Today's Article
Obama's plan to
rebuild U.S.
infrastructure is a vital
effort to rebuild our
crumbling
transportation system,
according to a top
gov't official.
rebuild U.S.
infrastructure is a vital
effort to rebuild our
crumbling
transportation system,
according to a top
gov't official.
The American Spark
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Infrastructure Needs Rebuilding Now, Testifies GAO Official
By Cliff Montgomery - Mar. 10th, 2009
President Obama's plan to rebuild U.S. infrastructure is both a vital effort to rebuild the country's crumbling
transportation system and a boost to its weak economy, according to testimony today from a top Government
Accountability Office (GAO) official before a House appropriations panel.
Katherine Siggerud, the GAO's Managing Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, has provided an
instructive rejoinder to those who wrongly hope to label Obama's economic stimulus program "wasteful
spending." Below we offer quotes from Siggerud's testimony:
"A safe, efficient, and convenient transportation system is integral to the health of our economy and quality of
life. Our nation's vast transportation system of airways, railways, roads, transit systems, and waterways has
served this need, yet is under considerable pressure due to increasing congestion and costs to maintain and
improve the system.
"Calls for increased investment come at a time when traditional funding for transportation projects is
increasingly strained. The authorizing legislation supporting transportation programs will soon expire.
"The Department of Transportation (DOT) implements national transportation policy and administers most
federal transportation programs. DOT received funds for transportation infrastructure projects through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to aid in economic recovery. DOT also requested $72.5
billion to carry out its activities for fiscal year 2010.
"This statement presents GAO's views on major challenges facing DOT and Congress as they work to
administer recovery funds and reauthorize surface transportation and aviation programs. It is based on work
GAO has completed over the last several years.
"GAO has made recommendations to DOT to improve transportation programs; the agency has generally
agreed with these recommendations. To supplement this existing work, GAO obtained information on the
recovery funds provided to DOT. [...]
"Congress and the presidential administration have fashioned the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009 to help our nation respond to what is generally reported to be the worst economic crisis since the
Great Depression. DOT received about $48 billion of these funds for investments in transportation
infrastructure—primarily for highways, passenger rail, and transit—mostly for use through fiscal year 2010.
"As with other executive agencies, DOT now faces the challenges of using these funds in ways that aid
economic recovery, making wise funding choices while spending the money quickly, and ensuring
accountability for results.
"The act largely provided for increased transportation funding through existing programs—such as the Federal-
Aid Highways, the New Starts transit, and the Airport Improvement programs. Channeling funding through
existing programs should allow DOT to jump start its spending of recovery funds.
"However, there is a need to balance the requirement in the recovery act to get funds out quickly to help turn
around the economy with the equally powerful need to make sure that funds are spent wisely on infrastructure
investments and are not subject to waste, fraud, and abuse. [...]
"GAO will report to Congress bimonthly on how states and localities use the recovery funds received from DOT.
"DOT and Congress will also be faced with numerous challenges as they work to reauthorize surface
transportation and aviation programs.
Funding the nation's transportation system
"Revenues to support the Highway Trust Fund are not keeping pace with spending levels and the Highway
Account was nearly depleted last summer. In addition, the excise taxes that fund Airport and Airway Trust
Fund revenues have been lower than previously forecasted, and forecasts of future revenues have declined.
"Declining revenues in both trust funds may adversely affect DOT's ability to continue to fund surface
transportation and aviation programs at levels previously assumed.
Improving transportation safety
"Although the number of traffic crashes and the associated fatality rate has decreased over the last 10 years,
the number of fatalities has remained at about 42,000 annually. The continued high level of fatalities and
difficulties experienced by states in implementing grant programs raise issues for Congress to consider in
restructuring these programs during reauthorization.
"While the U.S. commercial aviation industry is among the safest in the world, accidents can have catastrophic
consequences. The lack of performance measures and complete data limit DOT's ability to improve safety and
manage safety risks.
Improving transportation mobility
"Despite large increases in transportation spending, congestion on our nation's highways has increased over
the last 10 years and increased demand will further strain the system.
"Flight delays and cancellations at congested airports continue to plague the U.S. aviation system. For
example, almost one in four flights either arrived late or was canceled in 2008, and the average flight delay
increased despite a 6 percent annual decline in the total number of operations through December 2008.
"Congestion poses serious economic as well as environmental and health concerns for the nation.
