16th Annual Regional Issues Forum

1
April 30, 2009
16th Annual Regional Issues Forum Federal
Funding Panel
Jon Edney President Elect
2
Purpose Today

• Regional challenges for 6 counties/189 cities
• What region is doing with ARRA funding
• Federal funding strategies SCAG pursuing in
  pending Climate change and surface transportation
  legislation

3
What is SCAG?

• Largest Metropolitan Planning Organization in US
• Largest Council of
  Governments in US
• Regional Transportation
  Planning
  
  Agency
• 6 counties
• 189 cities
• 19 million residents

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Our region faces major challenges

• Regional Roadway Speed
• 31 mph ? 27 mph

5
Our region faces major challenges

• Aging Infrastructure

6
Dramatic Increase in U.S. Maritime Trade
TEUs in thousands 2004 2020
1,776
4,478
Seattle
NY/NJ
1,798
1,809
Tacoma
Virginia
2,043
1,860
Oakland
13,101
Charleston
1,662
1,437
LA/LB
Savannah
1,010
Houston
Miami
Forecast figures based on 10-year linear
regression
7
The South Coast region continues to have the
worst air quality in the U.S.
Over 70 of the major pollutants contributing to
cancer risk in the South Coast Air Basin result
from diesel particulates
52 of all Americans exposed to harmful PM2.5
diesel particulate matter above the federal
standard live here
South Coast Air Basin
8
The 2008 Regional Transportation Plan
531.5 billion
(nominal dollars)
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Inside the RTP
System Completion and Expansion
Project Type Cost (Billions) Shor
t-Term Long-Term
Highway Improvements 48.0 77.2 Transit
Improvements 13.3 44.0 High-Speed Regional
Transport 0 29.1 Goods Movement
Strategies 2.7 36.4
Total 64.0 186.7
11.2 billion for FY08-09 and FY09-10
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Inside the RTP
Major Highway Projects

• HOV Gap Closures
• New Tolled Freeways
• Freeway Expansion

Dedicated Lanes for Clean Technology Trucks
San Bernardino
Riverside
Imperial
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Inside the RTP
Dedicated Lanes for Clean Technology
Trucks(Proposed Regional Toll Truck Lanes)

• Constrained RTP
• I-710
• Cost of 5 billion for truck lanes and 3 billion
  for mixed flow lane expansion (nominal)
• Need combination of tolls, container fees, public
  subsidies
• Strategic RTP
• East-West Corridor and I-15

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Inside the RTP
High-Speed Regional Transportation System
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Inside the RTP
Moving Freight Faster and Cleaner

• Additional Mainline Rail Capacity
• Locomotive Engine Upgrades
• Over 130 Grade Separation Projects
• 12.9 Billion

14
Inside the RTP
Rail Capacity Improvements
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The Stimulus Package
USA

• 787 billion

16
The Stimulus Package
USA
34.2 billion
for transportation
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The Stimulus Package
USA
SCAG Region
34.2 billion
1.5 billion
for transportation
for transportation
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SCAG Response to ARRA Challenges

• Use RTP projects to extent possible
• Maximize ARRA funds and job benefits to region
• Collaborate with other regions to maximize
  discretionary ARRA funds to California (1.5
  billion Discretionary and 8 B hi-speed rail)
• Expedite FTIP and RTP amendments to meet ARRA
  deadlines

19
ARRA-1.5 B processed to date

• Accelerated amendments for over 274 projects to
  date for 6 counties
• 174 projects existing funding accelerated
• 100 new projects accelerated

20
SCAG Next Steps on ARRA

• Developing regional project list for 1.5 b
  discretionary program (DOT guidelines out May
  16th) from 6 counties
• Coordination with other regions on 8 b hi-speed
  rail program (strategy issued by DOT by June
  15th)
• Monitor project obligation funding deadlines by 6
  counties to ensure funds are maximized for Calif.

21
SCAG Priorities for Surface Transportation
Reauthorization Legislation

• Support California priority principles
• Support CALCOG priority principles
• Focus on maximizing transportation funding
  programs for California region

22
Creation of a National Freight Trust Fund to
improve goods movement and mitigate goods
movement-related air quality impacts.

• Southern California handles 43 of all waterborne
  container trade in the U.S.
• The lack of a defined federal role addressing
  goods movement funding has created an unfunded
  federal trade mandate resulting in severe
  congestion, air quality, and safety impacts on 19
  million Southern California residents.
• A National Freight Trust Fund should be a
  dedicated, firewalled funding program based on a
  combination of sources (e.g. gas tax, user fees,
  bill of lading, customs fees, etc.) to fund only
  goods movement projects based on national need,
  performance, and merit.
• SCAGs goal is in partnership with the national
  Coalition for Americas Gateways and Trade
  Corridors (CAGTC) goal as well all the key
  Southern California stakeholder agencies.

23
Provide new incentive funding programs for a
cleaner environment

• President Obama, Chairman Waxman and Chairwoman
  Boxer have all indicated that greater
  sustainability is a national goal in the next
  bill.
• Investment transportation should be accompanied
  by technologies designed to reduce greenhouse
  gases, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and
  improve air quality.
• Funding incentives (rather than regulation)
  should be provided rather than further regulation.

24
Revise existing funding programs to ensure
funding equity for non- attainment areas.

• Equitable funding for newer systems- Current rail
  modernization formula disproportionally benefits
  older Tier 1 systems (70 of funds for only 11
  systems) and fails to consider the increasing
  maintenance needs of newer rail systems that
  though not as old, are not new. Revised formula
  should consider population, congestion and credit
  for non-attainment areas.
• Revise high density formula- This new program was
  added in the last bill to include high density
  formula using 370 persons/per square mile/state.
  Our agencies received 0 dollars despite the fact
  that the Southern California region has a
  population density of over 2,300 persons per
  square mile in the urban areas. The persons per
  square mile language should be revised to delete
  undeveloped/mountain areas in order for
  California to receive its fair share under this
  program

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Federal Timetable

• Do not see re-authorization or new surface
  transportation legislation bill until 2010
  (soonest)
• SAFETEA-LU extension's likely including
  adjustment for gas tax deficit (estimated
  currently 9 b) fall-winter 2009
• Climate Change legislation will continue through
  summer in House. Senate timetable more uncertain
  but very likely after surface transportation
  legislation.