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media relations coordinator
An overwhelming 86 percent of county officials responding to a NACo survey on transportation funding said Congress should spend the nearly $20 billion held in the federal government's Highway Trust Fund to improve and make safer the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems.
An even larger percentage - 97 percent - said they support higher funding levels for the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). The percentages are the result of a 10-question survey on the impact of ISTEA that was released at a news conference Feb. 28.
"The Highway Trust Fund should be used for its intended purpose: to improve and rebuild America's roads, bridges and mass transit systems," said NACo President and Fulton County (Ga.) Commissioner Michael Hightower. "By not spending these dollars, Congress and the Administration jeopardize the health of our nation's commerce and transportation system." Currently, some $20 million of the Highway Trust Fund balance -is being used to reduce the federal deficit.
The nation's infrastructure - the roads and bridges that Americans use every day - is in need of repair. Eighty-two percent of respondents said bridges in their county were in need of rehabilitation or replacement, and 92 percent had roads with the same needs.
These needs are confirmed by other sources. According to the Department of Transportation, 52 percent of county bridges are below standard. In regard to roads, a 1994 nationwide survey, cosponsored by NACo, found 48 percent in less than adequate condition.
Counties own 1.7 million miles of roads and 219,000 bridges, and operate one-third of the nation's transit systems. While counties invest billions of dollars to build and maintain these systems, there remains a substantial need for federal funds to supplement the county investment in these systems.
The survey represents the opinions of a cross section of county governments in America. Of 161 surveys mailed, 71 were returned for a response rate of 44 percent. Surveys were returned from 35 different states, the counties ranging in size from Oneida County, Idaho (population: 3,657), to Hennepin County, Minn. (population: 1,050,465).
A majority, 78 percent, of county officials praised the landmark transportation program for proscribing local government involvement in how federal gasoline taxes are allocated to states for roads and transit.
"Tweak ISTEA by giving county officials additional responsibilities and additional funds so local citizens can control the fate of their roads, bridges and transit systems, and ISTEA will be the perfect innovative approach to taking our nation's transportation system into the 21st century," said Hightower.
In response to whether county officials felt that states followed federal guidelines for distribution of ISTEA funds, a resounding 79 percent said states had, indeed, worked with counties in accordance with the law. However, 62 percent felt counties should have been given additional opportunities to offer input. Thirty-nine percent felt they had sufficient opportunities. Asked whether the current allocation formula creates disparities among counties, 55 percent said rural populations (below 200,000 population) lose.
"No one better understands roads and bridges than local county officials," said Hightower. "If we want improved mobility, economic development, cleaner air and safety, we must keep ISTEA strong."
Meanwhile, hundreds of county officials will be joined by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Reps. Thomas Petri (R-Wis.), James Oberstar (D-Minn.), Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and at least a dozen other members of Congress on the west front Capitol steps on Tuesday, March 4, at 9:45 a.m. to participate in NACo's "Keep ISTEA Strong" rally.