News and Press Releases - 2006

Roads investment plan must produce results

By Sunne Wright McPeak

Guest Commentary

Through Negotiations with the California Legislature continue on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's strategic growth plan for future transportation investments, the governor remains committed to reducing freeway congestion today and in the future.

He knows that California's economic vitality depends on reducing the amounts of time and money we waste stuck in traffic.

California's existing transportation system is not meeting today's needs. Traffic delays in some parts of the state have increased by more than 600 percent during the past 20 years -- with delays statewide already costing taxpayers about $17 billion annually in lost productivity.

California has the 10 most heavily traveled freeway segments nationwide -- with daily hours of delay projected to increase 35 percent during the next decade.

That's why the governor proposed a bold and visionary transportation investment package -- as part of his strategic growth plan -- to build a 21st century world-class multi-modal system that goes hand-in-hand with a strong economy and a cleaner environment.

Unlike past spending plans, his proposal ultimately calls for the state to deliver measurable results from its future transportation commitments.

Investments and legislative reforms proposed by the governor would be designed to address the transportation corridors with the highest levels of congestion, and to expedite the completion of projects -- now ready for construction -- within the next 10 years.

His performance-based proposal would focus on projects that could work together to reduce the most congestion on the statewide transportation system.

Additional funding he proposed from General Obligation bonds would help to increase the number of projects that could be completed. And with future results determined for ongoing and new funding, then additional local, federal and private dollars could be leveraged to improve performance even further.

A key component of his strategic growth plan is to fully fund and permanently protect Proposition 42 -- passed by voters in 2002 by a margin of better than 2-1 -- which would guarantee annual funding for local streets, roads and transit.

Additional funding would add new carpool lanes, commuter rail lines, intercity passenger train trips, plus miles of separated bike and walking paths.

Projects to reduce congestion would be selected from regional transportation plans that currently are only partially funded or not funded at all.

Above all else, the number of people receiving paychecks in California would increase through transportation investments proposed by the governor.

According to the state Department of Transportation, his plan would create 150,000 new jobs in the construction industries. And by spurring the movement of goods through the state, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. estimates that another 150,000 jobs would be created in related trades.

The governor's strategic growth plan -- which accelerates funding for transportation, education, flood protection and water supply within a 10-year period in time -- is a proposal that would deliver measurable results from the state's investment.

While he is open to other funding proposals for him to consider, the governor remains committed to passage of a plan that will reduce California's freeway congestion today and in the future.In the end, after the political smoke clears in Sacramento, voters ultimately will make the final choice by demanding that California legislators support a plan that can produce measurable results and improve their quality of life. So far as clearing clogged freeways is concerned, hopefully everyone soon will agree that California's future economic vitality depends upon finding ways to reduce the amount of time and money that we waste in traffic.

The California Legislature needs to urgently grab hold of this rare opportunity and support bipartisan policymaking in Sacramento that can make a difference both in the near term as well as for many generations to come.

McPeak is business, transportation and housing secretary for the state of California. She Is also a former Contra Costa supervisor.