7/24/2014- looming highway trust fund crisis: impact on state transportation programs

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Looming Highway Trust Fund Crisis: Impact on State Transportation Programs

The Congressional Budget Office is currently projecting that due to the latest in a series of revenue

shortfalls since 2008, without remedial action the Highway Trust Fund will be unable to support any new

spending on highway and public transportation improvements in FY 2015. Current federal investment in

these programs exceeds $50 billion per year. Below are a series of news article excerpts of state officials

describing how this threat would impact their transportation improvement efforts.

Alabama:

“The Alabama Department of Transportation is bracing to keep current projects going on for as long as

possible should lawmakers in Washington, D.C., not reach an agreement on the national Highway Trust

Fund.

That would mean several months before problems begin to show.

It also means ALDOT wouldn't begin any new road construction projects for up to a year because of the

funding disruption, a state official said.”

“However, on July 1, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sent a letter to states saying a cash

management plan will go into effect on Aug. 1.

On that date, the federal government will reduce reimbursements to a percentage of what states

normally would get, Foxx wrote.

Payments also will be less frequent.

Under the plan, as states continue to send tax revenue, the Federal Highway Administration will look at

available funds every two weeks and figure out payments.

Alabama is scheduled to get just under 2 percent of what's available said Ronnie Baldwin, ALDOT's chief

engineer.

Baldwin said that amount would be just enough to cover contractor payments for existing projects, but

not enough to start new work.


The only new work would be those covered under the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and

Improvement Program, or ATRIP, a program started in 2012 and paid for by state bonds.”

“At this time, it doesn't appear ALDOT will have to stop any ongoing projects as other states are

planning to do, Baldwin said.

As the funding crisis began to appear more likely earlier this year, ALDOT began reducing certain

budgets to help free up cash flow during the shortage.”

“Another casualty of funding dilemma, however, is delayed and reduced funding's impacts on planning.

When funding sources are certain, ALDOT and contractors are able to plan based on equipment and

employment needs. Without that certainty, the department can't plan ahead as it normally would with

guaranteed money.”

- AL.com 7/13/14

(http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/07/get_used_to_atrip_projects_--.html)

“Alabama’s road projects could come to a standstill on Oct. 1 if Congress fails to find a solution for a

depleted federal highway trust fund, a state official said Wednesday.

Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said states would be hit with a 28 percent cut in

funding starting in August if Congress fails to shore up money for highway funding. Despite the federal

government transferring $9.7 billion from the general fund to the highway fund at the beginning of the

year, the account is still expected to be out of money by September, according to the U.S. Department

of Transportation website.

Ronald Baldwin, chief engineer with the Alabama Department of Transportation, said the state received

more than $700 million from the federal government each of the last two years. A shortfall in the

highway fund would mean big cuts to that check, he said, and would likely immediately end any plans

for new construction projects in the state.

‘We’re confident Congress will come up with a solution,’ Baldwin said Wednesday. ‘If they don’t, it

would be a disaster.’”

“Baldwin said barring any plans from Congress to fix the fund depletion, the Alabama Department of

Transportation would have no choice but to abandon any new road construction projects, using what

money would trickle down to the state to pay off previous projects.

‘Road projects might take two to three years, or longer, to complete,’ Baldwin said. ‘So, what little

money we would get, would have to go to paying off those already completed projects.’

The budget cuts would also hit local governments hard. Anniston Public Works Director Bob Dean said

that while the city doesn’t receive annual allocations from the federal government or the state, it relies

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/07/get_used_to_atrip_projects_--.html


on matching grant funds to complete road projects. If state money dried up, it’s unlikely Anniston would

receive money to fix bridges or repave roads, he said.

‘Anytime there’s a budget cut, we’re all going to feel the effects of that,’ Dean said. ‘That’s going to hit

all levels of government.’

Calhoun County Engineer Brian Rosenbalm said the county receives more than $300,000 annually from

the federal government. While a big source of the county’s highway funds comes from its own 2 cent

sales tax, a lack of federal dollars would likely halt most, if not all, long-term road projects.

‘If we’re talking about a small cut, we could adjust and manage,’ Rosenbalm said. ‘But if you’re saying,

‘Holy cow, that’s being cut in half,’ I don’t know what we would do.’”

- The Anniston Star 7/9/14 (http://www.annistonstar.com/news/article_1d935054-07b8-11e4-98a0-

001a4bcf887a.html)

Alaska:

“Alaskans' notorious self-reliance doesn't extend to our roads, where we rely on the federal government

to pay the bulk of the bills for constructing and reconstructing the highways and byways of the 49th

state.

That dependence could trigger disruptions in Alaska transportation projects. Due to gridlock in the U.S.

Congress, funding for the highway trust fund is in jeopardy, threatening payments to states for an array

of transportation projects.”

“Alaska has budgeted for $1.2 billion in transportation capital projects in the next fiscal year, with more

than 83 percent ($1 billion) funded by the feds.”

“The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities bids out federally funded projects and

then submits bills to the U.S. Department of Transportation as billable work is done and contractors are

paid, said Jeff Ottesen, program development director for the state DOT.

‘If a project takes two or three years, we would not see the full amount of funds until the final month,’

he said.

To minimize the amounts outstanding, Alaska submits bills to the feds every two or three days, he said.

If the highway trust fund runs out of money, which it did briefly in 2011, those reimbursements may

vanish, Ottesen said.”

“‘We are receiving significantly more than we're putting into the trust fund, as far as the local fuel taxes

Alaskans pay,’ said Rep. Sam Kito, D-Juneau, who is also a civil engineer and closely watches highway

construction issues.

http://www.annistonstar.com/news/article_1d935054-07b8-11e4-98a0-001a4bcf887a.html

http://www.annistonstar.com/news/article_1d935054-07b8-11e4-98a0-001a4bcf887a.html


Alaska needs more roads than it has, but doesn't have a transportation fund of its own, Kito said.

‘Our biggest concern, as far as my mind goes, in Alaska is the fact that we do not have a robust, or even

fledgling state transportation system, so most of our transportation funding is dependent on the

(federal) highway trust fund,’ he said.”

“Because the majority of Alaska's road construction work is done during the summer, Ottesen hopes

much of it will be done and paid for before a crisis hits later in the year -- if indeed the fund is not

renewed before then. But many final bills from summer construction could also wind up being

submitted right when the feds run out of money.”

“Ottesen said DOT is bracing for reimbursement shortfalls, where bills would only be paid at 95 percent

of what was due on existing projects. The missing amount would be paid on the next billing cycle, but

then that cycle's bills might only be paid at 90 percent.

That could present a danger for projects slated for fiscal year 2015, he said.

‘This could dramatically reduce funds available for new project work, both design and construction,’ he

said.”

- Anchorage Daily News 6/22/14 (http://www.adn.com/2014/06/22/3529463/disruption-in-flow-of-

alaskas.html)

Arkansas:

“Instead of shifting into high gear during what is normally the peak of construction season, state

transportation departments around the country are easing off the gas pedal as the federal Highway

Trust Fund barrels toward insolvency sometime next month.”

“One of the states that will be hardest hit is Arkansas, which received 45 percent of its highway and

transit funding from the federal government in fiscal year 2011.

‘We've probably got up to $120 million in projects in Arkansas that we could have gone to bid with that

we can't go to bid with now because there's no guarantee that we'll be reimbursed,’ said Rep. Jonathan

Barnett, a Republican from Siloam Springs. Barnett, who chairs the House transportation committee,

previously served as chairman of the state highway commission.

Arkansas has the 12th largest highway system in the country but ranks 44th in federal and state

revenues to support the system. In 2012, voters there approved a half-cent general sales tax increase for

a major highway improvement program, expected to raise $1.8 billion over 10 years. In 2011, voters

cleared the way for the state to borrow $1.2 billion for an interstate rehabilitation program.

http://www.adn.com/2014/06/22/3529463/disruption-in-flow-of-alaskas.html

http://www.adn.com/2014/06/22/3529463/disruption-in-flow-of-alaskas.html


Arkansas has identified $750 million in already-approved projects that rely on federal money. Now,

before contracts are bid, the state highway and transportation department has to determine whether its

cash flow will enable it to pay the contractors.

The state wants to complete work on any project that has already begun, make sure it maintains enough

cash on hand to pay off debt service, and ensure that any employees who are paid out of federal funds

can keep their jobs, said Randy Ort, spokesman for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation

Department. In April, the state decided to hold back 10 projects with a total cost of about $60 million.

More projects are likely to be delayed as the year goes on.”

- USA Today 7/2/14 (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/02/stateline-highway-

funds/12056037/)

“Letters warning that federal funding would begin to dry up on Aug. 1 went to state officials this week,

foreshadowing a period when money for bridge and highway projects may slow dramatically at the

height of the construction season.

Some states, fearful that Congress will fail them, already are planning cutbacks that may put tens of

thousands of construction workers out of work. Arkansas, which counts on Washington for 70 percent of

its road construction dollars, shelved 14 projects slated for this summer with a price tag of $70 million to

$80 million.

‘We see this as a very real threat,’ said Randy Ort of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation

Department. ‘I think some states are gambling that it’s not going to happen.’”

- The Washington Post 7/2/14

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/countdown-to-a-shutdown-of-federal-

transportation-funding/2014/07/02/8f6f313c-012a-11e4-8572-4b1b969b6322_story.html)

“The Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department says 20,000 construction jobs could be lost if the

federal Highway Trust Fund isn't replenished later this summer.

[Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Director] Scott Bennett told members of the

Arkansas State Highway Commission on Wednesday that several projects, including the Broadway

Bridge replacement could be delayed due to uncertainty related to the fund.

‘Our concern is the highway trust fund is going in the tank, they're going to slow down the

reimbursement back to the states,’ Bennett says.”

“Bennett says even a few months delay in the Broadway Bridge plan has consequences AHTD wants to

avoid.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/02/stateline-highway-funds/12056037/


http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/countdown-to-a-shutdown-of-federal-transportation-funding/2014/07/02/8f6f313c-012a-11e4-8572-4b1b969b6322_story.html



‘It could lead us into having the Broadway Bridge and the I-30 corridor under construction at the same

time,’ Bennett says.”

- ArkansasMatters.com 6/4/14 (http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/ahtd-highway-trust-

fund-impasse-could-delay-broadw/35560/y8MzqcbpZE2V0JOoB2eANw)

“The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) has withdrawn ten construction

projects from its planned list of projects scheduled for award in April as a result of the uncertainty of

Federal-aid reimbursements available from the Federal Highway Trust Fund.

The United State Department of Transportation has projected that the Federal Highway Trust Fund will

run short of funds as early as July of this year without Congressional action. Because of this uncertainty,

the AHTD has evaluated State and Federal funding that will be available and reduced the number of

construction projects planned because of the possible inability of the Federal Highway Trust Fund to

provide timely and full reimbursements to Arkansas.

The ten Federal-aid projects that have been pulled from the Department’s April bid letting total

approximately $60 million and include:

‘Based on our evaluation, if we execute all contracts that are scheduled for the April letting, the

Department may not have adequate funds to ensure full payments to contractors during this period of

reduced Federal reimbursements,’ states AHTD Director Scott Bennett.”

“An evaluation of scheduled federally funded projects will occur prior to each Department letting until

Congress acts to correct the funding shortfall. Letting dates in 2014 are scheduled for April 16, June 4,

July 23, Sept. 17, Nov. 5 and Dec. 17.”

- ArkansasMatters.com 3/19/14 (http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/planned-ar-highway-

projects-suspended-amid-funding/22549/mXTy2Jp9L02D0iO8qLpVfQ)

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/ahtd-highway-trust-fund-impasse-could-delay-broadw/35560/y8MzqcbpZE2V0JOoB2eANw

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/ahtd-highway-trust-fund-impasse-could-delay-broadw/35560/y8MzqcbpZE2V0JOoB2eANw

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/planned-ar-highway-projects-suspended-amid-funding/22549/mXTy2Jp9L02D0iO8qLpVfQ

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/planned-ar-highway-projects-suspended-amid-funding/22549/mXTy2Jp9L02D0iO8qLpVfQ


California:

“The purchase of new BART cars, planning for new Muni Metro light rail vehicles and Caltrain

electrification could be held up if Congress doesn’t reauthorize federal transportation funding by next

week.

The Bay Area relies heavily on federal funding to do everything from fixing potholes to the construction

of new highway interchanges, but the August 1st deadline could hold up billions of highway and transit

dollars. The federal money comes from the gas tax, which the federal government hasn’t raised in 30

years.

Congress has so far been unable to agree on a plan. Without one, dozens of projects could be delayed,

putting the state into debt.

Randy Rentschler with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission said the deadline can be a big deal.

‘The state of California had trouble with their budgets a number of years ago. Transportation funds were

held up, but that doesn’t mean the contract you sign with the builder stopped. You have a contract and

that contract has to be paid. If you interrupt and then restart that contract, just as though you were

doing it for the roof of your house, you’re gong to pay a premium,’ he said.

Without reauthorization of the transportation funding plan pothole repair, highway widening and

numerous other projects could all be affected. Bay Area transportation planners might have to go

through all of this again in May, because any move by Congress would only be for nine months.”

- CBS San Francisco 7/21/14 (http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/07/21/congress-could-delay-bay-

area-transportation-planning-by-holding-up-federal-funds/)

“On Thursday, California Sen. Barbara Boxer addressed the need for Congress to act on the law that

authorizes the nation's surface transportation programs to continue.”

“‘Cal Trans has warned us, that is the California Department of Transportation, they'd have no choice

but to halt the award of any new transportation projects that rely on federal funding as soon as October,

because who knows if there will be this shut down,’ said Boxer.

News Channel Five Caught up with Caltrans Director, Malcom Dougherty to learn how this halt could

affect the San Juan Road interchange construction over the 101, an area notorious for deadly accidents.

