Press Releases and Newsletters
NCDOT Presentation on Complete Streets Policy
I attended the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Coordinating Committee meeting Friday where Charlotte Transportation Director Danny Pleasant shared the local perspective and NCDOT Deputy Secretary Jim Westmoreland the NCDOT perspective on NCDOT’s new Complete Streets Policy. You can view both presentation’s by clicking here.
U.S. transportation secretary says Oberstar bill must wait (NPR)
U.S. transportation secretary says Oberstar bill must wait (NPR)
by Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio
October 15, 2009
St. Paul, Minn. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood voiced the White House’s opposition Thursday to the speedy passage of Rep. James Oberstar’s $500 billion six-year federal transportation bill.
In an interview with All Things Considered, LaHood said the White House continues to support an 18-month extension of the existing federal transportation bill.
“When the bill expired at the end of September, there was no way we were going to find $500 billion to do the kind of bill that the president wants, that Ray LaHood wants, that Jim Oberstar wants, that the vast majority of Congress wants,” he said. “That’s why we asked for the extension.”
Minnesota DFL Congressman Oberstar continues to oppose an extension, and wants Congress to pass a new bill this year. Oberstar chairs the House Transportation Committee, and has been a vocal advocate for increased transportation funding.
On Thursday, LaHood also reiterated his opposition to Oberstar’s proposed 10-cent gasoline tax, which Oberstar has said would partially fund the bill.
“We have a lousy economy,” LaHood said. “This is not the time to be telling people we’re going to raise gasoline taxes.”
Despite these objections, LaHood said that he supports the content of Oberstar’s bill.
“He’s put together a very good bill,” LaHood said. “We don’t disagree with anything that’s in the bill.”
LaHood was in Minnesota Thursday to deliver a speech at the Economic Club of Minnesota. He also toured Union Depot in St. Paul, the future site of a federally-funded transportation hub.
Broadcast Dates
All Things Considered, 10/15/2009, 5:35 p.m.
Burlington Mayor Wall Appointed To Board of Transportation (News and Observer)
Not all Perdue’s BOT picks big givers (News and Observer)
Submitted by bniolet on October 16, 2009 – 8:49am.
Campaign finance records reveal varied political pedigrees for Gov. Beverly Perdue’s newest picks for the state Board of Transportation.
Perdue is reappointing one board member who was a major contributor in her run for governor, Bruce Siceloff and David Raynor report. She is naming four new members including one who supported her Democratic primary rival and never contributed to Perdue’s campaign.
J. Gary Ciccone of Fayetteville, to succeed Mac Campbell in Division 6. Ciccone, a commercial real estate developer, chairs a bank board and has been a political contributor to two of its members: Sen. Tony Rand of Fayetteville, the Senate majority leader ($1,000 in 2008), and former Sen. Oscar Harris, who was Perdue’s campaign treasurer ($500 in 2004).
Ciccone gave heavily to former Gov. Mike Easley and then backed Perdue’s Democratic primary rival, Richard Moore, before giving Perdue’s campaign $1,000 in late 2007.
David L. Burns of Laurinburg, an agribusiness executive, to succeed G.R. Kindley in Division 8. Burns supported Easley and gave Moore’s campaign $1,000 in 2007, but records show no contributions to Perdue.
Burlington Mayor Ronnie K. Wall, assistant superintendent for Burlington-Alamance schools, to succeed Tony Dennis of Norwood as at-large board member for government-related finance and accounting. Wall gave Perdue’s campaign $1,000.
Sam Halsey of Jefferson, to succeed Arnold Lakey in Division 11: Halsey, a Christmas tree farmer and retired auto dealer, was a major Easley backer. He gave Perdue $200 in 2000, when she ran for lieutenant governor, and $500 in March.
Stan White of Nag’s Head, reappointed to Division 1: White is a builder and Realtor, and his wife gave Perdue $6,000 in 2007 and 2008.
http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/not_all_perdues_bot_picks_big_givers
Dallas considers plans for downtown streetcar line (The Dallas Morning News)
Dallas considers plans for downtown streetcar line (The Dallas Morning News)
By RUDOLPH BUSH
Dallas could have a downtown streetcar system up and running within five years if an ambitious plan being hashed out at City Hall becomes reality.
City Hall still hopes to build the line with the help of federal and state funds. But many City Council members appear ready to have Dallas go it alone, likely by issuing tens of millions of dollars in bonds backed by anticipated growth in downtown property tax revenues.
“That’s exactly what we’re investigating now. We have to figure out the route, the cost and the physical challenges. Then we have to figure out what level of development each
Under the plan, the bonds could fund construction of the line even as taxes from rising property values helped fund its operation.
