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News
Transportation
Commission Approves Five-Year Plan
Posted 10 June 2009
The Iowa Transportation Commission approved the FY2010-2014 Iowa
Transportation Improvement Program at its meeting today in Cedar Falls.
The program sets the five-year investment priorities for the state’s
multimodal transportation system, which is enhanced thanks to the
I-JOBS initiative as well as federal recovery funds
“During this time of national economic challenges, this plan is not
only a roadmap to our transportation future, but also a path to our
economic recovery as well,” said Governor Culver. “Thanks to our
statewide I-JOBS plan, and with support from our federal partners, we
will literally be able to work our way out of this recession. I
look forward to working with Iowans in the coming months and years as
together we rebuild our state’s infrastructure and economy, as we
create a brighter future for everyone.”
A major component of the program is the highway section. The total
amount of federal and state funds forecasted to be available for
highway right-of-way acquisition and construction during FY2010 through
FY2014 is $2.1 billion. The highway section is fiscally balanced to
anticipated revenues.
The Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) program fully integrates
funding from the Recovery Act. To date, the Recovery Act has provided
approximately $400 million in additional federal funding for
transportation in Iowa, including funding that is allocated to local
governments and entities. Approximately $270 million of this additional
funding has been allocated for transportation programs administered by
the Iowa DOT and is reflected in the five-year program.
Recovery Act funding will result in a record year for transportation
construction in Iowa, and creation and retention of construction jobs.
The Iowa DOT and Commission will continue to work with federal partners
to find additional opportunities for transportation funding through the
Recovery Act.
While Recovery Act funding will make a significant impact in meeting
the backlog of needs, a significant shortfall remains in meeting our
state’s transportation infrastructure demands. To help meet this
challenge, Governor Culver introduced the I-JOBS initiative, which was
signed into law last month. I-JOBS will result in $50 million in
state funding to reduce structurally deficient and functionally
obsolete bridges on the Primary Road System, and approximately $10
million in funding for other modes of transportation, including $3
million to support expansion of passenger rail service in Iowa. This
funding will extend the benefits of Recovery Act funding and help meet
our infrastructure needs during these difficult economic times, without
raising taxes on Iowans.
The highway section of the five-year program continues to focus
investments toward implementation of the following four objectives:
1. Maintain and preserve the existing highway system and
its operational and safety features. The Commission has allocated an
annual average of $232 million to achieve this objective. This includes
investing an average of:
* $104 million annually for preserving the
interstate system.
* $78 million annually for non-interstate pavement
preservation projects.
* $36 million annually for non-interstate bridge
preservation and replacement projects.
* 14 million annually in safety improvements.
2. Maintain scheduled completion of capacity and economic
development projects identified in the previous program. These projects
include U.S. 63 in Bremer County, U.S. 61 Fort Madison bypass, U.S. 30
Tama/Toledo bypass, U.S. 20 in Sac, Calhoun and Webster counties, U.S.
30 in Story and Marshall counties, and U.S. 34 relocation in Mills
County.
3. Continue investments in major interstate capacity and
economic development projects. An average of $91 million annually is
programmed in Sioux City, Council Bluffs and Bettendorf.
4. Add non-stewardship capacity and economic development
projects or phases of projects, including U.S. 30 in Benton County,
U.S. 63 in Black Hawk County (Waterloo), U.S. 218 in Bremer County,
U.S. 30 in Clinton County, Iowa 4 in Greene County, U.S. 61 in Louisa
County, Iowa 330 in Marshall County, U.S. 75 in Plymouth County, Iowa
92 in Warren County, and U.S. 20 in Dubuque County.
The approved FY2010-2014 program is posted on the Iowa
DOT’s Web site.
In other action, the Commission approved a Revitalize Iowa's Sound
Economy (RISE) Local Development grant submitted by the city of Perry.
Up to $120,188 will be made available to assist with construction of
approximately 600 feet of 26th Street north of Iowa Avenue. Funding for
the grant comes from the city share of the RISE fund. The
improvement will provide access to two lots totaling more than 17 acres. |
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