Traffic congestion costs the U.S. $145 billion annually in wasted time, repairs and operating expenses according to TRIP, a national transportation research group. That’s an unnecessary burden that our economy is in no shape to bear.
Georgia is attempting to address this issue through its regional transportation initiatives that would allow regions to raise local matching funds for specific transportation projects.
Yet, Congress seems content to allow a deteriorating transportation system to shackle the nation’s economic rebound. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has drafted a bill assuming cuts of 30 percent in transportation funding for each of the next six years.
Such a move would cost Georgia $400 million annually and result in the loss of more than 86,000 construction jobs over that time, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Meanwhile, a Senate committee is drafting legislation that continues funding at current levels, but only for the next two years.
Either approach would serve to delay our nation’s emergence from its economic morass, and more specifically, would undermine Georgia’s own efforts to improve transportation infrastructure funding.
Economic growth depends on a transportation network that provides reliable, fast, safe and cost-effective performance. Increasingly, businesses must contend with complex supply chains and ever-lengthening travel times for their goods, not to mention their customers and employees. Safety concerns and environmental pollution add to our transportation woes.
Unless Congress provides sufficient transportation funding over a multi-year period, our economy will continue to stagnate from crumbling infrastructure, backed-up highways and gridlocked logistics.
As Georgians, we have thrived on the foundation of a top rated highway system and have one of the premier east coast ports at Savannah. But, economic viability depends on continued development of these foundations with a focus on the future. If goods can’t get from the port in Savannah, around Atlanta and on to markets throughout the United States, Georgia will lose this business and these jobs to other states and regions.
The current (and seventh) extension to the national transportation reauthorization, known as SAFETEA-LU, expires on Sept. 30. America doesn’t need yet another short-term fix. In order to make investments in equipment and employees, private industry needs the assurance of a long-term transportation commitment from the federal level. So do the states.
While “long-term” may conjure up an image of delayed or far-removed results, just the opposite is true. A long-term plan would have immediate economic impact because it would give the road construction industry assurance of future business opportunities. They would quickly begin spending money for heavy equipment and for stockpiling raw materials such as crushed stone. They could also hire employees without the fear of near-term layoffs. None of this happens under a two-year law.
Yes, new transportation projects will create thousands of new jobs in and of themselves, but that’s small potatoes compared to how improved transportation and logistics efficiency will boost our overall economic picture.
Congress should pass a long-term (at least six years), fully-funded (at least at current levels) surface transportation bill that allows for real road, bridge, rail and transit improvements.
It’s the best way to provide a far-reaching stimulus to our economy. And now is the time get more pavement per payment. Construction costs are at a low point, so state and local governments will get very competitive bids from contractors.
Our economy simply can’t grow as long as cars, trucks and trains can’t go. It’s time to get Georgia and the nation rolling again.
Jay M. Moreau is president of the south central division of Martin Marietta Materials.
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