‘The dilemma we're facing with the highway trust fund, which is how the federal dollars flow to the

states to pay for transportation. It basically runs out of money about August. If that problem is not

solved in the near future we'll have a problem with our ongoing projects by the end of the calendar

year,’ said Dougherty.

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/07/21/congress-could-delay-bay-area-transportation-planning-by-holding-up-federal-funds/

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/07/21/congress-could-delay-bay-area-transportation-planning-by-holding-up-federal-funds/


This could essentially stop funding to new projects, and eventually stall projects already started by

January. The hope is to have this San Juan Road Interchange finished by next year. But if an agreement

isn't met by Congress, chances are it won't.”

- News Channel 5 7/4/14 (http://www.kionrightnow.com/news/local-news/sen-boxer-attends-press-

congress-in-aromas/26788640)

“If Congress fails to do anything about the looming depletion of the federal Highway Trust Fund,

California could limp along for a time, using money it has squirreled away to keep existing highway

repair projects going.

‘While Caltrans maintains a sufficient cash balance to weather a short-term disruption of federal

reimbursements, we can only do so with the assurance that the federal government will continue to

honor commitments made to projects already underway,’ says Vanessa Wiseman, a spokeswoman for

the California Department of Transportation in an email response to questions posed by CVBT.

California gets more than $3.2 billion in federal funding annually for transportation projects across the

state.

‘Earlier this year, Caltrans reported to the California Transportation Commission that an estimated

federal funding reduction of 30 percent would likely mean that the department would be able to

weather the first federal quarter before having to consider shutting down projects,’ she says. ‘This is

because the department endeavors to maintain a prudent cash reserve in order to weather disruptions

like this.’”

“The loss of federal highway money ‘for a significant length of time’ could cause the state to stop

allocation of resources to new projects, Ms. Wiseman says. ‘In total, the lack of new obligations would

imperil current year planned construction of $2 billion for 250 state-sponsored rehabilitation projects,

about $700 million in capacity improvement projects, and billions more on local streets and roads. It

would also impact our ability to continue work on more than 670 ongoing projects, worth more than

$11 billion.’”

- Central Valley Business Times 7/1/14

(http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=26206)

Colorado:

“The Federal Highway Trust Fund, which pays for state bridges and highways, could run out of money as

early as August.

If Congress doesn’t come up with a solution, the U.S. Transportation Department says it will start pulling

back funding for state projects, which could impact construction on Colorado roads.

http://www.kionrightnow.com/news/local-news/sen-boxer-attends-press-congress-in-aromas/26788640

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http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=26206


‘If congress doesn't resolve this issue, then CDOT will have to make some tough decisions as far as

projects to be funded,’ Colorado Department of Transportation spokesperson Bob Wilson said.

The lack of funding leaves some future projects up in the air, but Wilson says there is a plan in place to

complete current highway construction projects.

‘Right now we're in pretty good shape and we're going to be using our existing cash balances to keep

existing projects moving on.’ Wilson said. ‘Any project you see underway right now, will continue to

move forward. We do have balances on hand to cover those costs.’”

“Wilson said CDOT is waiting for Congress to take action.

‘We're crossing our fingers so this gets resolved sooner rather than later so we don't have any kind of

work stoppages,’ Wilson said.”

- KRDO.com 7/22/14 (http://www.kjct8.com/news/regional/261330281.html)

“State and local governments could take a big hit on federal funding for transportation and transit

projects next year. The Colorado Department of Transportation's annual budget is $1.1 billion and about

half that comes from federal funds.

The Highway Trust Fund is running low meaning if congress isn't able to refill it, state and local

governments could lose millions of dollars in funding.

‘That would be a very serious situation for Colorado and all of the states,’ Colorado Transportation

Commission Chairman Doug Aden said.

If the state loses its federal allocation, CDOT would essentially have to shut down it's entire construction

division. Many projects that are already funded would be able to finish, but there would be no new

construction contracts and several projects in the works would be delayed.”

“A great majority of CDOT's projects are done by private contractors, all a part of an industry that is

slowly recovering and still holds high unemployment rates.

‘Any slow down or stoppage in CDOT projects would have a devastating impact on the economy and on

unemployment in the heavy construction industry,’ Aden said.

State dollars would still be able to cover small maintenance projects and road surface treatment, but

bigger projects like work on I-70 B would have to come to a halt.”

“The deadline for action on this funding item is still a few months out. Congress has until this fall to

make a decision. In the meantime emergency funds will be used to keep certain projects going for things

like flood related road repairs.”

- KJCT8.com 5/30/14 (http://www.kjct8.com/news/regional/261330281.html)

http://www.kjct8.com/news/regional/261330281.html

http://www.kjct8.com/news/regional/261330281.html


“The Colorado Department of Transportation is banking on federal help to widen Interstate 25 to ease

congestion between Denver and Fort Collins.

But that and other future road, bridge and transit projects across Colorado may never get off the ground

unless Congress finds a permanent fix for the perennial funding shortage plaguing the federal Highway

Trust Fund, officials say.

The fund — made up of federal gas taxes — is expected to run out of money by Oct. 1, when fiscal year

2015 begins, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

That could spell doom for plans to add a third lane to I-25 in the Front Range, which would cost $1

billion or more.

‘Without having the federal government as a partner, major projects like that are probably not going to

get completed or get underway,’ said Kurt Morrison, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s

federal liaison. ‘We don’t know how we’re going to fund that. ... Our budget is so strained.’”

- coloradoan.com 3/39/14

(http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20140329/NEWS01/303290107?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1)

Connecticut:

“U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx stopped in Connecticut for a few hours Thursday to solicit

the help of state officials in encouraging Congress to shore up the U.S. Transportation Department’s

Highway Trust Fund.

But there was little he needed to say to convince Connecticut’s Congressional delegation. U.S. Reps. Joe

Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, and Elizabeth Esty attended the meeting in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s office along

with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and each offered their support for the measure.”

“Malloy said Connecticut could survive without the federal funds for about 30 to 35 days, but it would

be unable to go out to bid for about 85 projects.

Those 85 projects represent about $380 million worth of construction on the highway side and about

$185 million on the transit side in Connecticut. All of them are in jeopardy if the fund becomes

insolvent.”

- CT News Junkie 7/3/14

(http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/transportation_secretary_finds_support_in_connecticut

_for_trust_fund/)

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20140329/NEWS01/303290107?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/transportation_secretary_finds_support_in_connecticut_for_trust_fund/

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/transportation_secretary_finds_support_in_connecticut_for_trust_fund/


Delaware:

“Route 1 safety improvements from Lewes to Rehoboth may not happen if the federal government can't

find a way to increase funding for its Highway Trust Fund, said U.S. Tom Carper.

As a member of the U.S. Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, Carper, a Democrat, said

he is pleased the bipartisan committee voted in favor a six-year transportation bill May 15 that keeps

federal spending on highways and mass transit at current levels.

The problem is maintaining current spending requires a $20 billion increase in revenue.”

“‘Our states and cities are counting on us to get the job done,’ said Carper standing in the Seaside

Tanger Outlets parking lot in Rehoboth Beach May 19. ‘If we choose not to address the funding shortfall

with a long-term solution, we will be undermining the ability of our states to do new multi-year projects

that are important to local economies and private sector businesses.’”

“Carper's staff provided a list of important Sussex County projects either under construction or ready for

bid that would be at risk of losing out on millions of dollars of Fiscal Year 2015 federal funds if the

transportation bill doesn't get passed.

Carper staff said the progress on projects under construction could be halted and include the widening

of Route 26 ($11.6 million at risk) and safety improvements along U.S. Route 9 ($4.2 million).

Projects ready to be bid that would not be able to move forward include Route 1 pedestrian

improvements in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach ($7.4M); and improvements at the intersection of

Plantations and Cedar Grove roads, and Postal Lane ($7.1M).”

-CapeGazette.com 6/2/14 (http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/carper-calls-for-increase-to-federal-

gas-tax/1189095)

District of Columbia:



height of the construction season.”

“If a highway funding plan emerges by Christmas, the odds are it will keep spending at current levels

plus inflation, far below the multitrillion-dollar infrastructure investment that some experts say is

necessary by 2020.

Meantime, however, unless Congress moves to address the trust fund shortfall, states will be in hot

water by August.

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/carper-calls-for-increase-to-federal-gas-tax/1189095

http://capegazette.villagesoup.com/p/carper-calls-for-increase-to-federal-gas-tax/1189095


‘Our major capital projects could be slowed or potentially suspended,’ said Reggie Sanders, a spokesman

for the D.C. Department of Transportation. ‘It would be a big setback.’”




Florida:

“Fort Lauderdale's Wave streetcar, express toll lane projects on Interstate 75 and new sidewalks are at

risk as federal tax money that helps pay for transportation projects is in danger of running out.

Congress is moving swiftly to shore up a budget shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund before an August

deadline. The House on Tuesday passed a measure for a short-term fix of $10.5 billion that would pay

for transportation projects until May 2015. The Senate is looking at passing a similar measure before

lawmakers' August break.

But if an agreement isn't reached soon, a number of big and small projects could be delayed or possibly

stopped altogether.

In Broward County, some $1.5 billion in transportation projects hang in the balance, said Greg Stuart,

executive director of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization.

‘It would be a major hit,’ he said. ‘Anything with federal money — and it's a lot of things — all of those

projects would have to be slowed down.’

An extended delay in federal funds could negatively impact the Wave electric streetcar that is expected

to start running in 2016.

The Broward MPO has about $100 million in sidewalks projects planned as part of its Complete Streets

effort. And express lanes underway on Interstate 75, a $700 million project being constructed in phases,

could by stymied by congressional inaction, Stuart said.

Local roads would not be impacted because cities and counties use property and gas taxes as well as

impact fees to maintain roads and bridges and run buses.

Faced with the prospect of an insolvent highway trust fund, the Florida Department of Transportation

has been setting aside extra cash so work can continue without federal money. But that will only last

three to six months.

Beyond that, the state DOT would focus on safety and preserving the existing system. And then they

would look at delaying some projects, said Barbara Kelleher, a FDOT spokeswoman.”




- SunSentinel 7/19/14 (http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-07-19/news/fl-broward-federal-highway-

money-20140719_1_transportation-projects-federal-money-transit-projects)

“Federal tax money that pays for roads and passenger trains all over the country, including the Wekiva

Parkway and SunRail in metro Orlando , will run out in just a few weeks unless Congress finds billions of

extra dollars.

If Congress goes into its five-week August recess without setting aside the additional cash for the so-

called Highway Trust Fund , projects big and small could be delayed or possibly stopped, though Florida

officials say they can keep work going into the fall without federal money.

After that, most bets are off -- although Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad

promised the $2.3 billion overhaul of I-4 through downtown Orlando will happen no matter what.

‘That's a top priority for the state,’ Prasad said.

A long congressional drought could harm SunRail, which is in line for tens of millions of federal money

for the Phase II expansion of the system in 2016, and the $1.6 billion Wekiva Parkway , now under

construction but not slated for completion until 2021.

There should be little impact to the upkeep of local roads. Most cities and counties rely on property and

other taxes to pay for filling potholes and repaving streets.”

- Engineering News-Record 7/14/14

(http://enr.construction.com/yb/enr/article.aspx?story_id=id:Z2qKaiUPPdlVyGMau4RSZrNTK7N22jdE5Y

_bdfCMXX1afcYSz00OwxJZZT4HBsw8)

“The federal transportation trust fund will reach a critically low level this summer, and Congress

continues to stall on a comprehensive long term solution.

We’ve learned that could have an impact on the roads you drive every day.

The Florida Department of Transportation says we are in better shape than some other states, because

only about one-third of Florida’s transportation funding comes from the federal government.

‘We could survive an insolvent federal highway trust fund for three to six months, roughly, without any

negative impact, Beyond that point, then there will be a tangible impact that just can’t be avoided,’ says

FDOT Public Information Officer Ron Tittle.

He says the FDOT has already been working on prioritizing funding needs.

‘Safety and preservation is first,’ he says.

Tittle says FDOT also ranks highly any project that involves a public/private partnership.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-07-19/news/fl-broward-federal-highway-money-20140719_1_transportation-projects-federal-money-transit-projects

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2014-07-19/news/fl-broward-federal-highway-money-20140719_1_transportation-projects-federal-money-transit-projects

http://enr.construction.com/yb/enr/article.aspx?story_id=id:Z2qKaiUPPdlVyGMau4RSZrNTK7N22jdE5Y_bdfCMXX1afcYSz00OwxJZZT4HBsw8

http://enr.construction.com/yb/enr/article.aspx?story_id=id:Z2qKaiUPPdlVyGMau4RSZrNTK7N22jdE5Y_bdfCMXX1afcYSz00OwxJZZT4HBsw8


‘The other projects that we’re working on or that we’re planning toward, we may have to start cutting

back on those,’ Tittle says.

That could include road repair projects for rough and bumpy- but not dangerous- streets as well as less

mowing on state roads.

While those long term concerns are very real, Tittle says everything will continue to function as is in the

short term, and he’s hopeful Congress will come up with a solution before the funding runs out.”

-News 104.5 WOKV 6/26/14 (http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/fdot-creating-priorities-while-

federal-funding-sol/ngS4Y/)

Georgia:

“With engineering and environmental work completed and rights-of-way purchased for the widening of

Highway 133 from Moultrie to Valdosta, only one thing is missing -- money.

A congressional squabble over how to replenish the national Highway Trust Fund, which needs an

infusion of cash beyond the federal gas tax, without which states are facing a 28 percent cut in federal

money, is holding up the Georgia Department from awarding contracts for the final three sections.

The good news is that two of the five sections are fully funded for paving, and the project that has been

a priority in Colquitt County for years seems to have support at the state level.

So far in the project, federal money is funding 80 percent and the state is picking up the other 20

percent, said Juanita Birmingham, a spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Of the remaining five legs of the Moultrie-to-Valdosta route, two each are in Brooks and Colquitt County

and the fifth spans a portion of both counties.

