Page 26 - Nov-Dec 2019 Vol37 No5
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Andrea Eales, APWA Director of Government Affairs
APWA: Surface Transportation
Reauthorization Priorities
The American Public Works Association (APWA) traveled on our nation’s roads have increased by 40%.
believes it is imperative that we work together to
make our transportation infrastructure safer and To maintain our economic quality of life, APWA
less congested. In doing so, APWA recommends the joins many organizations in strongly urging Congress
following priority areas in development of the next to:
federal transportation legislation to succeed the Fixing
America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act: • Increase and index the federal motor fuel tax by 25
cents in the short-term;
FUNDING: Increase the federal motor fuel tax, and
provide a more stable, long-term revenue source for • Transition to a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) or
our national and regional multi-modal transportation similar user fee as soon as possible; and
systems;
• Enact a federal transportation reauthorization bill
STREAMLINING: Eliminate unnecessary, duplicative, that is a minimum of 6 years long.
and burdensome requirements that delay the delivery
of critical transportation improvements; and APWA represents over 30,000 public works
professionals across North America dedicated to
SAFETY: Increase the emphasis on safety for all providing essential and high-quality services to millions
transportation system users. of people in rural and urban communities, both small
and large. APWA members serve in both the public and
Current federal funding for transportation private sectors providing expertise to the local, state,
infrastructure is not enough to support our economy, and federal government levels. Working in the public
maintain the existing transportation system, or to interest, our members plan, design, build, operate, and
improve its safety and efficiency. Studies by two federal maintain our vast transportation network, as well as
commissions (National Surface Transportation Policy and other key infrastructure assets essential to our nation’s
Revenue Study Commission (January 2008 report) and economy and way of life.
National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing
Commission (February 2009 report)), as well as several Local governments own and maintain approximately
engineering and business organizations, confirm this 75 percent of the Nation’s four million-mile roadway
finding. The federal motor fuel tax, which has not network, 51 percent of the Nation’s bridges (nearly
been increased since 1993, has lost more than 56% of 300,000), and manage 90 percent of our transit systems.
its construction purchasing power while vehicle miles Almost every trip begins and ends on a local road,
street, or sidewalk.
PRIORITY: FUNDING years in length, with funding above FY2019 levels.
Our aging roads and bridges are deteriorating,
Investment in transportation projects is a proven
traffic is increasing, and deaths on our roads are way to create jobs. The Federal Highway Administration
unacceptably high. Our nation cannot remain (FHWA) estimates that every $1 billion invested in
economically competitive if our transportation network transportation generates about 27,800 jobs and up to $6
is not maintained and improved. APWA believes billion in gross domestic product.
increased investment in our country’s transportation
infrastructure is critical to protecting and enhancing APWA supports Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
economic development in the U.S. We can wait (DBE) efforts and recommends standardization of the
no longer. Funding should be focused on safety U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies’
improvements, maintenance, and modernization of DBE requirements across the Federal Highway, Transit,
existing infrastructure. For efficient planning and and Railroad Administrations to enhance those efforts.
expenditure of funding, it is imperative that the next
federal transportation legislation is a minimum of 6 To improve funding for our surface
transportation systems, APWA makes the following
26 TPW November/December 2019 recommendations:
