MPC’s first fall roundtable examines the implications of the new federal transportation bill for Illinois
The
Metropolitan Planning Council’s fall roundtable series kicked off Monday, Oct.
31, at the Union League Club of Chicago. Highlighting the event was a
distinguished panel of government and industry experts who commented on the
significance of SAFETEA-LU (Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) and its implications for
Illinois
’ transportation
network. While they generally agreed
Illinois
fared well in the latest
transportation bill, funding gaps for important projects beg the need for
alternative funding solutions in light of current and future challenges.
Timothy
Martin, secretary of the Ill. Dept. of Transportation, began the panel session
praising SAFETEA-LU as “the right program, at the right level, at the right
time.” Comparatively,
Illinois
did exceptionally well – it is the
second largest receiver of above-the-line earmarks and claims an increase in
formula funds over the last transportation bill. The next step, Martin believes,
is the development of a state-level program to rein in more federal funds. But
before asking for more money,
Illinois
must prove that its system is being
exercised to its full potential. Martin claims that
Illinois
works toward
optimizing its resources as evidenced by programs like the reversal of
expressway lanes during morning and evening rush hours. Looking toward the
future, however, current infrastructure will be woefully inadequate in twenty
years: that is when a projected two million more residents will call the region
home. As the current second most congested area in the country, metropolitan
Chicago
would
clearly benefit from additional transportation dollars.
SAFETEA-LU,
while a boon for highways, does little to address the problems facing freight
rail in northern
Illinois
. At present, freight rail contributes
34,000 jobs and $22 billion annually to Chicagoland, making it vital to the
region’s economy. Yet chronic delays caused by shared track for passenger and
freight rail threatens the outsourcing of freight distribution by other means.
Citing improvements to the regional economy, environment, and passenger rail
delays, Paul Nowicki, assistant vice president of government and public policy
for BNSF, contends that “improving freight rail infrastructure is also a quality
of life issue.” As such, SAFETEA-LU’s commitment to CREATE, a project aimed at
making critically needed rail infrastructure improvements, was disappointing:
only a 10 percent commitment of the total project cost. Nevertheless, funding
for this program was precedent-setting as the first to ever receive programmed
federal funds for rail infrastructure improvement; giving way to optimism in
patience and persistence.
Echoing the
sentiments of Martin and Nowicki, James Reilly, chairman of the Regional
Transportation Authority (RTA), commented, “SAFETEA-LU gives the region a
chance, maybe the last chance, to loosen the stranglehold of congestion for our
region. Can we conjure up the vision and summon the will to make this happen?”
SAFETEA-LU is a giant step in right direction, he said, but without a shared
commitment for the future, congestion, pollution, and decreased quality of life
pose real threats. Reilly closed by saying that the only thing more costly and
painful than making the necessary investment would be not making the
investment.
Realistically, however,
the necessary investment is a huge undertaking at both the state and federal
level. With funding constraints plaguing transit, highway, and rail projects,
William Spurr, North American president for Bombardier Transportation, discussed the
way public and private entities can work together to ensure their
timely construction and completion. Bombardier’s recent involvement with projects
in
London
and
Seoul illustrates the benefits
of public-private partnerships (PPPs). For example, while farebox revenues
may cover operating costs, they seldom compensate for capital costs. With clear
financial incentives for the private sector, Spurr noted that significant
government contributions and well structured public-private collaboration can be
combined to form effective funding solutions.
Closing the event, roundtable attendees were treated to an appearance by U.S.
Sen. and Minority Whip, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Referencing an infrastructure
report card issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Durbin
stressed that bipartisan cooperation on crucial transportation issues is sorely
needed
in
Washington . Before leaving, Durbin threw caution to the wind about the recent
disclosure of oil companies’ soaring profits. Stating that the profits stand in
contrast to Americans’ struggles with rising fuel costs, Congress could decide to take
action on the issue.