Our view: Transportation funding drives economy

September 22, 2011

LaCrosse Tribune

Tribune Editorial Board

The next time you’re idling in a long line of traffic, ask yourself: Is it better to see orange cones marking construction zones or no cones at all?

Be careful what you wish for.

As the people elected to represent us on the local, state and federal levels contemplate budget priorities during trying economic times, there’s a well-founded fear that funding for transportation will be left by the wayside.

At a time when we’re trying to boost business and employment, this seems like the wrong time to let transportation funding drive off the cliff.

We’re not keeping pace with current transportation needs, and the amount we’re budgeting to fix roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the future clearly isn’t enough.

Sadly, the gap will grow if we proceed with the prospect of 35 percent cuts in federal transportation funding.

An Associated Press report last week stated that 21 states cut transportation funding last year.

Other highlights of the AP report:

More than one-fourth of the nearly 6,000 bridges in Pennsylvania are considered structurally deficient — the highest percentage of any state.

A Pew Center survey shows — not surprisingly — that two out of three respondents don’t want their state to cut highway funding; more than two-thirds don’t want to increase federal spending for transportation; only a fourth want to pay a higher gas-tax rate; yet three out of four believe spending on public works would create jobs.

Here’s the equation to watch: The federal gas tax has remained at 18.4 cents per gallon (24.4 cents for a gallon of diesel) at a time when people are driving less and buying vehicles that are more fuel efficient.

Aging infrastructure combined with growing population means challenging times ahead.

Craig Thompson, executive director of Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, visited our editorial board earlier this week and said the rhetoric and the reality don’t match.

As the two chambers of Congress debate future appropriations, Thompson says there’s clearly room to streamline the process of tackling transportation needs — and it can result in real savings.

But those savings alone can’t meet the rising need.

Unless we fix the problem, 40 percent of our nation’s major highways will be congested within 25 years, according to predictions from the Federal Highway Administration.

Of course, roadways aren’t the only transportation network that needs investment. Last week, an Economic Indicators forum in

La Crosse focused on the economic impact of shipping on the Mississippi River.

“A healthy transportation infrastructure is imperative for economic growth,” said Kent Pehler, CEO of Brennan Marine in La Crosse.

That includes better maintenance of our aging lock-and-dam system.

Here are more facts to consider about infrastructure needs in this country (and we’ll reveal the source in a moment):

One third of major roads are poor or mediocre; a fourth of bridges are deficient; air traffic control faces a major overhaul. Potential cost of lost business: $336 billion. Energy, water and telecommunications systems are in need of investment.

If you’re guessing that such information is coming from a liberal, tree-hugging think-tank, you’ll be surprised to know that it comes from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Here’s what the U.S. Chamber recommends for modernizing our infrastructure:
-Spur private investment and remove red tape.
-Invest in the ailing transportation and water infrastructure.
-Modernize and protect energy infrastructure.
-Update telecommunications infrastructure.

As the debate heats up, remember that investment can have a return.

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