It is unclear at this point, however, whether the city can raise enough bond money for the cost of building the line or whether it will have to seek outside funding to fill in the gap that city money can’t cover.
Linda Koop, chairman of the council’s transportation committee, appeared confident the funding question will be answered in a matter of months and the council can begin the process of ordering Dallas’ streetcars.
“We’re hoping to have it up and running in 4 ½ years,” Koop said.
Koop estimated the cost of building a downtown streetcar line at around $80 million, a preliminary figure that surely will change as details of the project are set.
So far, there is no money to build the line, but the city has received $10 million from the Regional Transportation Council to design it.
The design work has moved quickly, and though a final downtown alignment has not been set, Koop said it is largely complete and simply requires refinement.
The route under discussion would run in roughly a Z-shaped loop from the Woodall Rodgers Deck Park, past the Municipal Courts building to the city’s Convention Center hotel and back.
Among the remaining sticking points is whether to run the line down Main, Elm or Commerce streets, Koop said.
Building the line is a relatively quick process, involving digging trenches about 18 inches deep in streets for tracks and running electrical wires overhead for power.
The cars are a different matter, and Koop estimates that from the time Dallas places an order for its cars, it will take more than three years to design and construct them.
Hunt said Dallas is in discussions with Fort Worth, where a streetcar system is also in the works, to purchase cars with similar designs in an effort to minimize costs.
At a meeting of the transportation committee Monday, council members hashed out how financing might work for the proposed line.
It appears it would rely heavily on two funding sources: tax increment financing and public improvement district dollars.
Council members expect a streetcar line would significantly improve property values around its stops.
Additional tax revenue from growing values could be devoted to paying off bonds sold to fund the line.
Though the city would own the line, it is expected that DART will oversee its construction and operation and have a say in its governance through seats on a board of directors established specifically for the line.
While focus at City Hall is now on the downtown streetcar line, there is also movement to create a master plan to expand lines through downtown’s adjoining neighborhoods.
Koop is working to form committees for five districts around downtown to study possible routes and financing for an expanded streetcar system.
The committees will include a council member and representatives from businesses and neighborhoods in the corridors.
12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 14, 2009
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-streetcars_14met.ART.State.Edition2.4c188c3.html
Apportionment of Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Funds Under a 31-Day Extension of Surface Transportation Programs Pursuant to Public Law 111-68
Apportionment of Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Funds Under a 31-Day Extension of Surface Transportation Programs Pursuant to Public Law 111-68
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices/n4510713.htm
Study: Wake, Durham, Johnston to gain legislative seats (WRAL.com)
Study: Wake, Durham, Johnston to gain legislative seats (WRAL.com)
Raleigh, N.C. — The Triangle’s population boom could translate into more political power after next year, according to a statewide analysis by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
UNC’s Program on Public Life used Census Bureau population projections to determine the possible breakdown of House and Senate seats following the 2010 session. Lawmakers will use data from next year’s census to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts in 2011.
“Through this decade, the metropolitanization of North Carolina intensified. As a result, the prospect is for Wake and Mecklenburg counties, as well as for neighboring counties in their regions, to gain additional seats in the state House and Senate,” the report states.
Wake County, which grew by 50 percent over the last decade, stands to gain one Senate seat and at least two House seats, according to the report. Durham and Johnston counties should each pick up a Senate seat, while Cumberland County could gain a Senate seat but lose a House seat.
After the 2000 Census, the state’s 50 Senate districts had an ideal population of about 161,000, and the 120 House districts were drawn to have about 67,000 people each. In 2010, Senate districts will grow to encompass a population of more than 191,000 and House districts of nearly 80,000.
“In the process of redistricting, legislators will inevitably consider the interests of incumbents and of their political parties, but they also must adhere to the rules embedded in laws and court cases,” the report states.
Posted: Oct. 13 12:36 p.m.
Redistricting: Just Down the Road (NC DataNet)
Redistricting: Just Down the Road (NC DataNet)
Ferrel Guillory and Lewis McCorkle
The state legislators elected in 2010 will have the job of drawing new congressional and legislative district lines in mid-2011. In addition to the economic recession that weighed so heavily on state budgeting in the recent legislative session, this political reality creates the context of both Democratic and Republican strategy and decision making in the General Assembly and in their preparations for next year’s campaigns.
Another reality will also shape redistricting: both the growth and shifting of our state’s population. Through this decade, the metropolitanization of North Carolina intensified. As a result, the prospect is for Wake and Mecklenburg counties, as well as for neighboring counties in their regions, to gain additional seats in the state House and Senate.
