06 24 13 news by ARTBA

Newsline Washington

JUNE 24, 2013

House Committee to Act on FY 2014 Transportation Funding Proposal

The House Transportation Housing & Urban Development Subcommittee June 19 approved a FY 2014 appropriations bill that fully funds the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) commitments from the 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The measure, passed by a voice vote without amendments, is scheduled to be voted on by the full House Appropriations Committee June 26. Continued on page 2

House Panel Tackles Hours of Service Rule Members of the House Highways & Transit Subcommittee from both parties took issue June 18 with the Obama Administration’s revisions to the commercial driver hours of service regulation set to go into effect July 1. While the regulation is intended to prevent accidents due to driver fatigue, the directive takes a “one size

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ARTBA members who register for the 2013 National Convention before July 15 will save $100 off the registration fee. The event, now in its 110th year, is being held at the historic Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wis. September 8-10. Keynote speaker Joe Calloway, author of the new book, “Be the Best at What Matters Most,” will lead an interactive discussion on how markets are won by companies that outperform the fundamentals and how

to create relationships that become partnerships. Fox News analyst Jim Pinkerton will make the case for boosting federal transportation investment. The program includes a panel session with senior executives at some of the nation’s top engineering, equipment manufacturing, materials and contractor firms who will share their perspective on “big picture” issues likely to impact the industry’s future. ARTBA’s top government affairs, legal and regulatory, and economics

staff will also provide briefings in their respective areas of expertise. Make sure to pack a pair of jeans and your leather jacket, because on September 9 the ARTBA Political Action Team will host a reception at the world famous Harley-Davidson Museum. To register and view the full program visit www. artbanationalconvention.org.

FY 2014 Transportation Funding Proposal

Changes in Economic Indicators

Continued from page 1 16

The bill would provide $40.3 billion for the core federal highway program—a $600 million increase from FY 2013. The proposal would also fully fund the MAP21 transit formula program at $8.6 billion and would provide $1.8 billion for transit capital grants—$92 million less than MAP21 authorized and $166 million less than was invested in FY 2012. Transit formula funds are supported by the HTF Transit Account, while the capitol program is a general fund activity. The House proposal would also provide $3.35 billion for the Airport Improvement Program—the level of investment called for in the 2012 reauthorization of the federal aviation programs.

Percent Change From Last Quarter Seasonally Adjusted

12 10 7.3

8 6

4.1

1.8

2 0

0.6

ARTBA National Convention September 8-10 Milwaukee, Wis. [Add to Calendar]

Dr. J. Don Brock TransOvationTM Workshop & Awards Program October 28-30 San Jose, Calif. [Add to Calendar]

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0.9 2013-‐I Transporta9on Equipment Investment

All Personal Consump9on

Transporta9on Spending

Source: June 2013 Survey of Current Business

Following the fall in unemployment, personal consumption was up 3.4 percent from the last quarter in 2012 (Source: Survey of Current Business). Spending on services was up 3.1 percent, while personal transportation expenditures were up 3.4 percent. Transportation expenditures were the third fastest growing service category, after financial services and housing and utilities. Private fixed investment was also up 4.1 percent from the last quarter of 2012, though investment in transportation equipment was only up 0.9 percent. Overall, GDP was up 2.4 percent compared to the last quarter of 2012.

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July 24-26 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]

3.4

2012-‐IV Private Fixed Investment

Upcoming Events 25th Annual ARTBA P3 Conference

3.4

Local Transportation Management Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase (LoTransTM 2013) November 19-20 [Add to Calendar]

Regional Meetings

Western: December 2-3, Austin, Texas Central: December 4-5, St. Louis, Mo. Southern: December 9-10, Charlotte, N.C. Northeastern: December 11-12, Baltimore, Md.

2013

Chicago Riverwalk Gets First Loan in Expanded TIFIA Program The city of Chicago has announced it has received a $99 million dollar Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) to complete a pedestrian/bikepath project along the Chicago River. The total cost of the project is $440 million, including several recreational amenities. The loan represents the first financial commitment as part of TIFIA’s newly expanded budget authority under MAP-21, which increased the program from $122 million in FY 2012 to $750 million in FY 2013 and $1 billion in FY 2014. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced

July 31, 2012, the availability of the full $1.75 billion in MAP-21 budget authority, which generated letters of interest totaling $42 billion in total project costs, including 22 road and bridge improvements, four transit developments and a variety of other proposed investments, including construction of a consolidated rental car facility, tourbus purchases, and the Chicago Riverwalk project. The budgetary cost of providing TIFIA credit assistance is historically about 10 percent of the cost of the loan—or in the Chicago Riverwalk case about $10 million. That leaves approximately $740 million left in budget authority for other projects

in FY 2013 and $1 billion in FY 2014. U.S. DOT has been notably quiet about the Riverwalk project receiving the first loan in the expanded TIFIA era. Reports indicate there are several other TIFIA agreements approaching an announcement this summer.