The overall is part of a 66-mile route that begins in Albany, but the south portion is ahead in terms of

completion as not all of the engineering and land purchasing has been completed on the Albany-to-

Moultrie route. It is a Georgia’s Road Improvement corridor project, with that program meant to give all

Georgia communities close access to four-lane highways and interstate highways.

Those two projects will four-lane the roadway in Brooks County from Troupeville Road to Pauline Church

Road. The $20.7 million project was awarded to Reames and Son Construction Co. Inc. of Valdosta, with

a targeted completion date of summer 2016. The total projected cost including preparation work is

$24.9 million.

The Colquitt County portion will add a two-way center turn lane along the entire 4.4 miles. It also was

awarded to Reames for $15 million and also has a targeted completion date of summer 2016. That

section has a projected total cost of 15.2 million.

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/fdot-creating-priorities-while-federal-funding-sol/ngS4Y/

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/fdot-creating-priorities-while-federal-funding-sol/ngS4Y/


It takes six to eight weeks for the DOT to issue a notice to proceed to the contractor, Birmingham said.

‘Occasional lane closures and lane shifts may be necessary, but there should not be any major traffic

interruptions,’ she said in an email response. ‘These two sections are 6.742 and 4.430 miles. Letting of

the other projects/sections will depend on federal transportation funding.’

If federal road money begins flowing again in a timely manner it is possible that the other three sections

of the southern portion of the project could be let before the end of the year.”

-The Moultrie Observer 7/12/14 (http://www.moultrieobserver.com/local/x611411328/DOT-awards-

bids-for-2-parts-of-Highway-133-project)

“A series of public information meetings starting Monday, part of a long-standing three-county planning

initiative, will play a role in charting the course of transportation infrastructure development in Athens-

Clarke County and parts of Madison and Oconee counties over the next six years.

The planning is being done under the umbrella of the Madison/Athens-Clarke/Oconee Regional

Transportation Study, a Metropolitan Planning Organization set up some years ago to ensure the flow of

federal transportation dollars into the three counties.

Interestingly, concerns about the flow of those federal dollars is impacting the scope of transportation

planning both locally and throughout the country.”

“Sherry McDuffie, the Athens-Clarke County transportation planner who works with MACORTS, said last

week that she and local officials are ‘quite concerned’ about the looming insolvency of the trust fund.

‘If Congress doesn’t take some action, we’ll be in a world of hurt,’ she said.

In fact, according to McDuffie, the trust fund issue has meant that the Georgia Department of

Transportation is not undertaking any projects for which contracts have not already been signed.

Among the projects that has made it under the wire, and that is included in the transportation plan, is a

$23 million widening of Mars Hill Road to four lanes, with turn lanes where needed, between Georgia

Highway 316 and Hog Mountain Road. A planned future stage of that project would widen Experiment

Station Road to four lanes between Hog Mountain Road and U.S. Highway 441.”

-OnlineAthens 7/5/14 (http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2014-07-05/three-county-road-works-

planning-continues-federal-funding-remains-question)

“Two dozen transportation projects across Georgia can’t get underway because state officials worry the

federal government won’t be able to chip in its share of the costs.

That’s because the federal Highway Trust Fund is projected to run out of money this summer.”

http://www.moultrieobserver.com/local/x611411328/DOT-awards-bids-for-2-parts-of-Highway-133-project

http://www.moultrieobserver.com/local/x611411328/DOT-awards-bids-for-2-parts-of-Highway-133-project

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2014-07-05/three-county-road-works-planning-continues-federal-funding-remains-question

http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2014-07-05/three-county-road-works-planning-continues-federal-funding-remains-question


“Georgia officials don’t want to start projects they can’t finish. State law requires essentially having all of

the cash on hand before digging the first shovelful of dirt.

‘This summer, Georgia and other states are all totally confused about availability of funds because the

transportation bill we have now, which expires in September, is not fully funded,’ said Todd Long,

Georgia’s assistant transportation commissioner.

For the most part, when projects currently under way conclude, activity ‑ and construction jobs ‑ will

end without a fully funded, long-term federal bill. That could ultimately jeopardize major local projects

that are in the planning stage, such as a $12-million project to widen the West Winder Bypass in Barrow

County and $24 million for interchanges on Ga. 316 at Ga. 81 and Ga. 11.

However, the three regions that passed the transportation sales tax, like the one centered around

Augusta, will continue to see activity on projects funded solely by the new tax and state money.

As a temporary measure, Gov. Nathan Deal approved the sale of bonds and the use of some accrued

state gas-tax money. It will fund a reduced number of projects that are eligible for federal contributions,

which will be made up once Congress passes a bill.

‘We looked at capacity and decided that was the most we could do. These are still relatively small, but it

continues to allow us to have work,’ Long said. ‘... We can’t do this again.’”

-OnlineAthens 5/25/14 (http://onlineathens.com/general-assembly/2014-05-24/depletion-federal-

highway-funds-stalls-georgia-road-projects)

“More than 70 transportation projects across Georgia could be delayed indefinitely because the federal

Highway Trust Fund is running dry, state highway officials said.

In metro Atlanta, this might mean a redesigned interchange with additional left-turn lanes on I-285 at

Flat Shoals Road in Decatur will have to wait. Another right-turn lane on the exit ramp of Ga. 400 North

at Holcomb Bridge Road may be put on hold. Cars could keep stacking up in busy Buckhead because

plans for a left-turn lane on Piedmont Road at Habersham Road could be pushed back.

And dozens of road resurfacing and bridge maintenance projects may be stalled, all because Congress

has not acted to shore up the soon-to-be insolvent federal fund that pays for transportation projects

across the country.

Federal dollars account for more than half the money in the Georgia Department of Transportation’s

total budget. And about two-thirds of the money GDOT spends on capital improvements comes from

the federal Highway Trust Fund.

But U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx issued letter to state transportation department heads

on Wednesday notifying them that the trust fund is projected to go into the red as early as August.

http://onlineathens.com/general-assembly/2014-05-24/depletion-federal-highway-funds-stalls-georgia-road-projects

http://onlineathens.com/general-assembly/2014-05-24/depletion-federal-highway-funds-stalls-georgia-road-projects


Without an infusion of cash from its general fund or a new surface transportation bill, the federal

government won’t be able to honor its commitments to states for bridge, highway and transit projects.”

“GDOT Commissioner Keith Golden said Georgia won’t have to halt any active projects. But he has set a

July 1 cutoff for authorizing new projects because of the uncertainty about how quickly Georgia would

receive federal reimbursements.

About $200 million worth of projects that were set to begin this summer will be delayed indefinitely

until the federal funding question is decided, he said.

‘It’s a huge impact to our state,’ Golden said. ‘Summer is usually our major construction season.’”

-ajc.com 5/8/14 (http://www.ajc.com/news/news/transportation/georgia-projects-imperiled-if-federal-

transportati/nfryn/)

“The Georgia Department of Transportation had hoped to seek construction bids for a $3.3 million

improvement project in April, with work taking place soon after.

Officials aren’t sure now when that will take place.”

“DOT Commissioner Keith Golden told a Hall County audience on March 13 that federal money for roads

is drying up long before the current spending law ends Sept. 30.

‘Starting in July, we will not be authorizing any federal aid projects — or very few, if any at all,’ he said.

‘There will be no design dollars authorized, no rights of way purchased for federal-aid projects and no

construction dollars going out the door until Congress gives us some kind of certainty as to what the

future holds.’”

-The Gainsville Times 3/23/14 (http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/97296/)

“State Department of Transportation Commissioner Keith Golden told a Gainesville audience Thursday

that lack of funding from the federal government is hampering highway projects not just in Georgia, but

all over the country.”

“DOT District Engineer Bayne Smith brought credence to Golden's statements as he outlined major

transportation projects for the Hall County area. While a number of those projects are underway, there

are those that are being planned, but have no funding. The widening of SR 11/US 129 from Limestone

Parkway to Nopone Road is one such project; the widening of SR 60/Thompson Bridge Road from SR 136

to Yellow Creek Road is another.

“Four specific projects (Spout Springs Road, the Sardis Road Connector, SR 13/Atlanta Highway, SR

369/Browns Bridge Road) … all need expansion or completion, but are stalled because of lack of dollars.”

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/transportation/georgia-projects-imperiled-if-federal-transportati/nfryn/

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/transportation/georgia-projects-imperiled-if-federal-transportati/nfryn/

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/97296/


-AccessNorthGa.com 3/14/14 (http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=272361)

Illinois:

“Congress needs to act to make sure the federal Highway Trust Fund doesn't run dry in less than a

month, putting road workers and their families in a lurch and halting badly needed infrastructure

improvements across the country, Illinois Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Monday morning.

Durbin was joined by state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, and representatives of road construction

workers on the Camp Butler Road overpass over Interstate 72 near Riverton, which is being rebuilt.”

“Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said 75 percent of all road projects in Illinois are sustained in

part by federal funds. He said the Highway Trust Fund supported 90 percent of the $14.8 million Camp

Butler Road bridge work. Illinois receives about $2 billion a year from the fund, $1.4 billion of which is

used for highways, roads and bridges.”

“Manar said inaction in Congress will hurt downstate Illinois especially hard ‘because so much of our

economy revolves around access to infrastructure.’

‘It's critical that Congress gets this right and solves this in a timely fashion. We're on a crash course.

Absent of action, we have a crisis on our hands,’ he said.

“Listed on the Illinois Department of Transportation's 2015-20 multiyear plan is a proposed

reconstruction of Interstate 55 and I-72 around Springfield that would include a reconstruction of the

road with additional lanes in each direction and reconstruction of functionally obsolete cloverleaf

interchanges.

The $600 million to $650 million project would take place along I-55 from the Sixth Street interchange to

the Sherman interchange and on I-72 from Illinois 4 to I-55 and from I-55 to Old Route 36.

Manar said there is no way the project, the design stage of which is expected to conclude in 2016, could

be completed without federal help.

‘There's no way we can do that on our own, and we shouldn't have to. The federal government ought to

be in the business of repairing and maintaining our highways,’ he said.”

-The State-Journal Register 7/7/14 (http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=272361)

Iowa:

“Five road construction projects have been identified for delay due to the potential loss of $450 million

from Iowa’s transportation budget when the new federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=272361

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=272361


The Iowa Department of Transportation announced planned delays to ‘lettings’ for some of next year’s

projects because there is not a federal transportation allocation plan after Oct. 1.

Lettings are when the state awards contracts to complete projects.

The $450 million in federal money pays for about half of Iowa’s annual road plan budget.

Officials believe Congress will eventually adopt a funding plan, even if it is a stop gap measure, but they

are still taking precautions. Those were announced Tuesday during an Iowa Transportation Commission

meeting.

A $2.4 million road shoulder paving project on U.S. 218 in Black Hawk County, scheduled for letting in

July will be delayed until November.

Five lettings for work on U.S. 61 in Louisa County over the next few months will be delayed until at least

October.

That project will include grading, paving and wetland mitigation costs more than $16 million.

A $4 million modernization of a westbound rest area in Jasper County is being pushed back from the July

letting schedule.

In Scott County, local road connections and traffic signs for Interstate 74 would be pushed off the

September letting schedule. That project is estimated at $13.1 million.

Other delays could be possible.

Stuart Anderson, a director with Iowa DOT, said if Congress acts before October, the delay could be

mitigated. The construction could still be completed on time without any noticeable impact, he said.

‘If Congress acts, it’s possible there’s no impact to the schedule,’ Anderson said. ‘The reason for the

action we are initiating now is because there is not a fix to this issue.’

In a separate but related issue, Anderson addressed the reduction and delay of federal reimbursements

connected to the Highway Trust Fund, which helps pay for highway repairs. Those changes are expected

beginning Aug. 1.

Anderson said the changes could costs Iowa $15 million every two weeks.”

- Creston News Advertiser 7/9/14 (http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/2014/07/09/five-road-

construction-projects-identified-for-delay/abziq3x/)

“The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved the Fiscal Year 2015-2019 Iowa Transportation

Improvement Program.”

http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/2014/07/09/five-road-construction-projects-identified-for-delay/abziq3x/

http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/2014/07/09/five-road-construction-projects-identified-for-delay/abziq3x/


“A major component of the Program is the highway section, which documents programmed investments

in the Primary Highway System for the next five years. For FY 2015-2019, approximately $2.7 billion is

forecast to be available for highway right of way and construction.”

“Flat or uncertain revenue at the federal and state level, increasing construction costs, and the need to

invest in the existing highway system has limited the Commision from adding additional large multiyear

corridor improvement projects. Without additional revenue at the state and/or federal level, the

Commission does not anticipate being able to add additional large multiyear corridor projects to the

Program for the foreseeable future.

A large part of funding available for highway programming comes from the federal government.

Accurately estimating future federal funding levels is dependent on having a multiyear federal

transportation authorization bill. The current authorization, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st

Century (MAP-21), is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2014, resulting in continued federal funding uncertainty

after this date.

Another major concern with federal funding is the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which is funded

primarily from federal fuel taxes, will not be able to provide funding at current levels after August 2014.

If this is not corrected, drastic cuts to the federal highway program are anticipated and the Commission

will have to make significant changes to the Program in FY 2015 and beyond.

Approximately half of the funding available for programming projects in FY 2015 could be affected by

this issue. If the need arises for the Commission to decide which projects will be rescheduled, they will

consider statewide equity, length of time a project has been considered for programming, how many

times a project has been rescheduled, purpose of a project, whether the project is already underway,

local efforts to move forward on a project, and current conditions and need for a project.”

- Iowa DOT 6/10/14 (http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2014/06/fy-2015-2019-iowa-

transportation-improvement-program-approved-by-the-iowa-transportation-commission.html)

“Summer is peak road construction time in Iowa and work has begun on many projects on the Iowa

Department of Transportation's list of priorities for this year, but questions about whether federal

money will continue to flow has state officials concerned.