Highlights:
Wake County has grown by nearly 50 percent. Thus, as the accompanying chart shows, it will qualify for 11.73 House seats and 4.89 Senate seats. Wake is likely to gain two House seats and one Senate seat. Neighboring Durham (23 percent growth) and Johnston (43 percent) are also positioned to gain representation, either full seats or greater voting influence in districts.
Mecklenburg County has grown 31 percent, while nearby Union has grown 70 percent and Cabarrus 40 percent. Mecklenburg qualifies for at least one and perhaps two House seats, while Union and Cabarrus also are positioned to gain legislative strength. Indeed, as this metro area illustrates, some legislative battles may arise within metro areas over how to assign voters between core counties and their suburbs.
The counties in the Triad have gained in population, but all at a lower rate than the state as a whole. Therefore, Guilford, Forsyth and their neighboring counties will face the prospect of attempting to hold their own current legislative representation.
The metro area centered around Wilmington also appears positioned to gain representation: Brunswick has grown by 50 percent, Pender 34 percent and New Hanover 23 percent. While Cumberland County appears to have lost ground in its legislative share, nearby Harnett and Hoke counties have both gained.
White House Budget To Invest In “Place” Rather Than “People”
New White House Memo: Developing Effective Place-Based Policies for the FY 2011 Budget
The new White House memo (link below) is significant because it went to all executive departments/agencies and was authored jointly by the heads of OMB (Peter Orszag), the Domestic Policy Council (Melody Barnes), the Office of Urban Affairs (Adolfo Carrion), and the National Economic Council (Larry Summers). It is unusual for so many presidential advisors sign onto a policy statement.
Essentially, the document’s five pages describe how the administration plans to begin investing in PLACE again, as opposed to PEOPLE, which has been the focus of federal domestic funding ideas for the past several decades. To drive home this shift in thinking, the document states, “Our immediate objective is to develop proposals for the FY2011 Budget that advance this Administration’s policy priorities in the most effective ways whether by improving place-based strategies already operating or by adopting such strategies…OMB will weigh these questions throughout the process of policy development for the President’s 2011 Budget.”
This is significant because cities are often focused on investing in physical infrastructure or “place.” Perhaps we might see some effects on our cities’ bottom lines from the federal funding level. Stay tuned.
NC Board of Transportation Meeting Oct. 7, 2009
NC Board of Transportation Meeting Oct. 7, 2009
Key Information by Jim Humphrey, City of Charlotte
1. The NCDOT has responded to comments regarding it’s draft Subdivision Roads Manual. The manual regulates the design of subdivision/secondary roads. Copies of the manual and NCDOT response were handed to board members. They will be asked to approve the manual at the November meeting. I indicated to Dilbert Roddenbury, state Secondary Roads Manager, that Charlotte staff continues to have concerns.
2. Ethics rules have been changed for NCDOT to effectively not allow them to accept any gift, even if they have no role in selecting vendors. The BOT and staff will undergo training. I understand that they will not even be allowed to travel with someone outside the department.
3. NCDOT staff will be implementing a process to develop a draft Sustainability Action Plan. A senior management advisory group will be formed to oversee the process. Work will start immediately and the draft Action Plan should be developed soon after the first of next year. Lacy Love heads this initiative.
4. Revenues and spending at NCDOT are down. The revenue shortfall (2% down) was expected. The department plans to gear up work to spend available funds.
5. Mark Foster explained federal rescission. The current rescission is larger than in the past ($250m) but will not affect any existing TIP projects. Some of the rules have been changed which result in reducing flexibility NCDOT has had in the past regarding how to manage funding cuts. NC had the 10th largest rescission.
6. Powell Bill funds were distributed to 507 cities/towns. Revenues were down 4% from last year.
7. Don Lee, State Roadside Environmental Engineer, discussed the state’s first “Green” Rest Area located on US 421 in Wilkes County. It includes bio-retention, Xeriscape landscaping strategies, special lighting, geothermal heating/cooling and many other features. I was particularly impressed with the degree of monitoring/evaluation that was being done/planned. I will send info to Charlotte’s Building Management/Construction folks. Other cities may find this subject of interest.
8. Kevin Lacy and Sara O’Brien gave an overview of the 2009 Safe Routes to Schools funding allocations which provides $15.6m for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. All Divisions in the state have projects.
9. Tom Norman, state Pedestrian and Bicycling Manager indicated they are monitoring many stimulus projects across the state. They are encountering problems because designs submitted to them are creating liability and safety issues. For example, not meeting ADA requirements. He feels training to municipalities is needed. He also indicated the first regional bicycle plan nears completion for the Lake Norman area. The next plan to be developed will be in the New Bern area.
