Driving Louisiana Forward

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Driving Louisiana Forward

• Paving the Way to Job Creation and Economic
  Growth in Louisiana

Presented by Jennifer Marusak Communications
Director Driving Louisiana Forward
www.drivinglouisianaforward.org
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The Problem

• Crumbling roads and congestion
• More than 6,000 miles of non-federal roads in
  disrepair
• Traffic fatality rate is 41 higher than national
  average
• 43 of on-system bridges are more than 40 years
  old
• 28 of urban interstates are congested

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The Problem

• Louisianas current road funding doesnt work
• TTF is the primary mechanism for road and bridge
  funding
• TTF funding only comes from gas and diesel tax
  sales tax does not contribute
• TTF is funded by 16-cent gas tax established in
  1984 buying power of that 16 cents is only 8
  cents today

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The Bottom Line

• Louisiana has a 14 billion backlog in unmet
  construction needs
• By 2009 Louisianas gas tax will be insufficient
  to meet the federal match

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Where we are

• TIMED Program
• Since bonding out the program, it is on schedule
  to be completed by 2010
• No available for maintenance at the completion
  of TIMED

• Public Private Partnership Legislation
• Design-Build Legislation
• Mobility Fund

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Where we are

• Rural Roads 14,000 miles
• 6,000 miles not eligible for federal funding
• Need to spend 180-200 million annually to keep
  up
• Spent 17 million in 05-06
• Slated to spend 30 million in 06-07
• Only 9 million available in 07-08

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Where we are

• Urban Centers
• In 25 years, vehicular traffic is expected to
  nearly double among states main arteries
• Interstate corridors are KEY to states economic
  development

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Where we are

• TRIP Report
• Roads F
• Bridges D-
• Congestion C
• Safety F
• Funding D

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How do we compare?

• DOTD Administrative Costs
• LADOTD is 2nd to the lowest in country (cost of
  operations vs. capital expenditures)

• Gas Tax
• 38 states higher

• Auto Registration
• 46 states higher

• Truck Registration
• 44 states higher

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The Surplus

• While a one-time appropriation for highways is
  welcome, it is not a solution to Louisianas
  long-term transportation problems

• A 400 million one-time appropriation still only
  represents less than 3 of Louisianas 14
  billion unmet needs

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What does this mean to you?

• Poor roads and highways are a major safety
  concern
• Poor roads and highways are hurting our quality
  of life
• Poor roads and highways are costing the driving
  public money
• Poor roads and highways are choking off economic
  development and hindering Louisianas recovery

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How do we Drive Louisiana Forward?

• Significant additional revenue must now be
  provided and innovative approaches found to
  improve our highway infrastructure
• Several options must be explored
• Adjust gas tax for inflation
• Sales taxes for vehicle and vehicle parts to
  the TTF
• Truck and auto registration fee increases
• Toll roads for additional lanes and alternate
  routes

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How do we Drive Louisiana Forward?

• Estimated that a combined funding effort
  providing solid growth should total 450-515
  million annually
• Public must examine potential options and
  communicate with the legislature
• Outcry over poor roads, unmet additional needs
  and congestion must not stop with the 2007
  Regular Session
• Our states transportation struggles must be a
  campaign issue for every legislative and
  statewide seat

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What can you do to Drive Louisiana Forward?
Join Driving Louisiana Forward in educating the
legislature, the public and all candidates about
the necessity of addressing Louisianas highway
needs. Louisianas economic future depends on a
reliable, safe and efficient infrastructure
system. www.drivinglouisianaforward.org