Coburn/McCain Report Blast Bike Projects While LaHood Fires Back

Senators McCain and Coburn continue their anti-bike drivel in the Senate with the release of their report - Out of Gas: Congress Raids the Highway Trust Fund for Pet Projects While Bridges and Roads Crumble.

Nothing new here. The argument is that spending 2-5% of the total transportation budget on the two most basic modes of transportation is causing bridges to collapse. But in this report they specifically target PENNDOT for paving bike lanes on Route 6. My first thought on this was -"Wow PENNDOT's putting in bike lanes? How often does that happen?"

But as usual, bike lane projects always include a provision for a myopic local government official to deem them to be a waste of money. This time it's Lackawaxen Township Supervisor Rich Krochta “Some residents have pointed out that given the very deteriorated condition of Route 6 in many places where the new bike lanes will go, they may simply have to drive on the shoulders – a dangerous condition for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike.” As if having a smooth road with no shoulders or sidewalks is somehow safer for everyone. Route 6 by the way is designated as Bicycle PA Route Y.















Route 6 shoulder construction Photo: Pike County Press

But perhaps the biggest surprise was the swiftness with which Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood fired back on his In The Fast Lane blog. Alongside his argument to debunk the myths about "bike trails" was this statement:

We've worked hard this year to get our Recovery Act dollars out to the states quickly and effectively. Yes, some of those projects include bike paths, a key ingredient in our livability initiative to allow people to live, work, and get around without a car.

We don't call that waste; we call it progress.

It's an amazing post, and Ray LaHood is no Mary Peters. I Love this Guy!

Stimulus - $825 Million in Transportation Enhancement Money

Thanks to everyone who called their Senators and Representative. The final draft of the stimulus bill sets aside 3% of the of the total transportation funding ($27.5 billion) for Transportation Enhancements. The House originally proposed 1.3 Billion and the was no money set aside in the Senate version.

The House and Senate will probably vote on the bill Today and Tomorrow respectively and signed by the President on Monday. It ain't over till the President signs so keep those fingers crossed.

One question that we are asking is how is this money going to be spent. Will it simply be used to fund the backlog of existing projects (many have been plagued by cost overruns) or will there be a call for new projects.

DeMint Amendment Defeated

From the League of American Bicyclists:

Great news that the DeMint amendment to prohibit stimulus funds going to bike and ped projects was unsuccessful - thank you to all of you who called your Senators!

This also served as a good warm up for the big ask. We will be getting the public alert for you to help spread later today. We do ask that you all help get the word out as soon as the bill passes the Senate (expected to happen Tuesday...but it is the Senate and politics). Again, be looking for our alert language later today.

Latest Stimulus Update - 1.3 Billion in Transportation Enhancements

According to the January 23rd AASHTO Journal the current markup passed by the House Appropriations Committee of the includes 1.3 Billion for Transportation Enhancements (TE). This is because 45% of the 29 billion highway dollars allocated would fall under the Surface Transportation Program (STP) of which 10% of that is required by law to be spent on transportation enhancements.
$29B (HWY)x .45 (STP)= 13 x .10 (TE) = $1.3 B

Current state estimates for the program include $59M for PA and $35M for NJ. money will be available to the states 7 days after the enactment of the law. Most projects need to be under construction in 4 months (but it might amended to 6 months) and the funds need to be obligated (essentially completed) by August 2010.

Transportation Enhancements represent the bulk of the stand alone bicycle and pedestrian projects although there are several other ways to spend the funds (such as transportation museums and highway landscaping).

A formal request was made by PENNDOT for $18 Million for the Chester Valley Trail although only the segment from PA 29 to Church Road in West Whiteland can go under construction in 120 days.

Other potential "shovel ready enhancements projects in PA include:

• Bicyclists Baltimore Pike and Old Baltimore Pike (two on-street bikeway projects)
• Pottstown Promenade

It may also be possible to use this money to fund projects already slated to begin construction this year such as the Falls Bridge to Wissahickon section of the Schuylkill River Trail. This could put money back into the pipeline to fund to other bicycle and pedestrian projects that are not "shovel ready".

There is no doubt that the bill will be marked up many times before it becomes law, in the meantime Rep. Boehner will have plenty of more chances to take another swipe at bicycles.

Bicycle Projects at the Bottom of PennDOT Wish List

Many thanks to Representative Babette Josephs who sent a letter to PennDOT Secretary Biehler asking him to release the list to the public. On January 16th, PennDOT issued its "Candidate Highway and Bridge Project for Expanded Federal Funding through Stimulus Legislation" list. Unfortunately, PennDOT does not make bicycle or pedestrian projects a priority. Its vision is limited to resurfacing roads and repairing bridges.


Out of 200+ projects, PennDOT recommends only one (1) bicycle project--the Chester Valley Trail for $18 million. Out of a set of projects that adds up to $1.5 Billion, PennDOT is proposing to spend 1.2% on enhancing one path for bicycling.


Only three Philadelphia projects are proposed: Platt Bridge ($18 M), ADA Ramps ($12M), Girard Point Bridge ($66M) totalling $96M; which is 6.4% of PennDOT's proposed projects. How is it that the state's largest city only warrants 6.4% of the state's spending on infrastructure? This proposal lacks creativity and vision of a green transportation infrastructure.


How will Pennsylvania ever reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles if it only rebuilds roads and doesn't build and extend new bike paths? How will Pennsylvania encourage more people to bike or walk to work or for short trips? It is deplorable that Pennsylvania is not taking advantage of this great opportunity.

Rails to Trails--Economic Recovery Petition:

Please sign their petition to President-elect Obama and key congressional leaders, encouraging them to fund these important bicycle and pedestrian projects: