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P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
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Forum on Transportation
Investment
issues report on funding options
Recommendations by a citizen's forum that focused on how to finance Idaho's growing transportation needs were accepted by the Idaho Transportation Board this week at its meeting in Boise.
The Forum on Transportation Investment examined Idaho's growing transportation needs and available options for financing and funding Idaho's transportation system during eight meetings spanning 17 months.
The report includes 12 conclusions and 14 recommendations to help shape future investments in the Idaho surface transportation system. Among immediate considerations are actions necessary to increase stagnated revenues to the Highway Distribution Account: the funding source for 57 percent of state transportation funding, 38 percent of local highway jurisdiction funding and 5 percent of state police funding.
Chaired by former state representative Jim Kempton, the Forum held its final meeting on Jan. 5 to finalize its report.
The Forum was composed of individuals representing diverse interests and backgrounds, including public agencies, transportation service providers, public transportation providers, stakeholders and elected officials. Virtually every stakeholder interest in Idaho surface transportation had a voice on the Forum through one or more members.
Created by the Idaho Transportation Board, the Forum started work in September 2004, following completion of the states 30-year transportation visioning process, a process that began with the 2003 survey and report Idaho's Transportation Future: "Getting There Together."
The Forum's charter noted that, in considering recommendations for shaping future investment in the Idaho surface transportation system, traditional funding, combined with new innovative financing mechanisms, would need to be integrated with efficient and responsive planning to meet the transportation expectations of a growing population.
In accepting the Forum's report, the Idaho Transportation Board authorized release of the report to elected officials, legislators and the general public.
The 12 conclusions are:
1. Continued explosive growth - Idaho's population will grow by 56 percent between 2000 and 2030 - twice the national average.
2. Transportation is essential to the economy - Transportation is the common denominator that ties everything together.
3. All levels of government are involved - Almost 300 jurisdictions have some role in the state's transportation network.
4. Funding shortfall needs immediate resolution - In 1995, the Idaho Highway Needs Assessment Study Update noted a backlog for all jurisdictions from 1994 through 2000 of $8.65 billion. Available revenue for that same period measured less than half of that amount.
5. Federal funding is not sufficient - Idaho must rely on its own solutions to transportation funding challenges and not have unrealistic expectations for a federal solution.
6. Thirty-year needs exceed $20 billion - The Forum queried all levels of transportation jurisdictions. The report identified a total of more than $20 billion.
7. The expected shortfall is greater than $200 million per year - While the recently established GARVEE bonding program will accelerate construction of some projects statewide, GARVEE does not address the substantial annual funding shortfall that is predicted for the next three decades.
8. Public transportation should be addressed - Idaho remains one of six states without a dedicated state revenue stream to support transit projects.
9. Revenue structure will not meet needs - The Forum found that no single revenue stream could be counted on to adequately address both state and local needs. In fact, the Forum's analysis found that multiple sources would be necessary to even come close to meeting funding requirements.
10. Freight movement is important - Freight growth across the nation will double in the next 20 years, with 88 percent of all commerce in commodities involving truck transportation on our highways.
11. Funding challenges require innovative solutions - The Forum concluded that Idaho's leaders should look beyond the obvious and determine if there are innovative solutions that could contribute to transportation funding.
12. Idaho must prepare for transition to alternative fuels - The advent of hybrid-fueled vehicles, as well as other new technologies, will diminish the taxes collected on fossil fuels.
"Forum conclusions indicate a growing gap between demand and revenue," Kempton observed. "Solutions are needed now. Ignoring transportation investment problems poorly situates the state for dealing with a growing population and unprecedented construction costs that are occurring now, and that will only increase over the next decade."
Published 1-20-06