Major change is not in the picture in D.C. these days. Congress continues to kick a new five-year reauthorization bill down the road because there's not nearly enough revenue to fund it. What's needed is a hike in the federal gas tax, which hasn't occurred in 17 years. Politicians are in no mood to discuss tax increases. Various plans to replace and/or supplement the fuel tax with a "miles traveled" tax system haven't gained serious traction. A major national study that outlined incremental change and would have brought solutions was dismissed by the Bush administration a few years ago and has yet to be resurrected.
Now, the Obama administration is more determined to promote mass transit and other forms of transportation. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood just last week announced new policies would "put non-motorized transportation on equal footing with motorized transportation." I'm all for biking and walking, but someone might want to tell Secretary LaHood that it takes a lot of bicycles to carry the same cargo as a tractor-trailer. After loud complaints by a national trucking group, LaHood backed away from those comments.
It's been nearly three years since the Interstate bridge in Minneapolis collapsed due to age and lack of necessary maintenance. How many bridges need to fail and kill motorists before D.C. gets serious about highway funding?
Any thoughts on bicycles and bicycle routes in western Kentucky cities?
ReplyDeleteNibby Priest
Downtown Henderson KY
I'm all for bicycle routes but don't believe they should be funded at the expense of motorized transportation concerns. Good to see you a few weeks ago, Nibby.
ReplyDelete