Transportation

On both a state and national level, our economy depends on an efficient and affordable
transportation system. For centuries our transportation system has been the backbone of our
economy, and we are indebted to the visionaries, like Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and
Dwight Eisenhower, who recognized the importance of a national transportation plan and had the
courage to put that plan into action. Our ability to get goods to market and move people safely and
efficiently from place to place has made our economy the greatest in world history. But today that
system is aging, reaching the end of its life in many cases or being stretched beyond what was
originally intended. Investing in our infrastructure is necessary for economic recovery and longterm,
sustainable economic growth.

Surface Transportation Reauthorization:
Highway users pay for the maintenance and improvements on our nation’s roads and transit systems through user fees, often referred to as the “gas tax.” All the money collected from these user fees goes into the Highway Trust Fund, which is used specifically to finance surface transportation improvements and nothing else. In recent years, however, the existing gas tax has been proven insufficient as a funding source, in part because the gas tax was not indexed for inflation and in part because of unexpected drops in receipts as gas prices have risen and fuel efficiency standards have increased. The federal-aid highway system provides vital economic development, safety improvements, and good jobs, and it requires a dedicated source of funding.

SAFETEA-LU, the law governing our nation’s surface transportation system, including federal-aid
highways, bridges, and mass transit systems, expires at the end of this fiscal year, and Congress will
likely consider legislation to reauthorize these programs during the 111th Congress. Many important
issues will be addressed during debate on reauthorization, including how to fund these programs in a sustainable way into the future.

In addition to addressing these issues, I am working to ensure that Idaho receives adequate funding
under the new authorization to address the issues we face both in rural areas and as we work to
address the needs of a growing population. Under the existing law, federal surface transportation
funding is allocated to the state departments of transportation. Should the bill include
congressionally-directed High Priority Projects that are outside the funding formula through which
each state receives its allocation, I believe there are a number of projects throughout Idaho’s Second Congressional District that should be considered for funding.

Rail Transportation:
Passenger rail has proved a worthwhile investment in countries all over the world, and I strongly
believe that we must work to make rail travel a reality for Americans again. At a time when they are
faced with high transportation and energy costs and deepening economic uncertainty, Americans
must have alternative ways to travel, whether they are community to work or traveling for pleasure.
Ensuring that our passenger rail system is viable for the future is critical, and I believe that we must
look at options that will provide feasible passenger rail service across the U.S.

This is why, during the 110th Congress, I supported legislation to reform and reauthorize Amtrak.
This legislation calls on the private sector to partner with Amtrak to provide viable passenger rail
service across the U.S. In particular, the bill focuses on the development of a true high speed rail
corridor in the Northeast that can prove as a model for successful passenger rail systems in the rest
of the country. In addition, the bill improves Amtrak operations and passenger rail service by
providing grants to states for innovative passenger rail projects, allowing private operators to launch
a pilot program for new passenger service on freight-owned tracks on the worst performing Amtrak lines, and requiring the federal government to work with the states and railroads in planning rail infrastructure.

I was very pleased that this law takes steps to reinstate the Pioneer Route, which ran through
southern Idaho from Seattle to Chicago but was unfortunately discontinued in 1997. The law
requires Amtrak to evaluate reopening the Pioneer Route, and I am working with Senator Crapo to
encourage Amtrak to re-incorporate southern Idaho routes into its system at the earliest possible
opportunity.


To view a pdf version of this issue please click here.