Transportation Panel Focuses on AIR-21 and Rail Issues

By Kevin McCarty

Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth L. Barr convened the Conference’s Transportation and Communications Committee January 27 where mayors discussed aviation legislation and numerous rail issues with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater and Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene Molitoris.

On the pending multi-year aviation legislation, which is now before a House/Senate conference committee, Slater told the panel that “we can get this done this year.”  He also underscored the importance of this legislation to the U.S. economy, stating, “I believe aviation in the 21st Century is going to be as important as the Interstate System was to the latter half of this century.”  He expressed his hope that “we can close-out this Administration with a strong (aviation) bill.”  In commenting on the aviation bill, Slater noted that air cargo accounts for 3 percent of the total tonnage that is carried, but represents 45 percent of the value of all goods.

Slater joined with the mayors for a discussion of pending transportation matters.  He talked about Amtrak and the outlook for inter-city passenger rail.  “Amtrak is taking a number of steps toward self sufficiency.  The best days of Amtrak are yet to come.”  He also talked about the importance of this national rail system to the cities, “many of you are involved with rehabilitating old depots, making them the heart of revitalizing cities.”  In response to an inquiry on what the Secretary can do to support mayors in securing fuller advantage of TEA-21 dollars, Slater pointed out that he can’t usurp the governors’ authority but he can ensure that states are dealing with you as equal partners.  He also pledged to work further with the mayors on these issues.

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, chair of the Conference’s Energy and Environment Committee, underscored the need for policy reforms that recognize the value of public transit investment and land use decisions in achieving air quality, urging air credits for such local efforts.  Slater pledged to follow-up with the mayors on this issue.

FRA Administrator Molitoris reviewed three key initiatives before her agency, focusing on Amtrak, high-speed rail and proposed rules governing the use of train horns at highway-rail crossings.    She praised Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith for his involvement in working to promote “a vigorous Amtrak and national inter-city passenger rail system.”  She also reviewed efforts among the various regions to promote high-speed rail, noting that “within 24 months, a non-electric high-speed train will come on line.”  Molitoris also noted the status of FRA’s funding plans for high-speed rail and magnetic levitation transportation technology deployment.

Train Whistles

On train whistles, she explained her sensitivity to communities and their concerns about this issue.  Several mayors expressed concerns about the recent proposed rules governing locomotive horns at highway-rail grade crossings, urging the Administrator to work on changes in the final rule.

She asked the mayors to “work with us (FRA) through May,” adding that “I need your help” on developing the final rule.  She told the mayors that “this committee could give us help in crafting these rules.”

Urban Highways

Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic, the panel’s Vice Chair for Urban Highways, discussed an efforts underway in his city aimed at “rightsizing” a major urban highway, known as the Akron Innerbelt.  With a redesign of this highway, he explained that there is the potential “recapture approximately 25 acres of prime real estate immediately West of downtown.”

Plusquellic pointed out that the Conference doesn’t have a written policy on these matters and would be working with staff to develop a policy statement on the issue for action at the June Annual Meeting.

Aviation/AIR-21

Barr briefed the Committee on the status of pending aviation legislation, emphasizing the mayors’ continuing and strong support for the House-passed, bipartisan aviation renewal bill, known as AIR-21, being championed by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (PA).

Noting Shuster’s remarks to all of the mayors earlier that day, Barr said, “He is trying to do for aviation what he did with our help and support for highways and transit.  The biggest issue before us today is the pending aviation legislation.”

Barr also emphasized Chairman Shuster’s message at the morning plenary session.  “We need to get our Senators more energized on this legislation.  This will help push the Senate to deal with Chairman Shuster and reach an agreement that follows what is set forth in AIR-21,” he said.

Public Transit

Barr, who serves as the panel’s Vice Chair for Public Transit, reviewed several pending transit issues, emphasizing the growing interest in rail projects all across the country.  He said, “There are now about 200 such projects – in study and planning, engineering, or construction – and are commonly called ‘new starts.’”

He added that this is a challenging area for local areas, stating that “the pipeline of projects is far outpacing the roughly $1 billion that TEA-21 provided this year, and what is projected for the three remaining years of this legislation.”

In a related issue, Barr discussed the need to deliver better information from our State DOTs on where TEA-21 dollars are being invested.  He noted his testimony last year before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on this subject.  Barr also pointed out that Conference President and Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb had made this one of the key transportation priorities in his 10-point “Agenda for America’s Cities.”

Telecommunications Report

Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido, who serves as the Vice Chair for Telecommunications, provided the Committee members with a detailed written report on pending telecommunications issues.  He advised the Committee members to examine this information and advise him on any concerns pertaining to these matters following the meeting.

Also provided at the meeting was a detailed report by Mayor Smith, the Committee’s Vice Chair for Railroads and Passenger Rail, discussing the status of Amtrak and related rail issues.