House Passes $275 Billion Federal Transportation Bill

Not Enough Money to Widen I-81

 

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2004

 

For More Information Contact:

Tiffany Hamby, Shenandoah Valley Network, 540-588-4107

 

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 3550 the Federal Transportation Bill with $275 billion in funding for U.S. transportation infrastructure for the next six years. The bill, which includes a provision for dedicated truck lanes, passed by a 357 to 65 vote. The proposed bill was $100 billion less than originally proposed, by Representative Don Young (R- Alaska). The bill is $19 billion higher than the White House requested and still faces a threat of veto by President Bush.

 

Only $910 million is included for construction of dedicated truck lanes nationwide and that money will come out of each state’s allocation.

 

Tiffany Hamby of the Shenandoah Valley Network stated, “Even with the inclusion of dedicated truck lanes in the Federal Transportation Bill, there is not enough money for a federal contribution to the I-81 widening as large as was anticipated. If any money is given to the I-81 project it will have to come from money granted to the state for all road projects.”

 

The Virginia Department of Transportation and STAR Solutions/Halliburton have proposed widening Interstate 81 to at least 8 lanes and up to 12 lanes in some places throughout its 325 miles from Bristol to the Maryland border. Residents, elected officials and business throughout the corridor have objected to the proposal based on both the extremely high cost and the negative impact on the Shenandoah Valley on Southwest Virginia. Over 35 jurisdictions have passed resolutions asking VDOT to consider other alternatives including freight rail and spot improvements. STAR Solutions and VDOT were counting on $800 million in this federal bill and another $800 million in the next federal transportation bill in 2010 as a key part of the project’s financing. That would be 87% of the federal truck lane funding for the expansion of Interstate 81.

 

In its February recommendation to use STAR Solutions as the contractor, the PPTA Advisory Panel noted that “the comprehensive agreement is contingent on the project receiving $800 million in the pending federal highway legislation.”

 

Hamby recommended a change in approach, “Especially since the federal money is not materializing, instead of committing to a controversial $13 billion doubling of I-81, the Governor should instruct VDOT to look at improved freight rail and spot improvements. These are investments that can reduce truck traffic and cost-effectively address current needs.”

 

With the federal contribution less than anticipated, if VDOT moves forward with the project it will place an even more significant financial burden on Virginians than already planned. Tolls or gas taxes would need to increase substantially to cover the gap in federal funding or more money would have to be taken from other transportation needs.

 

Hamby noted, “If VDOT moves forward with an 8-12 lane I-81 they will destroy the tourism value of the Shenandoah Valley and take money from other projects across Virginia.”

 

If the Governor and VDOT still commit to this $13 billion project, it will spell economic doom for Virginia. Virginia Transportation Secretary Whittington W. Clement has acknowledged that public-private partnerships are risky. Few toll roads in Virginia are in the black.

 

Hamby noted, “If Virginia moves forward with the expansion of I-81 at the level suggested and the project fails it will severely affect Virginia’s bond rating, place a significant financial burden on those in the I-81 corridor, and indefinitely postpone construction of other major road projects in the state.”

 

The federal transportation bill will be taken up by a House/Senate conference committee in April to resolve differences between the two bills.

 

Find a Trucking Job with a Private Carrier

 

Get More Information on Halliburton