A funding crisis could develop if Congress doesn't come up with money by July for the Highway Trust

Fund, which provides about half the funding for Iowa DOT road projects.”

“The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates the balance in the highway account will drop below

$4 billion in July and without a cash infusion, federal reimbursement for road projects will be cut back.

‘That's the trigger for USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to start doing partial

reimbursements to keep the highway trust fund solvent,’ said Stuart Anderson, director of the Iowa

DOT's Planning, Programming and Modal Division.

http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2014/06/fy-2015-2019-iowa-transportation-improvement-program-approved-by-the-iowa-transportation-commission.html

http://www.news.iowadot.gov/newsandinfo/2014/06/fy-2015-2019-iowa-transportation-improvement-program-approved-by-the-iowa-transportation-commission.html


State transportation officials are running scenarios for different levels of reimbursement and assessing

how the state could make use of its existing cash balance to pay contractors.

‘We are looking at those different scenarios now so we're prepared. That's something we're hopeful

we'll be able to mitigate if it happens,’ Anderson said.”

“Failure to provide money for next year would cut Iowa's planned projects of more than $600 million in

half, Anderson said. Cities and counties also get a portion of their transportation funding from the

federal government and would be affected, too.”

“The Iowa Transportation Commission has developed a plan for delaying certain projects next year if

federal money isn't available. Commissioners will consider several factors including the amount of

money the state DOT has on hand, the length of time a project has been considered, and current need

for the project.”

- SFGate 5/31/14 (http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iowa-road-work-peaks-federal-funding-in-

question-5518651.php)

“Whether or not state lawmakers raise the motor fuel tax Iowa this year, Iowa faces a fiscal cliff likely to

reduce transportation construction funds – and jobs — later this year.

That’s because the money in the federal Highway Trust Fund for the federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1

will be dedicated to pay for commitments made in prior years, Iowa Department of Transportation

Director Paul Trombino told the House Transportation Committee Jan. 23.”

“Trombino said DOT staff and the Transportation Commission are considering contingency plans – how

to decide which projects might be pulled from the construction program, which by the end of June will

top $700 million.”

- The Gazette 1/23/14 (http://thegazette.com/2014/01/23/iowa-will-feel-impact-of-transportation-

fiscal-cliff-this-year/#ixzz2rcl4mRAu)

Kentucky:

“Congressional inaction threatening the solvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund may cost Kentucky

$185 million for projects, drastically changing how the state pays for road construction, Gov. Steve

Beshear said Wednesday.

Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, who was visiting the state, criticized Congress

for inaction that will reduce the amount the highway trust fund reimburses states for roadwork by 28

percent, affecting upwards of 700,000 jobs nationwide.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iowa-road-work-peaks-federal-funding-in-question-5518651.php

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Iowa-road-work-peaks-federal-funding-in-question-5518651.php

http://thegazette.com/2014/01/23/iowa-will-feel-impact-of-transportation-fiscal-cliff-this-year/#ixzz2rcl4mRAu

http://thegazette.com/2014/01/23/iowa-will-feel-impact-of-transportation-fiscal-cliff-this-year/#ixzz2rcl4mRAu


‘Simply put, if you drive on Kentucky's highways, or if your business depends upon our roads to move

your workers, your goods, your supplies or your customers, you will see a negative impact,’ Beshear

said.

Of the $185 million in jeopardy, $150 million will affect the widening of I-65 between Bowling Green and

Elizabethtown, a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman said. The remaining $35 million is slated

for ‘pavement rehabilitation’ projects across the state.

Neither Beshear nor KYTC Secretary Mike Hancock offered a figure of how many road contracting jobs in

Kentucky could be affected if Congress doesn't shore up the fund.

The trust fund's issues would not affect the under-construction Ohio River Bridges Project, they said.

Hancock said Kentucky has about $500 million in trust fund assets, but that figure has about $1.5 billion

against it in the form of project commitments.”

“The fund is currently around $4 billion, down from $8.1 billion as of May 30, according to data released

by the U.S. transportation department. Kentucky receives about $650 million from the trust fund

annually, but the number will drop considerably if a solution isn't found.”

“Beshear said the uncertainty surrounding the process would prevent the state from planning its future

infrastructure. The state will try to use state funds to ‘mitigate’ the damage, he said. But it's a stop-gap

measure that won't last forever.

‘If we have to start operating day-to-day, so to speak, by living off of what's coming in from the

[diminished] Federal Highway Trust Fund, then we will have to suspend all new federal construction

until the problem is resolved,’ Beshear said.

‘Unless, of course, Congress acts. And that's the solution.’”

- WKU Public Radio 7/2/14 (http://wkyufm.org/post/federal-highway-trust-fund-insolvency-threatens-

185-million-kentucky-projects)

“Road construction projects in Kentucky and the rest of the country will be in jeopardy if Congress

doesn’t find a way to replenish the national Highway Trust Fund.

The fund, which reimburses states for transportation costs, is expected to dry up by late summer. As a

precaution, Transportation Cabinet Spokesman Chuck Wolfe says Kentucky has delayed the start of

some projects.

‘We had about $195 million worth of contracting work that we would have advertised for bids last

month, but did not do so,’ comments Wolfe.”

http://wkyufm.org/post/federal-highway-trust-fund-insolvency-threatens-185-million-kentucky-projects

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“Wolfe says in the past Congress has tapped into other sources of taxpayer dollars, but has been

reluctant in doing so.”

- WKU Public Radio 6/11/14 (http://wkyufm.org/post/federal-funding-uncertain-kentucky-road-

projects)

“Kentucky could lose nearly $650 million in federal funding in 2015 for building and maintaining roads

unless Congress shifts additional money into the Highway Trust Fund, a state official said.

Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock told the Legislature's Joint Transportation Committee that all 50

states would experience the same financial wallop if the Highway Trust Fund isn't replenished.

‘We have to let you know that this is a very real possibility if Congress fails to act,'' Hancock said. “This

has wide-ranging implications for all states.’”

“Gov. Steve Beshear's administration has begun work on the state's next two-year budget. Hancock said

he's operating under the assumption that the shortfall ‘will be fixed in one way or another’ and that ‘the

money is going to materialize.’”

- ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com 1/4/14 (http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Kentucky-

Faces-Potential-Loss-of-Fed-Road-Funds/21895/)

Maine:

“If congressional leaders in Washington fail to make a deal to replenish billions of dollars in federal

highway funding by the end of July, Maine plans to draw on savings and bond money so it may continue

with road and bridge projects during August and September.

The temporary funding plan, announced Friday by the office of Gov. Paul LePage, would rely on an

estimated $27 million to $29 million from a state transportation trust fund and, if a long-term solution

proves elusive, additional bonding money.

‘Inaction on both of these matters has both short- and long-term negative effects on transportation

infrastructure and construction industry jobs, as well as Maine’s economy as a whole,’ LePage said. ‘This

is another example of the federal government playing games, which harm Maine’s ability to keep people

working and fix our roads and bridges, which are in need of repair after the long winter.’

At issue is the federal Highway Trust Fund, which is funded by the federal fuel tax and distributed to

states to pay for infrastructure projects.

Without congressional action, the highway fund is expected to become insolvent by the beginning of

August, triggering a roughly 70 percent reduction in reimbursements to states.

http://wkyufm.org/post/federal-funding-uncertain-kentucky-road-projects

http://wkyufm.org/post/federal-funding-uncertain-kentucky-road-projects

http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Kentucky-Faces-Potential-Loss-of-Fed-Road-Funds/21895/

http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/Kentucky-Faces-Potential-Loss-of-Fed-Road-Funds/21895/


In August alone, the state expected to receive $40 million in federal cash to pay for construction

projects, or about a quarter of the roughly $165 million Maine receives annually in federal highway

dollars.”

“If the federal shortfall extends into September, the LePage administration plans to tap into state bond

money.

‘Again, this is not new money, and if federal funds for full reimbursements are not restored, there will

be a need to curtail projects statewide,’ said Maine Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt. ‘If

there is still no resolution to the cash-flow crisis by Oct. 1, there will be few options left and would likely

force a devastating decision to reduce and/or delay payments to contractors for work already

performed.’”

- Portland Press Herald 7/12/14 (http://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/11/lepage-savings-bonds-could-

bridge-federal-highway-shortfall/)

“State transportation officials are scrambling to find ways to keep their construction season on schedule

with the threat of a shortfall in federal highway money looming.

‘The Highway Trust Fund on the federal side has got to a point where there is not enough funding to

fund all the projects that are out there in the country,’ explained Maine Department of Transportation

Commissioner David Bernhardt.

If Congress fails to act by the end of the month, the federal Highway Trust Fund could become insolvent,

forcing the government to reduce the payments it makes to Maine and other states that help pay for

transportation and infrastructure improvements.

The federal gas tax, which has been 18.4 cents on a gallon of gas since 1993, combined with increased

fuel efficiency and a reduction in the number of miles driven by motorists has lead to the fund being

underfunded for years.

‘You can't just shut the conveyor belt down, you can't slow it down,’ stated Bernhardt. ‘Some states are

doing that, they are literally stopping right now.’

He says the state's limited construction window makes it nearly impossible to delay the projects until

the situation is resolved, so the DOT is taking money on hand from other places to finish the jobs they

started this year.

‘If we use that now, and we don't get reimbursed, than we will have some difficulty in 2015,’ he said. He

says the uncertainty also makes it difficult to plan for the future.

‘Contractors need to know, municipalities need to know, the public need to know what are we doing

next year,’ said Bernhardt. ‘It is going to be very hard for us to do that not knowing, is there going to be

money?’

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/11/lepage-savings-bonds-could-bridge-federal-highway-shortfall/

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/11/lepage-savings-bonds-could-bridge-federal-highway-shortfall/


Governor Paul LePage says the state stands to lose between $27 million and $29 million in federal

reimbursements that the state had anticipated receiving. He says the economy will be impacted if

nothing is done soon.

‘It is not just roads and potholes, it is bridges. It's ports,’ LePage explained. ‘I mean, here we have

Eimskip that we have got a commitment to to enlarge the port, not just so we can have construction

jobs, but long-term economic development jobs, full-time jobs for the foreseeable future, and the

government is just playing games.’”

- WLBZ2 7/9/14 (http://www.wlbz2.com/story/news/local/augusta-

waterville/2014/07/09/construction-crisis/12429851/)

“State transportation officials are planning for a possible shortfall of federal highway dollars that could

begin as early as August, cutting a flow of money that pays as much as 80 percent of the cost of Maine’s

road and bridge projects.

The federal Highway Trust Fund, which helps states pay for transportation projects, is expected to

become insolvent by the end of July unless Congress acts to replenish it.

Last year, Maine received $165 million in federal funds to help pay for hundreds of projects. During the

peak construction season, federal officials reimburse the state at a rate of $5 million to $10 million a

week, said Karen Doyle, director of finance for the Maine Department of Transportation.

This summer, it is still unclear how the state would deal with any reductions.

‘I think the biggest question at this point is, is this really going to happen?” Doyle said. “We’re all

optimistic that we won’t have to go there. But in any event, we’re sure that in the next couple of weeks

we’ll come up with something.’”

“The state plans to complete 425 capital projects in 2014, costing $190 million, according to the

Department of Transportation’s three-year work plan.

Funding varies for each project, but in general, many are about 80 percent financed by the federal

government, said MDOT spokesman Ted Talbot.

Still, according to Doyle, the department expects it will need about $110 million more than it now gets in

federal and state funding each year to properly repair and maintain the state’s highway and bridge

system.”

“Unless a deal is reached in Washington, the federal Department of Transportation plans to space out its

payments to the states starting in August, and reduce them based on a formula that spreads the

financial pain equally throughout the country.”

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- Portland Press Herald 7/4/14 (http://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/04/maine-braces-for-steep-drop-

in-highway-project-funds/)

Massachusetts:

“Nearly $5 billion of proposed road, transit, and bicycling improvements across Massachusetts are at

risk because Congress has failed to act at a time when the nation’s main source of highway funding

verges on insolvency.”

“At stake is $1 billion a year in federal funding for Massachusetts transportation projects, accounting for

about half the needed money, with the state covering the other half, for several years’ worth of

projects.

The dozens of projects potentially affected are large and small — ranging in cost from a few hundred

thousand dollars to a few hundred million dollars. Among them are the reconstruction of Interstate 91

in Springfield, resurfacing of US Route 1 in Peabody, bridge replacements on Route 16 in Medford and

Everett, and a new lane on Route 128 north of Wellesley as part of an ongoing project to expand the

entire highway to four full-time lanes in each direction. Other projects include a bicycle shuttle on Cape

Cod, a harbor walking path in Dorchester, rotary fixes, and a new pedestrian bridge in Western

Massachusetts.

A prolonged funding shortage could also derail the final phase of the Green Line extension in Medford

and the planned $1 billion South Station expansion.

‘That would be an enormous cut to our pretty ambitious transportation program,’ said Richard A. Davey,

the state transportation secretary. ‘Everything I think that the governor has worked so hard for in

transportation would be in jeopardy if we don’t see the highway trust fund replenished in some form.’”

“Massachusetts officials said they have yet to slow any projects nor has the Patrick administration

indicated which projects would be in jeopardy should Congress fail to reach a deal. But they caution that

all of the $4.9 billion in projects included on a 70-page list covering four years of plans are in danger.”

“Senator Edward J. Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who serves on two committees involved in the

bill, called the transportation deadlines ‘the most important priority for Congress this summer’ in a

statement.

‘If we do not address this looming crisis, we will chill long-term investment in construction, neglect

Massachusetts roads, bridges, and transit, and undermine our economy and job creation,’ he added.”

- Boston Globe 5/4/14 (http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/05/03/transportation-

projects-across-state-could-halted-congress-fails-

act/NuxwZCw7lphNZVSk0iDjtO/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline)

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/04/maine-braces-for-steep-drop-in-highway-project-funds/

http://www.pressherald.com/2014/07/04/maine-braces-for-steep-drop-in-highway-project-funds/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/05/03/transportation-projects-across-state-could-halted-congress-fails-act/NuxwZCw7lphNZVSk0iDjtO/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline




Michigan:

“The Highway Trust Fund, which returns more than $1 billion in federal gas tax collections to Michigan

each year, is running on fumes and could be fully depleted by late August or September if Congress does

not figure out a way to replenish it.”

‘If the trust fund is not replenished, the gridlock in Washington is going to reach Main Street America,’

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told Bloomberg News this week. ‘We're expecting that by

late June, maybe middle July, some of the states will already start to pull back projects and slow other

projects down and even stop some.’

The situation in Michigan isn't quite as dire, according to Department of Transportation spokesperson

Jeff Cranson, who said the state should be able to complete all planned construction projects this

summer even if the Highway Trust Fund issue is not resolved.

But 2015 could be a different story.

‘Without the trust fund our state matching funds would be focused on minor projects and heavy

maintenance,’ Cranson said in an email. ‘Nothing of significance would be completed. We would need to

do pavement markings and reactive maintenance.’”

- MLive 6/26/14 (http://www.mlive.com/lansing-

news/index.ssf/2014/06/michigan_road_funding_crisis_c.html)

Minnesota:

“Time is running short. The House is 15 days away from its five-week summer recess. If Congress is not

able to reach an agreement before then, federal highway funding will be cut by 28 percent on Aug. 1,

about the time that construction season starts in most states.”

“Kevin Gutknecht, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said the state can

finance its entire lineup of road and bridge repairs for the rest of the year, ‘but obviously we are worried

about the long-term effects if Congress doesn’t do anything to address the problem.’”

- The New York Times 7/8/14 (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/us/house-committee-takes-step-

toward-renewing-highway-trust-fund.html?_r=0)

“Folks at the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Met Council are keeping a close watch on

how the federal government is going to fund transportation in the wake of the recent predictions that

the Highway Trust Fund will go broke by August.”

http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/06/michigan_road_funding_crisis_c.html

http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/06/michigan_road_funding_crisis_c.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/us/house-committee-takes-step-toward-renewing-highway-trust-fund.html?_r=0



“‘As an agency, we are able to manage a short-term problem,’ said MnDOT spokesman Kevin Gutknecht.

‘It's difficult for the long term. We need something stable.’

Gutknecht said many projects in the state's 20-year highway improvement plan are tied to federal

dollars. Transit initiatives also would be affected.

MnDOT is slated to get $18 billion over the next 20 years for road projects, but a report put out late last

year by the Transportation Finance Advisory Committee said that the agency will need $30 billion ‘to

keep pace with Minnesota’s growing population and aging infrastructure.’”

- StarTribune 5/1/14 (http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/257537291.html)

Mississippi:

“Mississippi is waiting to see whether Congress will be able to cover a looming funding gap in the federal

Highway Trust Fund.”

“MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath has issued a statement on the effect of the Highway Trust

Fund insolvency to Mississippi’s transportation infrastructure.

‘The Congressional Budget Office has projected revenues in the Highway Trust Fund will not meet

current spending obligations as early as this month. MDOT’s highway and bridge project backlog will

continue to grow with the loss of these federal funds. In the event Congress does not add revenue to

the Highway Trust Fund, it will be necessary to pull all state-funded maintenance projects open for bid in

July. This is something our state can’t afford. We are hopeful the Highway Trust Fund will be repaired to

ensure MDOT may immediately continue with necessary transportation system preservation and

construction projects.’”

- KNOE.com 7/7/14 (http://www.knoe.com/story/25955556/mississippi-prepares-to-halt-road-

construction-over-funding-issue)

Missouri:




“Missouri, which received 47 percent of its highway and transit dollars from the federal government in

fiscal 2011, was among the earliest states to take action in anticipation of the projected Highway Trust

Fund shortfall. In January, Missouri's highways and transportation commission voted not to add any

projects this year to the state's five-year transportation improvement program. In a typical year, the

http://www.startribune.com/local/blogs/257537291.html

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state adds between 300 and 500 projects. The commission is now considering adding 25 projects, most

with significant safety components.

‘It's serious because typically transportation projects take a long time to develop, to be designed and

constructed,’ said Bob Brendel, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Transportation. ‘Instead of

being able to make strategic decisions, sometimes we're forced to make reactive decisions and that's

not the best way to build infrastructure that lasts for decades.’

It costs the state $485 million annually simply to maintain the current transportation infrastructure, said

Brendel. For fiscal year 2015, the state construction budget for transportation stands at $720 million,

down from $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2009. By fiscal year 2017, the state anticipates having only $325

million to work with. Meanwhile, aging infrastructure means maintenance costs continue to grow, even

as the public clamors for things like bicycle and pedestrian facilities in urban areas and four-lane divided

highways and road shoulders in rural areas.

‘Our ability to do new projects is almost eliminated,’ Brendel said. ‘We're going to be in virtually a

maintenance-only mode, and even that is short of what we need to maintain our system.’”


funds/12056037/)

“The Missouri Highway Commission says it’s being forced to halt all new projects because of a lack of

funding. Jessica Machetta reports.

MoDOT Director Dave Nichols says because of declining fuel tax revenues added to the rising costs for

materials, labor and employee benefits, the department will have to focus on maintenance and

preservation.

Nichols says Missouri’s budget for road and bridge construction was $1.3 billion just five years ago, is

nearly half that this year, and is expected to fall to a projected $325 million in 2017 if revenue streams

aren’t increased.”

“The commission reports the looming insolvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund — expected in the

fall — is a big reason, too.”

- MissouriNet 1/24/14 (http://www.missourinet.com/2014/01/24/highway-commission-suspends-all-

new-road-and-bridge-projects-amid-funding-shortfall/)

Montana:

“Unless Congress acts in the next few weeks, the federal Highway Trust Fund, which pays for all but 13

percent of Montana highway construction, will be running on fumes in July. The U.S. Department of



http://www.missourinet.com/2014/01/24/highway-commission-suspends-all-new-road-and-bridge-projects-amid-funding-shortfall/

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Transportation estimates the fund will drop to just $1 billion by August, a level at which payments to

states for highway and bridge construction will be postponed.”

“Major projects are being delayed for bid. Labor unions and highway contractors say about 1,120

Montana jobs could be lost. Lawmakers say there aren’t yet concrete solutions for keeping the fund

from going broke.

‘We have been warned by the Montana Department of Transportation that if Congress doesn’t get this

issue resolved by mid-summer, we could see a short-term disruption in the current federal fiscal year of

up to $40 million in projects taken off the table,’ said Cary Hegreberg, of the Montana Contractor’s

Association.”

“The trust fund isn’t the only transportation pothole jarring Congress. The federal Highway Bill expires

Sept. 30. If the latter bill stalls, states like Montana that spend very little of their own money on road

construction would be faced with much larger highway expenses.”

“U.S. Sen. John Walsh, D-Mont., is working on a solution to the Highway Trust Fund crisis, but won’t be

revealing the specifics yet, said Andrea Helling, Walsh’s chief of staff.”

“Helling said the Montana Department of Transportation has told Walsh the state can get through the

end of September without an extension of the Highway Trust Fund, but if the funding shortfall isn’t

addressed by the beginning of the next federal fiscal year on Oct. 1, there may be delays for 235

Montana projects valued at more than $1 billion. The job loss would be about 4,000.”

“There are roughly 13,000 Montana jobs tied to highway construction, said Mike Tooley, Montana

Department of Transportation director. This summer, the state is steering clear of awarding its largest

highway contracts that could get hung up with federal funding problems. This way, the construction

workers stay employed while Congress struggles to find a solution.

‘We’re going ahead cautiously, but we’re not stopping, either,’ Tooley said.

A $20 million road construction project on U.S. Highway 2 that DOT had hoped to put out for bid this

summer will wait until fall, Tooley said. He’s cautiously optimistic Congress will keep federal highway

funding on the road.”

- Billings Gazette 6/7/14 (http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/federal-

highway-funds-hit-rough-patch/article_5369ac7d-513d-5b8e-a5b7-19fbb7613d42.html)

New Hampshire:

“U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined New Hampshire officials in Windham where she pressed for

continued funding for the National Highway Trust Fund and support for infrastructure projects, such as

the I-93 expansion. Shaheen’s visit to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) I-93

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/federal-highway-funds-hit-rough-patch/article_5369ac7d-513d-5b8e-a5b7-19fbb7613d42.html

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/federal-highway-funds-hit-rough-patch/article_5369ac7d-513d-5b8e-a5b7-19fbb7613d42.html


field office and construction site coincided with the upcoming Fourth of July weekend, which is one of

the biggest travel weekends of the year. Based on current spending and revenue trends, the U.S.

Department of Transportation estimates that the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund will

encounter a shortfall before the end of fiscal year (FY) 2014. Depletion of the fund could result in the

loss of $55 million in federal transportation funds and more than 700 jobs in New Hampshire alone.

‘The summer travel and tourism season is officially underway and that provides an important reminder

of the critical relationship between our local infrastructure and our economy,’ Shaheen said. ‘The

Highway Trust Fund supports important projects, including the I-93 expansion, and hundreds of Granite

State jobs. A funding shortfall would result in project delays and job loss that we simply cannot afford.’”

- politicalnews.me 7/7/14 (http://politicalnews.me/?id=29221&keys=TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY-

ECONOMY-FUNDING)

“Sidewalk and streetscape upgrades, considered an integral part of the city's downtown rehabilitation

project, could now be delayed until next year.

City officials learned this week that its roughly $480,000 federal Transportation Enhancement grant has

been delayed due to uncertainty in Congress about the Federal Highway Trust Fund.

The city's streetscape project is one of about 25 projects statewide that could be ‘shelved’ until the issue

is resolved, N.H. Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Boynton said Friday. Although the

funding picture likely will be clearer in October, by then it would be too late to begin the city's sidewalk

project.

This scenario creates a fresh challenge for city officials, who expected the $8 million downtown utility

and paving upgrades to be finished in November. It's not certain what would happen to sidewalks torn

up during construction if the grant is delayed into next year.

‘This will interrupt the entire downtown project, in my opinion,’ Councilor David Witham said this week.

New Hampshire gets about $150 million a year in federal transportation dollars to pay for numerous

projects. Under normal circumstances, the federal government sends money for these multiyear

projects in batches, said Bill Watson, the DOT's administrator of planning and community assistance.

However, with the Highway Trust Fund running out of money and uncertainty around the federal

transportation budget process, the state has already committed its entire $150 million allocation to

multiyear projects that have begun.

‘If federal funding doesn't come through in the future, the state has no way of backing up those

contracts because there are no state dollars in the contracts,’ Boynton said. ‘If we don't back up those

projects with the federal dollars we have now, we run the risk of having to suspend work.’

http://politicalnews.me/?id=29221&keys=TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY-ECONOMY-FUNDING

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That decision ensures federally funded projects, already under way, will continue regardless of what

happens in Washington. It also means the state has no more money this year for other transportation

projects.”

“Somersworth's streetscape project includes new sidewalks along the High Street-Main Street-Market

Street corridor, landscaping upgrades, decorative lighting and other improvements. It's currently in the

final design stage.”

“If the grant money is held up through the 2014 construction season, the city would face tough choices.

[Public Works Director] Murray said the city would likely need to treat the gravel sidewalks to prevent a

safety and snow removal problems during the winter.

At the same time, she's concerned that waiting until next year to complete the sidewalk work could

damage the newly paved roads.”

- fosters.com 6/28/14

(http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140628/GJNEWS_01/140629395/-1/FOSNEWS)

“The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has advised that the funding levels for the Federal

Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will likely run out of money for transportation disbursements to states by July

or August 2014. FHWA may need to institute cash management measures which would involve delayed

or partial reimbursements to the states. The impact to The State of New Hampshire and the

Transportation Improvement program will result in general uncertainty and will have a significant

impact to funding the State Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan. Due to limited State Highway

Trust Fund revenues, the State of New Hampshire uses Turnpike Toll Credits to meet the match of the

federal program. As a result, there are limited State dollars to support the federal program and as a

consequence, the STIP becomes dependent on the availability of federal funds. Any loss of federal funds

could very well lead to suspension of work and delay of future State and local transportation projects.

As a result of the Congressional discussion on the HTF and MAP-21 reauthorization, the Department of

Transportation has employed a moderate risk management strategy in utilizing federal funds with a

strong commitment to funding current construction projects under contract. Revenue in the HTF is

approximately 70 percent of federally reimbursable construction program outlays. Due to the

uncertainty of federal funds in the HTF, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation sought the

full authorization of federal funds for current year construction cash needs on existing multi-year

construction projects to ensure funds are available to maintain the current federally funded

construction program. As a result, the State’s remaining allocation of 2014 federal fiscal year funds is

fully obligated and the remaining federally funded projects in the advertising schedule (about $25m) are

being delayed to 2015 federal fiscal year.

Taking proactive steps in anticipation of possible end of fiscal year redistribution of federal funds, the

Department has maintained several projects in the September advertising schedule for any anticipated

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140628/GJNEWS_01/140629395/-1/FOSNEWS


redistribution of federal funds. Typical redistribution to the State of NH has been in the amount of $5 to

$8 million per year over the past years. The timing of advertising of these projects is subject to

availability of redistribution funding and will change if this funding is unavailable. Should a long term

sustainable solution to the HTF issue not be reached by Congress in the coming months, project delays

in Federal Fiscal Year 2015 are anticipated to be more substantial than those occurring in 2014.”

- New Hampshire DOT Advertising Schedule 6/27/14

(http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/documents/JuneAdSchedule.pdf)

“In a state already struggling to cover the costs of maintaining its roads and bridges, the possibility that

federal money for such projects could run out this summer has N.H. Department of Transportation

officials nervous.

So nervous, they’re re-thinking how they’re going to fund all the scheduled projects in the coming

months, and whether some may just not get done.