Transforming the nation's air traffic control system
"The air traffic control modernization program is technically complex and costly. The Federal Aviation
Administration will need to accelerate the implementation of new and existing technologies, consider incentives
for aircraft operators to acquire those technologies, and sustain the current system while transitioning to the
new one, among other things."
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark e-
newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - Mar. 10th, 2009
President Obama's plan to rebuild U.S. infrastructure is both a vital effort to rebuild the country's crumbling
transportation system and a boost to its weak economy, according to testimony today from a top Government
Accountability Office (GAO) official before a House appropriations panel.
Katherine Siggerud, the GAO's Managing Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, has provided an
instructive rejoinder to those who wrongly hope to label Obama's economic stimulus program "wasteful
spending." Below we offer quotes from Siggerud's testimony:
"A safe, efficient, and convenient transportation system is integral to the health of our economy and quality of
life. Our nation's vast transportation system of airways, railways, roads, transit systems, and waterways has
served this need, yet is under considerable pressure due to increasing congestion and costs to maintain and
improve the system.
"Calls for increased investment come at a time when traditional funding for transportation projects is
increasingly strained. The authorizing legislation supporting transportation programs will soon expire.
"The Department of Transportation (DOT) implements national transportation policy and administers most
federal transportation programs. DOT received funds for transportation infrastructure projects through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to aid in economic recovery. DOT also requested $72.5
billion to carry out its activities for fiscal year 2010.
"This statement presents GAO's views on major challenges facing DOT and Congress as they work to
administer recovery funds and reauthorize surface transportation and aviation programs. It is based on work
GAO has completed over the last several years.
"GAO has made recommendations to DOT to improve transportation programs; the agency has generally
agreed with these recommendations. To supplement this existing work, GAO obtained information on the
recovery funds provided to DOT. [...]
"Congress and the presidential administration have fashioned the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
of 2009 to help our nation respond to what is generally reported to be the worst economic crisis since the
Great Depression. DOT received about $48 billion of these funds for investments in transportation
infrastructure—primarily for highways, passenger rail, and transit—mostly for use through fiscal year 2010.
"As with other executive agencies, DOT now faces the challenges of using these funds in ways that aid
economic recovery, making wise funding choices while spending the money quickly, and ensuring
accountability for results.
"The act largely provided for increased transportation funding through existing programs—such as the Federal-
Aid Highways, the New Starts transit, and the Airport Improvement programs. Channeling funding through
existing programs should allow DOT to jump start its spending of recovery funds.
"However, there is a need to balance the requirement in the recovery act to get funds out quickly to help turn
around the economy with the equally powerful need to make sure that funds are spent wisely on infrastructure
investments and are not subject to waste, fraud, and abuse. [...]
"GAO will report to Congress bimonthly on how states and localities use the recovery funds received from DOT.
"DOT and Congress will also be faced with numerous challenges as they work to reauthorize surface
transportation and aviation programs.
Funding the nation's transportation system
"Revenues to support the Highway Trust Fund are not keeping pace with spending levels and the Highway
Account was nearly depleted last summer. In addition, the excise taxes that fund Airport and Airway Trust
Fund revenues have been lower than previously forecasted, and forecasts of future revenues have declined.
"Declining revenues in both trust funds may adversely affect DOT's ability to continue to fund surface
transportation and aviation programs at levels previously assumed.
Improving transportation safety
"Although the number of traffic crashes and the associated fatality rate has decreased over the last 10 years,
the number of fatalities has remained at about 42,000 annually. The continued high level of fatalities and
difficulties experienced by states in implementing grant programs raise issues for Congress to consider in
restructuring these programs during reauthorization.
"While the U.S. commercial aviation industry is among the safest in the world, accidents can have catastrophic
consequences. The lack of performance measures and complete data limit DOT's ability to improve safety and
manage safety risks.
Improving transportation mobility
"Despite large increases in transportation spending, congestion on our nation's highways has increased over
the last 10 years and increased demand will further strain the system.
"Flight delays and cancellations at congested airports continue to plague the U.S. aviation system. For
example, almost one in four flights either arrived late or was canceled in 2008, and the average flight delay
increased despite a 6 percent annual decline in the total number of operations through December 2008.
"Congestion poses serious economic as well as environmental and health concerns for the nation.
Transforming the nation's air traffic control system
"The air traffic control modernization program is technically complex and costly. The Federal Aviation
Administration will need to accelerate the implementation of new and existing technologies, consider incentives
for aircraft operators to acquire those technologies, and sustain the current system while transitioning to the
new one, among other things."
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark e-
newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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