10. Rodger Rochelle, Transportation Management Branch Manager, presented info on a public/private partnership for staffing a visitor center in Randolph Counties. A private provider staffs and maintains the facility at no cost to the NCDOT using money received from leasing/renting private sponsorship space.
11. On a Charlotte note, Miriam Perry indicated the NCDOT share of funding for engineering work for the Blue Line to NE Charlotte was on the Board’s agenda for approval. There was also a grant for some work at the Eastland Station.
12. David Joynor’s wife died. David heads the NC Turnpike Authority.
13. Future items on the Safety and Emerging Issues Committee include Improving the Appearance of Noise Walls and Rules Governing Golf Carts on Public Roads.
Arizona DOT to Close Dozens of Offices, Rest Areas
ADOT implements $100 million plan to address budget shortfall
Closure of some rest areas, customer services offices to begin
PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is facing a $100 million budget shortfall that will require further reductions in services, office closures, highway construction, maintenance and staff.
ADOT’s plan to reduce its use of state highway funds by 25 percent includes the temporary closure of 13 highway rest areas, shutting down 12 Motor Vehicle Division field offices, deferring $370 million in highway construction projects, deferring maintenance activities, consolidating customer services, and a 10 percent staff reduction.
“More than $500 milliion in transportation funding has been diverted in the past year to address the state’s budget challenges. ADOT’s customers pay their own way by using transportation services, but because the state is using transportation funds to pay for other needs and people are buying less fuel and fewer vehicles, we are simply running out of money,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski.
Implementation of the budget-reduction plan will begin this month and stretches across all of ADOT’s operational areas.
The most immediate signs of ADOT’s actions to weather the “perfect storm” will be at highway rest areas. Beginning the week of October 19, operations at 13 rest areas will be suspended leaving five ADOT and more than a dozen non-ADOT operated rest areas along the highway system. Rest areas impacted are: Bouse Wash, Canoa Ranch, Ehrenberg, Hassayampa, Haviland, Mazatzal, McGuireville, Meteor Crater, Mohawk, Parks, Salt River Canyon, San Simon, and Sacaton. Two of these facilities – Mazatzal and Salt River Canyon – are already closed due to water system issues.
When these rest stops are closed, they will be completely inaccessible with all services shut down, but there will be a presence of ADOT and Department of Public Safety personnel. Maps are available at www.azdot.gov/BudgetRoadmap showing the nearest location for services from each of the closed rest areas – in some cases, only miles away.
To help address the needs of drivers with reduced opportunities for rest when on the road, ADOT also will develop a program in partnership with businesses to welcome travelers to stop and use restroom facilities free of charge.
For driver services, up to 12 Motor Vehicle Division offices around the state are being considered to close, following a facilities review now underway. Proximity to other offices or third-party outlets will be used to help identify the offices scheduled for closure. Saturday office hours will be eliminated effective November 1 to focus customer service staff on the busy weekdays.
ADOT will continue to provide online services offered through www.ServiceArizona.com and through 140 third-party vendors statewide, giving customers alternatives to visiting a MVD office. To find a third-party office visit www.azmvdservices.com.
While ADOT received $350 million in federal funding for “shovel ready” projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, state funding for other projects will be cut by $370 million over the next four years. The challenge ahead: Arizona must have sufficient state highway money to match federal transportation funding collected through gas taxes. Without matching funds, Arizona risks losing its share of federal funds, meaning gas taxes paid by Arizonans would fund improvements in other states.
In the 2009 fiscal year, ADOT used all of its federally allocated funding.
“Drivers will continue to see projects being built across the state because the federal government sends money to Arizona for highway construction,” Halikowski said. “That money is restricted by federal and state laws to pay for construction activities and cannot be used for general operations, such as MVD services.”
Highway maintenance activities will focus on safety, like emergency response, snow and ice removal, and emergency repairs. Maintenance activities to keep state highways operational, including landscaping and graffiti removal, will occur less frequently or not at all. Maintenance activities at the state-run Grand Canyon Airport also will be limited to focus on airfield safety.
“All of this deferred maintenance and construction work will have to be done at some point,” Halikowski said. “These needs are not going away but we recognize the responsibility to address short-term financial issues while prioritizing what must be done. Drivers will notice a difference, unfortunately.”
This is the second year of major cost reductions for ADOT. Last fiscal year, ADOT aggressively took action to cut $60 million by reducing employee expenses, requiring employees to furlough one work day per pay period, cutting highway maintenance activities, reducing operational costs, and eliminating consultants and other support costs.
For more information on the impacts of the 2010 budget, visit www.azdot.gov/BudgetRoadmap.
October 8, 2009
http://www.azdot.gov/CCPartnerships/News/NRel2397.asp
