Highways Face Constant Needs, Federal Officials Say

The transportation needs for rural America are plentiful but the way to pay for it may not be, several witnesses told a House subcommittee Wednesday.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing in the nation’s capital to discuss issues facing rural America and rural highways.

One of the witnesses – Iowa Department of Transportation director Paul Trombino III – told the subcommittee he believed the next highway bill should be fully funded.

Meanwhile, a Minnesota official – Bob Fox – said rural America faces reduced populations and reduced tax bases with rising costs of projects.

Fox said he believes more funding should be made available for rural projects, while restoring funding for bridges affiliated with the national Highway System.

Michael Steenhoek, the executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, agreed with Fox.

“When you have fixed revenue and escalating costs, the funding gaps will materialize,” Steenhoek said.

In addition to discussing the funding issue, other topics were discussed during the hearing.

Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, spoke to Steenhoek and Charles L. “Shorty” Whittington, who serves as president of Grammer Industries, about a shortage of drivers, particularly agricultural drivers.

Under current rules, a driver who drives a truck across state lines must be at least 21 years old, Crawford said during the hearing.

“What about a reciprocity rule,” Crawford asked Steenhoek.

“It makes a lot of sense,” Steenhoek said, citing a 50% increase in trucking needs between now and 2040. “The supply has not kept up with demand.”

Whittington said a pilot program or a reciprocity agreement between states would be a good idea.

“No young man wants to wait three years to drive a truck across a state line,” Whittington told the panel.

SENATE TRANSPORTATION BILL
The hearing was held on the same day that the Senate Environment and Public Works committee introduced its version of a highway bill.

According to Washington D.C. publication Roll Call, the six-year bill would create funding for off-system bridges, a new grant program for projects with strategic or national goals and work to clear up backlogs on highway projects in need.

Crawford said the need is definitely there for projects.

“Without a reliable transportation system in rural America, we are ignoring the vital role that these roads play in ensuring reliable connections for commerce and families. In the First District, we rely heavily on quality roads and interstates that demand continuous improvement, like future Interstate 555,” Crawford said. “A stable funding source that continually invests in our roads and highways is essential for ensuring a vibrant rural economy and for connecting our communities.”