The N.H. Department of Transportation is using money from the federal highway trust fund sooner than

planned because of the uncertainty, Bill Cass, director of project development for the state agency, said

Tuesday.

Agency officials have also concentrated those funds on construction projects already under contract, he

said.

‘As a result, our federal funds have essentially been committed, and the remaining federally funded

projects in the advertising schedule (about $25 million) are being delayed,’ he said.

The highway trust fund, which is funded by gas and diesel fuel taxes, reimburses states for

transportation infrastructure projects. New Hampshire relies heavily on the federal fund to cover repairs

and new construction of its roads and bridges.

The fund’s highway account is expected to drop below its critical funding threshold of $4 billion in July,

which is roughly the middle of the summer construction season. Its mass transit account is expected to

dip below its critical point of $1 billion in August.

This could mean delays in reimbursements to states for highway projects.

‘What that means for us is uncertain, but it would be a significant impact,’ Cass said.

Those effects could include suspending work, he said.”

- SentinelSource.com 6/4/14 (http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/n-h-could-feel-effects-of-

federal-highway-funds-drying/article_065940c7-fda9-5fe4-902e-09f09d08e313.html)

http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/documents/JuneAdSchedule.pdf

http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/n-h-could-feel-effects-of-federal-highway-funds-drying/article_065940c7-fda9-5fe4-902e-09f09d08e313.html

http://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/n-h-could-feel-effects-of-federal-highway-funds-drying/article_065940c7-fda9-5fe4-902e-09f09d08e313.html


New Jersey:

“The federal Highway Trust Fund runs out of money at the end of the month. It's been paid for by gas

taxes since 1993, but raising taxes is a tough political sell, and right now Congress can't agree on what to

do about it.

Meanwhile, Jersey City, NJ is in the middle of a construction boom.

Those two things may seem unrelated, but Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop says if the fund runs out of

money, it could put the kibosh on the growth.”

“Now, construction cranes tower above the city in almost every direction.

‘We're going to overtake Newark as the largest city in New Jersey, and I can comfortably say that the 20

largest buildings in the state will be in Jersey City in the next four years,’ Fulop says. ‘We're building 54

stories, 60 stories, 70 stories, another 55 story, I mean I could go on and on. And if you walk down here

you'll see the cranes, and activity, and people working … those are generally concentrated around mass

transportation.’

Building around mass transit has been a cornerstone for Jersey City. And a good portion of the money

that goes towards mass transit in the state comes from the Highway Trust Fund. In New Jersey, the

average person pays about $600 per year in those taxes.

Fulop says if that money were to dry up, then contractors, developers and others in the building industry

would lose faith in future funding and slow down – or stop – ongoing projects.

‘And once they stop, they’re hard to get back started,’ Fulop says.”

- Marketplace 7/11/14 (http://www.marketplace.org/topics/economy/us-highway-trust-fund-running-

low-cash)

New Mexico:

“New Mexico’s biggest construction project, the Paseo Del Norte, Interstate 25 overhaul could soon be

short of cash after a federal fund that’s chipping in money runs out of funds.

If Congress doesn’t come up with a way to fund the Highway Trust Fund the project on Paseo del Norte

and I-25 would lose out on millions and there are other projects that could be stalled altogether.

Construction of the massive Paseo/ I-25 Interchange project is about a quarter complete. Officials said

work is ramping up to prepare for the biggest chunk of construction which is the flyover from I-25 north

to Paseo del Norte westbound. With that said, there is no turning back now.

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However, according to New Mexico Department of Transportation spokesperson Melissa Dosher a

portion of that funding could be jeopardy.

‘We are concerned but we are prepared,’ Dosher said.”

“‘The DOT is funded, 75% funded, through federal funds,’ Dosher said.

Dosher said if Congress doesn’t act fast federally funded projects like the current expansion of Highway

491 from Gallup to Farmington could be halted.”

“Many are wondering what does this mean for the Paseo project. The federal government has agreed to

put in $5 million to get the $93 million project done.”

“The Department of Transportation said right now they’re using mainly city and state dollars to move

the project forward. But they said if Congress doesn’t come up with a solution the state will have to pick

up the feds’ tab.

‘I think with the state road fund we can use that money as a last case resort but as of right now we’re

pretty confident that congress is going to come through. They have in the past, when ever these

situations have risen,’ Dosher said.

If Congress authorizes federal dollars for the trust fund New Mexico will get reimbursed for money it

may have to use. Dosher said that also means projects, that may have been stalled, will start up again.”

- krqe.com 4/22/14 (http://krqe.com/2014/04/22/road-projects-in-jeopardy-when-federal-fund-runs-

dry/)

New York:

“Sen. Chuck Schumer warned Wednesday that federally-funded work on roads and bridges in the area

could come to a screeching halt after Aug. 1.

That's when the federal Highway Trust Fund, which provides $1.6 billion a year for New York projects

alone, is scheduled to fall below $4 billion total and the U.S. Department of Transportation ‘will have no

choice but to start delaying projects,’ Schumer said during his weekly telephone news conference.

Shutting down highway projects could put as many as 12,400 New Yorkers out of work, he added.

Schumer singled out improvements underway at Route 17's Exit 122 as one of 63 projects in the Hudson

Valley and 409 statewide that could be halted. The highway connects with Interstate 84 and

Middletown's East Main Street at that location.

County officials said federal money is a vital part of efforts to keep roads and bridges maintained.

http://krqe.com/2014/04/22/road-projects-in-jeopardy-when-federal-fund-runs-dry/

http://krqe.com/2014/04/22/road-projects-in-jeopardy-when-federal-fund-runs-dry/


‘That funding is critical’ to efforts to maximize available funding and get the most projects done, said

Deputy Ulster County Executive Bob Sudlow. ‘To pull out a piece of that funding would definitely hurt

us.’

Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Works Ed McAndrew said federal money is used primarily for

bridge work rather than road work in the county.

Schumer's office said rehabilitation of three scenic overlooks in the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge, in the

towns of Gardiner, Rochester and Wawarsing, could also be halted without the federal funding.

Replacement of the Route 17 overpass across Route 55X in Sullivan County, and rehabilitating the I-84

bridges across the Delaware and Neversink Rivers also are threatened by the loss of federal money.

Orange County Public Works Commissioner Charles Lee said the funding also helps in the repair and

replacement of county-owned roads and bridges.

‘Without this federal funding stream, the cost burden for local projects could significantly shift to our

taxpayers, something which Orange County officials do not support,’ Lee said.

Schumer said the state would have the option of picking up the tab, but that would be ‘a further burden

on taxpayers.’”

“Possible local projects affected

These local projects could be shut down or delayed if Congress is unable to keep the federal Highway

Trust Fund solvent:

Orange County

• Route 17 Exit 122 improvements, currently under construction, scheduled for completion in the fall.

• Interstate 84: Rehabilitation of bridges across the Delaware and Neversink rivers, currently under

construction and slated for completion in Sept. 2015.

Sullivan County

• Replacement of existing structure carrying Route 17 across Route 55X, Town of Liberty, currently

under construction and slated for substantial completion by the end of October.

Ulster County

• Rehabilitation of three scenic overlooks that are part of the Shawangunk Mountains scenic byway, in

the towns of Gardiner, Rochester and Wawarsing. Currently under construction and slated for

completion in June 2015.

Source: New York State Department of Transportation”


- Times Herald-Record 7/10/14

(http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140710/NEWS/407100323)

North Carolina:

“State transportation officials are anxiously eyeing Congress as the Highway Trust Fund quickly rolls

toward insolvency.

Without a deal in the next few weeks, the state may have to halt some 108 highway improvement

projects worth an estimated $1.4 billion, said N.C. Department of Transportation spokesman Mike

Charbonneau.

Locally, that includes the $18.4 million planned widening of South Kerr Avenue to four lanes between

Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and Randall Parkway.

It also includes a $7.15 million Interstate 40 renovation project from U.S. 117 to N.C. 53, according to a

DOT document.

‘As far as a contingency plan, if the federal funding stops, those projects will not be able to move

forward starting in September,’ Charbonneau said, referring to that list of projects in various planning

phases.

North Carolina receives nearly $1 billion annually in federal transportation funding, which accounts for

about half of the N.C. Department of Transportation's construction program, according to a DOT

spokesman.

The Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation also would lose all of its $15 million in funding,

and the Rail Division would have to delay dozens of safety projects if Congress does not reach a deal, he

said.”

“DOT estimates that if the projects are halted, the state could lose more than 20,000 jobs and ‘vital

transportation needs will go undelivered.’”

- Star News Online 7/7/14

(http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140707/ARTICLES/140709808?tc=ar)

“North Carolina’s top transportation official said Tuesday that the state could lose funding for dozens of

road construction projects if Congress can’t agree on a measure to keep the federal Highway Trust Fund

solvent for the rest of the year.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140710/NEWS/407100323

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20140707/ARTICLES/140709808?tc=ar


‘The potential that 28 percent of our budget is going to evaporate in August because the federal

government cannot figure it out is a big concern,’ state Transportation Secretary Tony Tata said. ‘It’s

critical, and I’m very concerned.’

The Federal Highway Trust Fund pays for road and bridge projects nationwide. The primary funding

source for the fund is a federal gasoline tax.”

“Failure to agree on a fix, Tata said, means funding will run out in August, putting 20,000 jobs and 108

transportation projects – including bridge replacements and resurfacing – at risk.

Hoping to head that off, Tata took project maps to every member of North Carolina’s Congressional

delegation.

‘Nobody wants to come home in August to bulldozers parked on the side of the road and 20,000

workers with pink slips,’ Tata said.

The Senate finance panel is slated to vote on the measure Thursday.

One project that wouldn’t be in jeopardy, Tata said, is the Fortify project – an 11.5-mile rebuilding

project of Interstates 40/440 in Raleigh. Construction is too far along on it.”

- WRAL.com 6/24/14 (http://www.wral.com/federal-funding-issue-could-put-nc-road-projects-jobs-in-

jeopardy/13761939/)

“North Carolina transportation improvement projects will stall if Congress fails to avert the expected

bankruptcy this summer for the national Highway Trust Fund, Gov. Pat McCrory told state business

leaders Wednesday.

‘The business community has got to step up and get Congress unparalyzed up there,’ McCrory said at a

daylong conference on transportation and the state economy. ‘This is coming very quickly, and it could

cost us a billion dollars here in North Carolina.’”

“A 2012 transportation spending authorization law called MAP-21 is set to expire at the end of

September, and the federal government is expected to run out of transportation funds before then.

Federal money accounts for about 28 percent of state transportation spending in North Carolina.

‘We’re going to have to stop writing checks in July or August this year if the federal government does

not reauthorize the transportation law,’ said state Transportation Secretary Tony Tata. He shared the

stage with McCrory at the conference sponsored by the N.C. Chamber, a statewide business lobby

group.”

“Nick Tennyson, Tata’s chief deputy secretary, worried that Congress might agree on just a stopgap

measure to continue transportation funding for another six months.

http://www.wral.com/federal-funding-issue-could-put-nc-road-projects-jobs-in-jeopardy/13761939/

http://www.wral.com/federal-funding-issue-could-put-nc-road-projects-jobs-in-jeopardy/13761939/


‘When we get a new act, we need to know that it is both going to be sustainable and will increase

funding,’ Tennyson told the group. “We’re going to need the Congress to hear from more than just DOTs

and road-builders. They need to hear from people who use highways and all the other modes of

transportation.’”

“McCrory and Tata said North Carolina will have to find new ways to pay for its transportation needs,

but they weren’t ready to suggest new taxes or other revenue sources. First, they plan to offer new

projections on how much money the state will need for long-term transportation improvements, as part

of a 25-year plan to be released by DOT later this year.

That cost figure is expected to be billions of dollars more than the state now can hope to collect from

current state and federal revenue streams.

‘We’re going to need to make that investment beyond what we currently do, and that is very clear,’ Tata

said. ‘We’ve got some issues that are going to require some money to get through.’”

- newsobserver.com 3/26/14 (http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/03/26/3735259/federal-

transportation-dollars.html)

Oklahoma:

“OKLAHOMA lawmakers have worked hard over the past several years to improve the state’s roads and

bridges. Those efforts could soon be set back by financial troubles in Washington, D.C.”

“Federal money makes up 55 percent of the funding for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s

extant eight-year road and bridge plan. Given that most of the federal money distributed to the states

comes from the Highway Trust Fund, its current condition is a real concern.

‘I’ve been here 34 years, and this is as dire as it’s been,’ says Mike Patterson, ODOT’s executive director.

The previous worst was in 2008, when a crunch saw the trust fund account fall to about $12 billion.

If no solution is found, Patterson plans in August to ask his commissioners to defer the awarding of

contracts from July, and to not award any new contracts — ‘not put anything else out on the street that

would cause us to spend money.’

‘The concern that we all have, everybody including the U.S. DOT, is stopping ongoing projects,’

Patterson said. ‘It is the most challenging thing we would ever encounter. It’s a situation of, where do

you stop a project?’

And once a project is stopped, there are headaches associated with getting it restarted. ‘That all costs

money — money that’s not part of the project,’ he said.”

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/03/26/3735259/federal-transportation-dollars.html

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/03/26/3735259/federal-transportation-dollars.html


“Patterson said Oklahoma hasn’t been affected as much as some other states. Even so, ‘We’re not going

to be able to award any more contracts,’ he said. ‘We’re going to have to use any state funds and any

cash balance on hand just to keep the contracts going.’”

- The Oklahoman 7/10/14 (http://newsok.com/congress-needs-to-find-permanent-fix-for-highway-trust-

fund/article/4987154/?page=1)

“While Oklahoma has made significant improvements to the state's roads and bridges in recent years,

continued strong investment on the local, state, and federal levels is vital in continuing that momentum

to grow the economy and keep citizens safe, according to a report published Thursday by transportation

nonprofit TRIP.”

“And while Oklahoma has been successful in combating some transportation issues throughout the

state, continued investment is critical moving forward, as there are hundreds of structurally deficient

bridges, thousands of miles of roadway, and many lives to save.

‘We are certainly excited about the progress made in the past decade, especially on addressing the

state's structurally deficient highway bridges thanks to a boost in state funding,’ said ODOT Chief of

Media and Public Relations Terri Angier. ‘However, we are anxious about declining or stagnant federal

funding curtailing that momentum and impacting ongoing and future transportation improvements.’”

- AASHTO Journal 6/27/14 (http://www.aashtojournal.org/Pages/062714TRIPOklahoma.aspx)

Oregon:

“The federal government will begin limiting payments to states for road and transit projects next month,

but Oregon Department of Transportation officials said the lack of cash will not have any immediate

impact on state operations, including the Highway 20 realignment.

The plan for limiting payments, announced Tuesday by Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, is

being driven by a declining balance in the federal Highway Trust Fund.”

“The upshot for Oregon, according to ODOT assistant director Travis Brouwer, is that the state likely will

receive ‘only a portion of the money the federal government owes, in effect forcing the state to float the

federal government a loan.’

Brouwer estimated that the shortfall could run to $40 million or more in some months, and that if the

funding standoff continues until November, the ‘loan’ could reach $110 million.

Brouwer said the federal funding being used to complete the $365 million Highway 20 realignment

project near Eddyville is ‘secure. ... However, it is possible that ODOT will not be reimbursed by the

federal government promptly and in full for the work being done on the project.’

http://newsok.com/congress-needs-to-find-permanent-fix-for-highway-trust-fund/article/4987154/?page=1

http://newsok.com/congress-needs-to-find-permanent-fix-for-highway-trust-fund/article/4987154/?page=1

http://www.aashtojournal.org/Pages/062714TRIPOklahoma.aspx


The Highway 20 project, which originally was budgeted at $153 million, is scheduled to be completed in

2016.

Even if congressional action solves the immediate crisis, Brouwer expressed concerns about what will

happen next year.

‘If Congress has not taken action on providing funding for all of 2015 by this fall, ODOT will have to start

adjusting our schedule for putting projects out to bid, slowing down projects for next construction

season to ensure that we are not committing to projects that the federal government will not actually

fund,’ he said.”

- Corvallis Gazette-Times 7/3/14 (http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/federal-

highway-fund-crisis-won-t-affect-state-operations-yet/article_df62c852-031e-11e4-aa51-

0019bb2963f4.html)

“Road crews are bracing for a 'highway fiscal cliff’ that could cost Oregon nearly $500 million, job losses

and bring new road projects to a screeching halt.

‘We are definitely holding our breath, we are waiting very anxiously,’ said Travis Brouwer, Assistant

Director of the Oregon Department of Transportation. ‘If federal funding goes away then we will see a

very substantial reduction in the amount of work that we can do for Oregon's roads.’

The Obama administration has warned the Highway Trust Fund will be insolvent by August.

In Oregon, that means $470 million in federal funds for highway programs would be eliminated in 2015.

Existing road projects will likely be completed but new road projects will be canceled or delayed.

ODOT estimates 4,700 jobs will be lost.”

- KGW.com 6/18/14 (http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Oregon-bracing-for-highway-fiscal-cliff-that-

could-cost-state-500M--263742141.html#)

“The Oregon Department of Transportation has decided to postpone new road construction projects for

at least a year pending more certainty about federal transportation funding.

The agency will delay updating its Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, which designates

funding and scheduling for capital projects on federal, state, city and county roads.

David Kim, an ODOT manager for the west metro area, on Monday, June 9, briefed the Washington

County Coordinating Committee, a group of mayors and other officials who meet every month to discuss

transportation issues.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/federal-highway-fund-crisis-won-t-affect-state-operations-yet/article_df62c852-031e-11e4-aa51-0019bb2963f4.html



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Kim presented the group with a letter from David Lohman, the chair of the Oregon Transportation

Commission. In it, Lohman explains that ODOT's State Highway Fund is largely being spent on debt

service and highway maintenance, so STIP construction projects rely almost exclusively on federal

funding. But the federal Highway Trust Fund faces an annual deficit of about $15 billion, and the federal

gas tax has not been raised since 1993.

‘If Congress doesn't act by the end of August to address the federal Highway Trust Fund deficit, on the

near term, that has the potential to delay our projects,’ Kim said. ‘On the longer term, we don't know

what our funding is going to look like.’”

“Washington County Commissioner Roy Rogers said the county would continue its road construction

projects, but will likely not receive funding for improvements related to the state transportation system.

‘Everything from Hall Boulevard in Tigard to TV Highway, U.S. 26, Oregon 217,’ Rogers said. ‘If there's no

funding, then we have no mechanism to do any enhancement.’

Washington County projects that have already been approved by ODOT but could be affected by this

decision include:

Southbound Oregon 217 split diamond interchange project at Southwest Allen Boulevard and

Southwest Denney Road to improve traffic flow and safety on the highway ($5.3 million

estimated cost).

I-5 improvement at the northbound and southbound Boones Ferry Road exits to help enhance

traffic flow and safety (combined cost estimated at $5.7 million).

Design engineering for the future widening of U.S. 26 between Southwest 185th Avenue and

Cornelius Pass Road ($2 million).

Oregon 47/Oregon 8 (TV Highway) intersection improvements for freight mobility and

bicycle/pedestrian projects in Forest Grove ($4.2 million estimated cost).

King City sidewalk infill along Oregon 99W ($1 million estimated cost).

Oregon 8 (TV Highway) corridor safety and access to transit ($1.6 million estimated cost).”

- OREGONLIVE The Oregonian 6/12/14

(http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2014/06/odot_postpones_road_improvemen

.html)

Rhode Island:

“The Great Island Bridge in Narragansett is 65 years old.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials say it needs to be replaced because of safety

concerns.

Officials say it will cost $8.5 million to fix.”

http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2014/06/odot_postpones_road_improvemen.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/washingtoncounty/index.ssf/2014/06/odot_postpones_road_improvemen.html


“The money won't be available however if the federal government doesn't pass legislation to fund the

Highway Trust Fund.”

“But there's no construction happening at the Great Island Bridge.

It's just one of 20 projects in Rhode Island put on hold due to federal budget funding.”

- turnto10.com 7/18/14 (http://www.turnto10.com/story/26054183/bridge-repairs-halted-with-lack-of-

federal-highway-funds)




“In Rhode Island, which relies on about $200 million a year in federal funds to plan, build and maintain

the state's transportation infrastructure, the transportation department has temporarily halted nearly

all new highway construction projects to ensure sufficient funds for projects that are already underway,

including the Providence Viaduct, which takes I-95 through the city.

But in the long term, the state will need to find some other source of transportation funding if the

federal money falls through.

About 60 percent of the state's roads are rated fair or worse, according to the transportation

department. Twenty percent of the state's bridges are in poor condition. Of the 15 bridges that become

deficient each year, only 10 can be repaired at current funding levels. Without any changes, 40 percent

of the state's bridges would be structurally deficient by 2024.

‘It cannot be overstated that [Highway Trust Fund] insolvency would be crippling for Rhode Island,’

Michael P. Lewis, director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation wrote to the U.S. Senate's

Committee on Environment and Public Works in March. Lewis added that the insolvency could put

smaller contractors out of business and place stress on the transportation corridor between New York

City and Boston.”


funds/12056037/)

“With Rhode Island’s roads and bridges badly in need of repair, political and union leaders gathered

Friday to talk about how federal financing of about $200 million annually for state repair projects could

come to a halt in October if Congress does not reauthorize federal transportation spending.

That federal financing of about $283 billion has won support from the Senate Environment and Public

Works Committee, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse told reporters gathered Friday inside the Veterans

Memorial Auditorium building. But the federal highway bill must still be financed by the Senate Finance

http://www.turnto10.com/story/26054183/bridge-repairs-halted-with-lack-of-federal-highway-funds

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Committee and pass the full Senate and the House before that money would be available to states, said

Whitehouse, a member of the committee that has already supported the bill.

‘If we don’t [pass it], funding runs out in October, and because Rhode Island has borrowed so much

money in the past to fund its highway program and has so much of its budget eaten up by interest, we

are going to be one of the first states to have to shut down highway construction if this bill doesn’t

pass,’ Whitehouse said. ‘So it’s very important to Rhode Island to make sure that the highway bill passes

— and passes on time.’”

“Only new projects, some of which the state Department of Transportation has already put out to bid,

would be halted, Whitehouse said.

Chief engineer Kazem Farhoumand for the state Department of Transportation said most projects that

would be affected are not large. One would be the Great Island bridge in Narragansett, which is vital

because it’s the only way to get on and off that island.”

“Furthermore, Whitehouse said his office has crafted a provision in the federal highway bill that would

provide $400 million a year of competitive grant dollars available to states that need financial help on

special projects of national and regional significance.

Again, from his viewpoint on an upper floor overlooking Route 95, Whitehouse pointed out another

major Rhode Island road improvement need that could use such federal help — the Route 6/Route 10

connector in Olneyville.

‘And that is decrepit, ancient highway infrastructure,’ Whitehouse said. ‘It is falling down around us right

now, and there simply isn’t the money to pay for getting it rebuilt.’

Fixing it is a $400-million to $500-million project, he said, citing Farhoumand, the DOT engineer. If the

highway bill with that provision passes, though, Rhode Island could apply for a grant and get as much as

$80 million a year over six years for such significant projects, Whitehouse said.”

- Providence Journal 5/31/14 (http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140531-

highway-repairs-in-rhode-island-could-be-threatened-by-a-delay-in-federal-budget-approval.ece)

“Unless Congress acts, the Highway Trust Fund will start running out of money in July for the first time in

its 58-year history, with no real precedent for what happens next.”

“‘We have the potential of missing an entire construction season,’ said Michael Lewis, director of the

Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

His state’s only funding program for roads and bridges is one that matches the federal program, which

typically pays for 80 percent of a project’s cost. If the federal money stops flowing, Lewis said, ‘We’ve

got nothing.’”

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140531-highway-repairs-in-rhode-island-could-be-threatened-by-a-delay-in-federal-budget-approval.ece

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- Politico 3/26/14 (http://blockedbythebridge.com/politico-highway-fund-stares-into-the-abyss/)

“The state may be unable to start any new highway or bridge projects beginning a year from now

because the source of the money, a federal trust fund financed with the federal gasoline tax, is going

broke, according to state Transportation Director Michael P. Lewis and other officials.

The possible collapse of the national Highway Trust Fund, Lewis says, means that states could no longer

commit funds to new highway and bridge projects for the federal fiscal year beginning in October 2015.”

- Providence Journal 10/27/13 (http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20131027-

r.i.-road-bridge-work-jeopardized-as-federal-funds-dry-up.ece)

South Dakota:

“The federal government’s highway trust fund will run out of highway money this summer, putting road

and bridge projects into financial uncertainty, South Dakota Transportation Secretary Darin Bergquist

said Thursday.

He told members of the state Transportation Commission that the fund could be empty as early as July

unless Congress provides an injection of general funds.”

“Bergquist said there is a $100 billion gap between expected revenue and current programs.

‘That will be the real starting point to getting anything done,’ he said.”

“Earlier this week, Gov. Dennis Daugaard said he is willing to consider increasing South Dakota’s motor-

fuel taxes. He previously was opposed to tax increases.”

“For the 2015 state fiscal year that begins July 1, 2014, the state Department of Transportation is

budgeted to receive $380.7 million of federal funding, including $347 million for construction.

Another $220.2 million is budgeted to come from South Dakota sources such as motor-fuel taxes for

construction and DOT general operations.”

- Watertown Public Opinion 5/23/14 (http://www.thepublicopinion.com/news/local_news/federal-

highway-aid-uncertain-as-legislators-begin-study/article_7f211458-e27b-11e3-9e2e-

0019bb2963f4.html?mode=print)

“South Dakota's highways are in good shape and there's no need to boost state highway taxes,

Transportation Secretary Darin Bergquist said Wednesday.

http://blockedbythebridge.com/politico-highway-fund-stares-into-the-abyss/

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http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Darin+Bergquist%22


However, the situation could change if Congress cuts the federal funding that helps states maintain and

construct roads and bridges, Bergquist told state lawmakers.”

"‘There is not a need today for additional state revenues,’ Bergquist said after the legislative hearing.

‘Obviously what happens at the federal level has the potential to skew that substantially.’

Bergquist told state lawmakers he hopes Congress provides highway funding for the rest of the federal

fiscal year as part of an overall budget bill expected to be approved in the next few days. Federal taxes

are providing about $35 billion a year to the federal highway trust fund, but Congress has been adding

other money to spend about $50 billion a year on highways.

One proposal would cut federal highway spending to $35 billion a year to match revenue receipts, which

could cost South Dakota $80 million to $90 million a year, Bergquist said. That would have a devastating

impact on South Dakota's ability to maintain roads and bridges, he said.”

- Capital Journal 1/15/14 (http://www.capjournal.com/news/official-says-no-need-to-boost-sd-highway-

taxes/article_103990ea-7e69-11e3-ab24-0019bb2963f4.html)

Tennessee:

“The Cleveland Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization heard from the Tennessee Department

of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer during a meeting Wednesday.

‘As of Sept. 30, there is no transportation bill and the money will run out even before that,’ Schroer said.

The impact of this would mostly be felt next year. Schroer said if the federal government does not put

additional money into the Highway Trust Fund, revenues received by the state would be decreased by

about 30 percent. He said after Aug. 1 the only money that will be distributed to the state departments

of transportation will be a division of what is taken into the trust fund.

‘Twice a month they are going to figure out how much money they get and we are going to receive 2.14

percent,’ Schroer said. ‘Starting Aug. 1, when we submit a bill we will only get 70 percent back.’

In some sates, this will mean projects that receive federal funding cannot be completed.

