CT faces daunting transportation issues
Q&A talks about the costs of Connecticut's decaying transportation infrastructure and opportunities to fix it with Carrie Rocha, Connecticut office leader and associate vice president of HNTB Corp., an infrastructure engineering firm.
Q: There has been a lot of talk about the decaying transportation infrastructure in the U.S. How bad of a situation is it? What would it cost to make us 100 percent in CT?
A: America's infrastructure is decaying, suffering from age and overuse. Dwindling federal funding, lower purchasing power from a gasoline tax that hasn't been raised since 1993, and more fuel-efficient cars have resulted in a nearly insolvent Highway Trust Fund unable to keep up with transportation demands.
The Federal Highway Administration reports 35 percent of Connecticut's 4,218 bridges are either 'structurally deficient' (378 bridges) or 'functionally obsolete' (1,079 bridges).
According to the American Society of Civil Engineer's 2013 infrastructure report card, 41 percent of Connecticut's major public roads are in poor condition.
The Texas Transportation Institute's 2014 Urban Mobility Scorecard calculates drivers in the Hartford area lose 45 hours per year due to congestion at an average annual cost of $1,038.
Gov. Malloy's transportation proposal involves a five-year ramp-up and $10 billion investment. His long term 30-year vision calls for $100 billion, which is needed to address all critical infrastructure preservation and modernization needs for roads, bridges and rail.
Q: What's it going to take to get transportation work paid for?
A: Congress has the opportunity to pass long-term, sustainable funding, which allows states to properly plan and implement comprehensive infrastructure programs. Through the Governor's Transportation Finance Panel, Connecticut is reviewing options for alternative revenue sources. We need dedicated, reliable revenue streams to meet the needs of transportation and avoid delays in executing these vital programs.
Q: Towns can't afford road improvements and neither can states like Connecticut. Plus, the federal government doesn't seem to want to support it at the necessary levels. Fuel taxes don't generate enough revenue. Are tolls the answer?
A: Tolls are a viable option other states are using effectively to help pay for their transportation programs. Modern tolling technologies reduce congestion, enhance safety and make paying the toll easy.
According to the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, toll roads are a proven source of alternative funding, currently used by 35 states and territories in the U.S.
Tolls routinely help fund large transportation projects and can be long-term revenue engines. Dedicated revenue generated by tolls in Connecticut could deliver net revenue of as much as $2.5 billion per year in 2014 dollars.
Q: Tolls, along with gas taxes, are user fees. Is that what makes them more amenable to people? Do they not seem to mind pay-as-you-go levies as much?
A: Tolls can be compared to utilities and health care. You pay for what you use.
A 2014 HNTB Corporation America THINKS national survey on tolling found 79 percent of Americans would support a toll on a non-tolled road if it resulted in a safer, congestion-free and more reliable trip. Sixty-one percent would back tolls as part of a transportation program's funding if there are insufficient funds from other sources.
Q: How do price-managed lanes work? Can they work within existing highways?
A: Priced-managed lanes, also called express lanes, are tolled lanes operating in the middle of non-tolled highways. Toll rates vary to ensure a reliable travel speed is maintained and the lanes function without congestion.
Benefits of priced-managed lanes include the ability to generate revenues for reinvestment into transportation infrastructure, reduced congestion and encouraging the adoption of multi-modal transportation options.
Using priced-managed lanes to control transportation demand and maximizing the lanes we have is part of the solution to our congestion challenges.
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