NASTO Engineering Issues Breakfast

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ARTBA held its annual Engineering Issues Breakfast at the Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) regional conference in Portland, Maine, on June 11. ARTBA hosts a breakfast or lunch event at each of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials regional meetings, bringing together members of the ARTBA Planning & Design Division with state DOT leaders for updates on transportation programs and opportunities in each of the states.

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Overheard “America’s greatness has always rested on our ability to build and produce things. Under the Obama administration, however, it’s become harder than ever to build in this country… Meanwhile, the Hoover Dam, the Golden Gate Bridge, or even our highway system would be almost impossible to build in today’s regulatory environment.“ Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) in a June 20 address to the National Association of Manufacturers. “We clearly need to modernize our infrastructure, including better roads and bridges, smarter electrical grids, upgraded water, sanitation, and mass transit systems, clean energy and more energy-efficient buildings, and globally competitive broadband. And as Sandy so tragically demonstrated, the increase in extreme weather events means it’s even more important to act soon to make all our infrastructure more resilient. This is also a huge economic opportunity to create jobs, attract private investment, and increase long-term economic growth and productivity… The most promising opportunity for bipartisan cooperation is a national infrastructure bank, which would be seeded with a modest amount of public money, then mostly funded by private investment with an attractive and secure rate of return.” Former President Bill Clinton (D) June 13 in “Bloomberg Businessweek.” 4

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Legislative & Regulatory News Hours of Service Rule Continued from page 1

fits all” approach and treats construction materials and equipment delivery drivers the same as long-haul truck drivers. ARTBA urged Congress to exempt the transportation construction industry from hours of service requirements in testimony submitted for the hearing. ARTBA comments differentiated drivers in our sector from the commercial truckers, the focus of the regulation, and noted that other sectors have been granted similar relief. Former head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Annette Sandberg spoke on the new hours of service revisions in an ARTBA webinar that is available for purchase at the ARTBA Store.

Rahall Pushes for $5.5 Billion to Improve Bridges House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va) introduced legislation June 18 that would authorize $2.75 billion in FY 2013 and FY 2014 to fund needed bridge improvements. The legislation, the “Strengthen and Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2013” (the SAFE Bridges Act), would distribute funds amongst the states by a formula that is based on each state’s share of deficient bridges. The funds authorized by this proposal would come from the federal General Fund and are in addition to the resources provided from the Highway Trust Fund by the 2012 surface transportation law,

MAP-21. ARTBA supports the Rahall bill and all proposals to increase federal investment in needed transportation

House Committee Passes Coal Ash Bill The House Energy & Commerce Committee voted June 19 to pass the “Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act of 2013.” The ARTBAsupported legislation prevents the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating coal ash as a hazardous substance. ARTBA has been extremely active on the issue, warning EPA on numerous occasions about the consequences of regulating coal ash as “hazardous,” including making concrete more costly and less durable, thus increasing costs and the environmental impact of vital transportation improvement projects. A 2011 study by ARTBA concluded that preventing coal ash from being used in transportation improvements would cost $104.6 billion over the next 20 years. ARTBA has also stressed the transportation sector’s use of coal ash as an environmental success story which, according to EPA “has reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions in concrete production between 12.5 and 25 tons” and “oil consumption between 26.8 and 53.6 million barrels.” The legislation will now move to the full House for a vote.

Study Details Connection Between Transportation and Economic Growth Good transportation between and within metropolitan areas provides large economic and social benefits, according to a new paper unveiled by the Free Congress Foundation during a June 13 briefing on Capitol Hill. Authored by the Foundation’s Dr. Michael Bronzini, the study emphasized the need for investment in metropolitan areas to support urban revitalization, as well national economic growth. Bronzini concluded that investing in supply chains, which connect metropolitan areas to the U.S. and global economy, is crucial in moving towards a more efficient economy, and that investments in freight transportation are needed to maintain and boost metropolitan growth and global competitiveness. At the event, House Highways & Transit Subcommittee Chair Tom Petri (R-Wis.) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) spoke about the need for increased transportation investment, and the possibility of capturing the benefits from fixed transit in urban areas, particularly the increased property values near transit stops.

Report Highlights Critical Nature of Marine Transportation System

National Gas Dominates Debate at Policy Summit on Alternative Fuels

FHWA Heeds ARTBA’s Advice to Keep the MUTCD as one Document

Stronger leadership and increased investment in all aspects of the nation’s intermodal transportation network, including the Marine Transportation System (MTS), is needed to improve U.S. goods movement and economic strength, according to a June 20 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials report, “Waterborne Freight Transportation.” The report concludes that without serious investment, many portions of the MTS may become inoperable or fail altogether creating tremendous safety and competitiveness issues. It offers suggestions for prioritizing water-based infrastructure, such as full utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) and streamlining the project delivery process, which the ARTBA Ports & Waterways Council has actively pursued as part of legislation in the House and Senate to reauthorize and reform the federal port and waterway development programs. A Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) passed the Senate May 15 and the House is expected to release their version of a WRDA bill in the coming months.

