Even with federal funds, Whitehouse says state needs to invest in roads

John Howell
Posted 7/2/15

In front of a mountain of reclaimed asphalt and a fleet of idled cement trucks, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse yesterday called on Senate Finance Committee Republicans to approve funding for the …

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Even with federal funds, Whitehouse says state needs to invest in roads

Posted

In front of a mountain of reclaimed asphalt and a fleet of idled cement trucks, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse yesterday called on Senate Finance Committee Republicans to approve funding for the federal Highway Trust Fund, which is set to expire on July 31. He said failure to approve the bill would be a “gut punch” to the economy “that is completely not necessary.”

Whitehouse was joined by union leaders and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at Cardi Construction offices and yard on Lincoln Avenue in Warwick to advocate for passage of the bill passed by the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. And he underscored the importance of the funding to the state and, in particular, the reconstruction of Rhode Island’s 6-10 Connector that is now about 50 years old.

The connector, which the Department of Transportation projects will cost $800 million with bus lanes and $400 million to $500 million without the lanes, is cited by Gov. Gina Raimondo as a critical component of her RhodeWorks project to repair state roads and bridges. The governor has proposed that large truck tolls pay for the program, estimated at $1.1 billion. Truck toll legislation has passed the Senate, but House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello is opposed to the bill as now configured, and with the General Assembly in recess the proposal is in limbo.

But Whitehouse says the state shouldn’t hang its hat on the federal funding that could pay as much as 80 percent of project costs.

Even if the bill should pass and the state successfully bid on funding, Whitehouse urged state leaders not to abandon a state program to address roads and bridges.

“It’s important for Rhode Island to make its own investment. I hope they will continue it,” he said. He added even with federal funding, there’s a large hole left.

According to a release issued by Whitehouse’s office, the six-year EPW bill would boost the funding provided to states by more than $2.7 billion in FY 2016, a more than 7 percent increase, with additional increases over the remaining five years to account for inflation. Rhode Island, which received $211 million in FY 2014, the last full year of authorized highway funding, could expect to receive $226 million next year under this bill.

The bill would provide a total of $2.4 billion over six years for the Assistance for Major Projects Program, which would be delivered to states through competitive grants.

The senator also noted that, according to a report compiled last year by the White House, Rhode Island had the highest percentage of deficient or obsolete bridges in America and was tied for the highest percentage of roads in poor condition. And, according to the transportation research group TRIP, driving on roads in need of repair costs Rhode Island motorists $478 million a year – $637 per motorist – in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs.

Stephen A. Cardi, secretary and treasurer of the construction company who hosted the press conference, noted that road construction projects not only serve to put people back to work but also give the state a “capital asset” on which to build.

Whitehouse said Democratic senators were making similar appeals in their states, calling on Senate Finance Committee Republicans to find a means of funding the bill. President Obama has put forth a plan, which hasn’t been endorsed by Republicans.

Comments

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  • allent

    unions looking to gorge at the trough again

    Thursday, July 2, 2015 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    One hand on a shoulder, Whitehouse's hand in a pocket looking for that contribution.

    Friday, July 3, 2015 Report this

  • JohnStark

    Ugh! A few points here:

    Why is it that liberal democrats have never seen a problem that more money won't fix? First, New Hampshire has the same number of DOT employees to oversee 17,000 miles of state highways as Rhode island, which has only 1100 miles of state highways. Condition of NH highways: Good. Condition of RI highways: Deplorable.

    Second, NH collects $143M in state gas taxes in order to maintain those 17,000 miles, or $8400 per mile. RI collects $117M in state gas taxes in order to maintain those 1100 miles, or $106,000 per mile. This is simply incredible!

    Third, RI will now index it's gas tax to the rate of inflation. Hence, automatic increases without a vote. Massachusetts recently tried this and it was shot down by voters as an act of political cowardice. Ditto, NH. If you want to hike taxes in other states, you do it publically. In RI, you simply count on people not paying attention.

    The condition of RI's roads is not, and never has been a function of the amount of taxpayer "investments". Rather, it is a function of the prudent use of those "investments". And the prudent use of public funds in RI remains a contradiction in terms.

    Friday, July 3, 2015 Report this