Cities Losing Out in Transportation Bill Debate

URBAN NATION: Cities Losing Out in Transportation Bill Debate

Washington, D.C. | 06/20/2012 7:00am |
Ben Adler | Next American City


It looks as if the long overdue reauthorization of the Surface Transportation law may soon get a tenth temporary extension under current rules instead of a multi-year renewal. Either of the two likely outcomes — continued congressional paralysis or a law that cuts funding for mass transit, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations — will create a more difficult environment for cities.

Currently, the House and Senate are trying to hammer out a compromise in the Conference Committee. In March, the Senate passed a two-year renewal with bipartisan support that basically keeps current rules in place and covers the shortfall in funding from the gasoline tax with $12 billion in general revenues.

This is not the outcome transportation and smart growth advocates dreamed of when Democrats were in control of Congress. Back then, they harbored fantasies of addressing our massive infrastructure deficit with a larger investment and a shift in priorities toward projects that were evaluated on efficiency and environmental impact.

But they would rather have the Senate bill than the alternatives. At least a two-year bill would give cities some breathing room to undertake projects. When the law is only extended for a three or six months at a time, it hamstrings local governments. Major road and rail projects take years, and cities cannot begin a project if federal funding might dry up in a matter of months. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://americancity.org/daily/entry/urban-nation-cities-losing-out-in-transportation-bill-debate