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Contents
2017 Ports-to-Plains Report Card (click image)
As funding gap grows, how do we pay for transportation infrastructure?
While people generally support investing in transportation infrastructure, they fiercely oppose increases in user fees or taxes to support this investment. This funding problem is further compounded by the opaqueness of transportation revenue mechanisms such as the gas tax, which makes it difficult for the traveling public to easily discern how much they pay for infrastructure and what value they derive from it.
In the opening session of CTS’s 2017 research conference, Joung Lee, policy director at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), examined the latest direction in infrastructure funding at the federal level, offered examples of innovation happening at the state level, and discussed policy and political considerations when it comes to transportation revenue and financing tools.
“Currently, there is no political appetite to provide stable long-term funding for the Highway Trust Fund; however, the path we are on is simply not sustainable,” Lee explained. “The difference between the money going in and the money going out hasn’t matched since 2008, and in the last few years we’ve led a hand-to-mouth existence with general fund transfers. On top of that, the gas tax has lost significant purchasing power due to inflation—the price of nearly everything has increased, but the gas tax rate hasn’t been adjusted since 1993, which is the longest it has ever gone without being adjusted.”
Read on...
Arrington seeks federal assistance for I-27 expansion
Lubbock Congressman Jodey Arrington says he is advocating for federal money in West Texas. Specifically, for the Ports-to-Plains Corridor.
That project would connect I-27 to Laredo.
"We've got a lot of congestion on I-35 and other highways and bi-ways throughout the state, and we've got a tremendous amount of important product -- the food, fuel and fiber for this country -- has to make its way to the East and West coasts, and I can't think of a better investment to do that," Arrington said.
The congressman says he also wants to build out high speed internet infrastructure.
He says that's desperately needed in the many rural communities throughout District 19.
Full Story...
With change of destination to rid of the old ways of the train in disuse of Zaragoza, Morelos and Ciudad Acuña
In order to improve its connectivity between the Mazatlan-Acuña transnational highway with the Highway 57, the legislator of the PRI, Verónica Martínez García proposed the change of route to rid of the old railroad tracks that are in disuse in Zaragoza, Morelos and Acuña.
In support of a joint request made by members of the National Chamber of Industry, commerce, business organizations, tourism Sector and municipal governments of that region, the member made the request to the Institute of Administration and Valuations of national goods through a point of agreement presented at the rostrum, which was approved.
Verónica Martínez noted that in the northern region municipalities such as Zaragoza, Morelos and Acuña have roads obstructed by the old route of the train in disuse that, to change their destination, can become a great potential.
"These populations are blocked from north to south by the Ports to Plains highway project which begins in Canada and comes to prop up directly from the river, Texas, but when crossing to Acuña, there is no way for the goods to transit through the bottleneck that is generated in this area. "
In addition, she said, with the construction of this beltway, the wind towers can be built in the right of way of railroad tracks, generating electricity and guaranteeing operations friendly with the environment.
The PRI legislator recalled that the beltways serve a twofold purpose: they vent traffic from an urban center that is traversed by a long itinerary route and facilitates connectivity by transforming junctions into fast access routes.
Therefore, by changing the destination to the Beltway, competitiveness, economic growth and social welfare are strengthened by having state-of-the-art facilities in the road system, urban infrastructure and terrestrial communications.
Read on...
Extension of I-27/Ports-to-Plains Corridor
The proposed extension of Interstate 27 connects major West Texas population and economic centers including Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa and San Angelo in addition to numerous smaller communities.
Has your organization considered the resolution supporting the Extension of Interstate 27?
Have you individually added your name supporting the Resolution?
Please share with your Texas Friends!
Please click here to add your personal name to the Resolution in Support of Expansion on Interstate 27
Please click here to downland a draft organizational resolution for consideration by local governments and non-profit organizations. (Word Document)
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