What alternative fuels are most poised to succeed and what factors will determine the most dominate alternatives were the key questions discussed at a June 18 policy summit in Washington, D.C. The use, availability and market place presence of natural gas was at the forefront of discussions. Participants underscored that unlike other alternatives, natural gas can meet the needs of the transportation sector. However, it was agreed that we will not see the same levels of adoption in the personal vehicle market as we have seen in the trucking industry for years to come. Natural gas motor fuels are taxed at the federal level similar to gasoline and diesel and the revenue is deposited into the HTF. Panelists uniformly gave support for a fuel tax and emphasized that resulting funds should be used to fix the nation’s roads and bridges.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced June 17 that it is withdrawing a previous proposal to change the format of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) following critical comments from ARTBA and other stakeholders. The MUTCD defines standards for the installation and maintenance of traffic control devices throughout the nation. The FHWA proposed in January to break the MUTCD into two documents in an attempt to make the MUTCD “easier to use.” ARTBA, however, pointed out in comments to FHWA its proposal would create confusion about which portion of the manual to use during specific applications and, as a result, undermine the goal of a uniform national approach to roadway safety devices. According to the FHWA web site, “Given the lack of support from the MUTCD user community, the FHWA will not proceed with splitting the MUTCD into two documents at this time.”

Longtime Ohio Transportation Leader Dies C. Clark Street, a major force in Ohio transportation policy for over half a century, passed away on June 15 at the age of 82. Clark served as CEO of the Ohio Contractors Association, ARTBA’s affiliate, from 1982 until his retirement in 2006. Previously he worked at the Ohio Department of Transportation in a series of key engineering positions for 29 years. Clark was an active member of ARTBA’s Council of State Executives, serving as chairman in 1992. He received the ARTBA Contractors Division’s Nello Teer Award, its highest honor, in 2006. During his tenure, OCA became one of ARTBA’s most active chapters, with several Ohioans on ARTBA’s Board of Directors. Clark’s survivors include two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. ARTBA sends condolences to Clark Street’s family, friends and the many OCA members whom he represented so ably.

Modal News Bridges & Roads: In California, Bolts May Hold Up a Bridge in More Ways Than One Ports & Waterways: SC Ports Authority Issues 2014 Projections Aviation: Airport expects stabilization project to be done by July Freight, Rail & Transit: Federal Register Notice: Surface Transportation Board Construction Exemption for California HSR Section ARTBA modal advisory councils provide a forum within the association for the discussion and advancement of sector specific issues within the broader context of strengthening the U.S. transportation infrastructure network. Visit www.artbamultimodal.org to learn about ways to get involved.

Fostering Innovation TRB Newsletter: June 11

Highlighting new research, technologies, industry best practices and information resources available to the transportation design and construction industry. ARTBA Washington Newsline

Upcoming 2013 ARTBA Foundation Awards

Dr. J. Don Brock

TRANSOVATION AWARDS Recognizing Innovations that Improve transportation SUBMISSION DEADLINE

August 30

Women Leaders in

TRANSPORTATION DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION AWARDS “Ethel S. Birchland Lifetime Achievement Award” “Glass Hammer Award” “Future Industry Leader Spotlight Award” SUBMISSION DEADLINE

July 12

ROADWAY WORKZONE SAFETY AWARENESS AWARDS Honoring outstanding efforts to reduce roadway work zone construction accidents, injuries and fatalities. SUBMISSION DEADLINE

August 2

CONTRACTOR SAFETY AWARDS

Honoring Industry Firms That Have Implemented Outstanding Employee Health and Safety Programs SUBMISSION DEADLINE

www.artbatdf.org

ART BA Washington Newsline

August 2

Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness Information Sheet 2013 OSHA is conducting a nationwide campaign for the third year in a row to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the hazards of working in the heat and steps to prevent heat-related illnesses and death with a simple message: Water. Rest. Shade. There are many resources available to raise awareness, educate, and train about heat illness prevention. They are available on our updated website: http://www.osha.gov/ SLTC/heatillness/index.html Examples:    

Illustrated, Low-Literacy Fact Sheets Worksite and Community Posters Training Guide, Heat Index Guide Outreach Wallet Card

Check out our HEAT APP and SPANISH language resources!

OSHA’s field-based compliance assistance staff can work directly with organizations on heat-related education and outreach. In addition, OSHA is working with its State-Plan state partners to provide information and assistance related to hazards associated with heat exposure. For more information: www.osha.gov 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). With your help in 2012:  

Outreach to at least 4.5 Million 314,000 print materials distributed

Heat Stats: (BLS, 2011)  

4,420 workers ill 61 workers died

Thank you! We count on your support! ARTBA Washington Newsline