‘The Congress has been funding transportation from the general fund for the last five years … about $55

billion over the last five years that they have kicked in,’ Schroer said. ‘Right now, we get about $32

billion into the Federal Highway Trust Fund and we have been spending $44 to $45 billion. We have

been obligating that much.’

This money comes to the local government mostly in the form of grants or TDOT joint projects.

Schroer said if the federal government had been running the trust fund only on revenues it received,

Congress would not be faced with this issue now. However, to switch to that plan of action now would

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mean no funding would be going to new projects next year because it would go to fund projects from

this year that were committed to, but had not received funding.”

- Cleveland Daily Banner 7/10/14 (http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/25421779/article-

Highway-Trust-Fund-going-broke--TDOT-s-John-Schroer-explains-impact-on-

Tennessee?instance=latest_articles)

“Financial troubles on Capitol Hill could mean missing out on local road improvements. At risk is the next

step of the massive Highway 27 project around downtown Chattanooga. It's a situation that has our

leaders looking for solutions.

The first phase of the Highway 27 project on the north side of the Olgiati Bridge is expected to be

complete by February, but the second part that would straighten out 27's curves around downtown

could be in trouble. That's because the Federal Highway Trust Fund is going broke.

‘The federal government has over-committed dollars from what they're receiving so because of that the

federal trust fund will become insolvent in the next 30-40 days,’ TDOT Transportation Commissioner

John Schroer said.

TDOT Commissioner John Schroer is checking in on the progress of local road projects currently

underway, like the new US-41 bridge over Nickajack and expanded Highway 27 in North Chattanooga. As

TDOT finishes these lengthy projects, he worries the next projects may not happen. Possibly, the rest of

the Highway 27 project from the Olgiati Bridge to I-24.

‘We're in a pretty precarious situation for the next 90-120 days and we're just trying to muddle our way

through it,’ Schroer said.

If the fund, which pays for more than half of the country's transportation projects, isn't somehow

replenished, TDOT's budget could be cut in half.”

- WRCBtv.com 6/25/14 (http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/25871799/local-impact-of-federal-road-money-

drying-up)

“Tennessee's transportation chief pledged Tuesday that the $22.5 million widening of Apison Pike --

seen as key for McKee Foods and easing Collegedale area traffic tie-ups -- will go forward despite federal

funding worries.

But, plans to extend the highway to East Brainerd Road could run into problems unless the shortfall in

the federal Highway Trust Fund is cleared up, said state Department of Transportation Commissioner

John Schroer.

That's not the only huge Hamilton County project that could be affected.

http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/25421779/article-Highway-Trust-Fund-going-broke--TDOT-s-John-Schroer-explains-impact-on-Tennessee?instance=latest_articles



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The planned improvements to U.S. 27 in downtown Chattanooga from Olgiati Bridge to Interstate 24

could fall victim to that same shortfall, officials said.

The widening of U.S. 27 between the bridge and Signal Mountain Road got under way in late 2011, with

completion currently scheduled for February 2015. Meanwhile, the work has affected thousands of

commuters daily and resulted in the building of 34 retaining walls and six bridges.

The original cost estimate was $80 million. Costs currently stand at $102 million.”

“Schroer said the state is ‘moving forward as if we've got the money but planning as if we don't. If

funding is interrupted or non-existent, it does create a huge issue.’

‘In about 30 days the trust fund will be broke,’ Schroer said as he readied to board a vehicle to see the

Apison Pike expansion route and a planned connector between Highway 58 and I-75 near the

Volkswagen plant. ‘It has huge consequences across the country.’”

“He told a small delegation from McKee Foods that he'd like to go right into extending Apison Pike to

East Brainerd Road, a project earlier estimated at about $42 million. But, Schroer said that's one of a

number of state projects in jeopardy due to the trust fund shortage.”

“The TDOT commissioner said the state is in better shape than some others because it doesn't have any

transportation debt.

Still, he said, it's ‘critical to have consistent long-term funding when building road projects.’”

- timesfreepress.com 6/25/14 (http://timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jun/25/apison-pike-widening-

gets-go-ahead-or-apison-pike/?breakingnews)

“Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John

Schroer today released the three-year transportation program, featuring approximately $1.5 billion in

infrastructure investments for 59 individual project phases in 41 counties, as well as 14 statewide

programs.

Due to the uncertainty of the future of the Federal Highway Trust Fund, TDOT has taken a conservative

approach to this building program. The program does not feature early engineering work on any new

projects. TDOT is continuing its “pay-as-you-go” philosophy and remains one of only four states in the

nation to carry no debt for any transportation initiatives.

‘Despite the funding challenges facing transportation agencies, this program represents TDOT’s

commitment to building and maintaining one of the best transportation systems in the nation,’ Haslam

said.”

“‘We are at a critical point in federal transportation funding and without action, there will be major

impacts to TDOT programs,’ Schroer said. ‘We would be forced to develop an alternate program that

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jun/25/apison-pike-widening-gets-go-ahead-or-apison-pike/?breakingnews

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jun/25/apison-pike-widening-gets-go-ahead-or-apison-pike/?breakingnews


reflects the loss of federal dollars, and focuses exclusively on the maintenance of our existing pavement

and bridges rather than new projects.’”

- TriCities.com 4/3/14 (http://www.tricities.com/news/local/article_c15ec91a-bb56-11e3-87cc-

001a4bcf6878.html)

Vermont:

“You don’t have to look too hard underneath the Interstate 89 overpass here in Waterbury to see signs

of wear and tear. Exposed rebar and rusty steel beams betray the structure’s deteriorating condition.

And a bright orange sign underneath the overpass warns pedestrians to watch out for falling concrete.

Rich Tetreault, chief engineer at the Vermont Agency of Transportation, says the overpass is far from a

lost cause.

‘If we replace the steel and decks here we can save much of the substructure,’ Tetreault says. ‘If we wait

any longer, than we’re into potentially a full blown bridge replacement, which is a lot more costly.’

But the lion’s share of the money used for interstate upkeep in Vermont comes from a federal pot that’s

scheduled to run out of money at the end of the month. And despite the looming deadline, federal

lawmakers remain split over how to replenish the Federal Highway Trust Fund. ‘This is a serious

situation right now that we’re facing, and it really is Exhibit A, regrettably, of congressional dysfunction,’

Rep. Peter Welch said Monday.”

“Difficult as it may be for struggling residents to absorb yet another increase in the cost of gasoline –

Vermont lawmakers approved an increase in the state gas tax last year – Welch says postponing needed

infrastructure investments would be far more damaging. Vermont stands to lose out on as much as $100

million in federal funding Congress fails to act.

That sum represents nearly 20 percent of the state’s entire annual transportation budget, and would,

according Vermont Secretary of Transportation Brian Searles, postpone or cancel up to 38 road, bridge

and rail projects this summer and fall.

‘And we need to get some money into the fund well before the August recess so we can continue with

what is the busiest construction season we’ve ever had,’ Searles says.”

“A deal for short-term funding, whatever the revenue source, would solve Vermont’s immediate funding

problems. But Welch and Searles say a longer-term fix would provide state highway officials with the

financial stability needed to optimize construction planning.”

- VPR 7/14/14 (http://digital.vpr.net/post/welch-favors-gas-tax-increase-road-and-bridge-repairs-0)

http://www.tricities.com/news/local/article_c15ec91a-bb56-11e3-87cc-001a4bcf6878.html

http://www.tricities.com/news/local/article_c15ec91a-bb56-11e3-87cc-001a4bcf6878.html

http://digital.vpr.net/post/welch-favors-gas-tax-increase-road-and-bridge-repairs-0


“Vermont’s Agency of Transportation is preparing to delay 38 bridge, rail and road projects that it had

expected to put out to bid on Aug 1 — which could gouge as much as $100 million from the state’s

economy and shrink construction employment during the final third of this year.

Postponing the projects may be necessary because the federal Highway Trust Fund — source of part of

the funding for this work — is expected to become insolvent in early August. That would force federal

officials to curtail reimbursements to states.”

‘I am so frustrated that our record construction season might end prematurely because of inaction by

Congress,’ Vermont Transportation Secretary Brian Searles said. ‘The 38 projects involved are important,

not just to travelers, but to the thousands of people who make their living in construction.’

The project list includes work on 20 bridges and 12 rail locations, mostly crossings, Searles said.

Searles received a letter this week from U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony R. Foxx in which he

explained a new payment plan the Federal Highway Administration would implement in August because

of the ‘increasingly urgent state of the Highway Trust Fund.’

Searles predicts the revised payment plan could trim federal reimbursements to Vermont by 30-to-50

percent. The state will receive less money — at least temporarily — and payments will arrive less often.

The state has been able to submit bills daily so it could maintain a continual stream of federal payments

to tap to pay contractors at all the construction sites. In August, the state will only be able to submit bills

twice a month.

Delaying 38 projects is only part of the state’s strategy to reduce the expenditures eligible for federal

reimbursement. State Treasurer Beth Pearce and the Shumlin administration have an agreement to

ensure the Agency of Transportation will have cash to cover expenses for projects already underway for

which federal reimbursement could be delayed. The treasurer said the state can afford to cover up to

$15 million in unreimbursed federal expenses.

‘We are going to be paying our bills in their entirety until we reach $15 million in receivables,’ Searles

said.

If Congress fails to fix the funding problem quickly and Vermont hits its $15 million cap, Searles said he

and his staff would have to consider halting projects.

‘If they don’t act, it gets really serious,’ he said.”

- Burlington Free Press 7/3/14

(http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/money-woes-put-vermont-road-

projects-risk/12180357/?utm_medium=%5B%27twitter%27%5D&utm_source=%5B%27dlvr.it%27%5D)

“Vermont Transportation Secretary Brian Searles said the trust fund is the major source of money for

the state’s projects and programs.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/money-woes-put-vermont-road-projects-risk/12180357/?utm_medium=%5B%27twitter%27%5D&utm_source=%5B%27dlvr.it%27%5D

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/2014/07/03/money-woes-put-vermont-road-projects-risk/12180357/?utm_medium=%5B%27twitter%27%5D&utm_source=%5B%27dlvr.it%27%5D


‘Without money in the fund, the (federal) money will not flow to states and we won’t be able to obligate

coming construction projects,’ Searles said.

Sue Minter, deputy secretary of transportation, said the agency is unable to commit to projects in the

2015 fiscal year and will soon have to decide whether to put projects out to bid for the coming summer

construction season.

‘For us, a risk starts to build in spring,’ she said. ‘We’re looking at May saying, Well, if we don’t know

what the future is, we may have to delay. That’s what we’re trying to avoid.’

If Congress opts not to raise the gas tax, Searles said, it could decide to transfer money from elsewhere

to refill the trust fund. Congress has done that to the tune of about $40 billion in recent years to keep

the trust fund afloat, he said.

‘Short of that, we’ll have to delay the advertisement of some projects this spring in anticipation of

running out of money at the end of the federal fiscal year,’ he said.”

- Rutland Herald 1/27/14 (http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140127/THISJUSTIN/701279983)

Virginia:

“Time is running short. The House is 15 days away from its five-week summer recess. If Congress is not

able to reach an agreement before then, federal highway funding will be cut by 28 percent on Aug. 1,

about the time that construction season starts in most states.

Aubrey L. Layne Jr., the state transportation secretary in Virginia, said the state’s cash reserves would

finance projects for only about 90 days if the Highway Trust Fund were to dry up.

‘But in about 30 to 45 days, we should have to start delaying some projects,’ Mr. Layne said. Virginia

gets about $1 billion a year from the federal government for transportation projects.”

“Many state transportation officials said that even a short-term disruption in financing would have an

impact on roadwork.

Beyond the loss of jobs and the cost of restarting work after a delay, officials said vendors’ contracts

may force states to pay millions of dollars if work is stopped.

‘There are severe penalties that are built into the agreements,’ Mr. Layne said. ‘Vendors may have

bought materials like concrete that they haven’t used, and we would be on the hook for that.’”

- The New York Times 7/8/14 (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/09/us/house-committee-takes-step-

toward-renewing-highway-trust-fund.html?_r=0)

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140127/THISJUSTIN/701279983






height of the construction season.”

“The standard procedure is for states to lay out the cash for transportation projects and then bill

Washington for its share.

Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey L. Layne Jr. said the commonwealth could keep construction

workers on the job for about 90 days, provided there is the promise of eventual reimbursement.

‘Maybe nothing goes on in Washington in August, but in the commonwealth and elsewhere, that’s

prime time for construction projects and maintenance,’ Layne said. ‘If we don’t see substantial

movement [by Congress] in the next 60 days, we’ll start thinking about curtailing things.’”




“A year after enacting a transportation law meant to provide stable funding for construction and

maintenance, the state may soon lose more than half of its transportation construction funds, and

Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne is warning that the state may face a serious funding shortfall.”

“Layne said Virginia receives about $1.2 billion each year from the [federal Highway Trust Fund]. That

covers about 57 percent of the state's construction budget. ‘That's a big cliff,’ Layne said. ‘We've already

obligated some projects with the anticipation of getting federal dollars.

‘I've said at every six-year plan hearing that there will be significant reductions to this plan if we don't

get the federal revenues equal to what we have received in previous years.’”

“Hampton Roads' share of that money is about $280 million, said Transportation Planning Organization

Director Dwight Farmer. The money is allocated to 125 projects in the current 2015-2018 plan, ranging

from road widening to new road construction to replacing bridges to bike trails and transit stop

upgrades.”

“Hampton spokeswoman Robin McCormick said several projects have been approved for federal

funding, including intersection improvements on Pembroke Avenue, Fox Hill Road and Woodland

Avenue, and a widening project on Saunders Road.

Other key projects include widening Wythe Creek Road and improving Route 199.

‘It's pages and pages of projects,’ Farmer said. ‘I'm not saying they're all going to die, but they are at

risk.’"




“Layne said the worst-case scenario for the trust fund is the loss of the congressional funding and no

reauthorization or revision of revenues. That would reduce the fund in fiscal year 2015 by $15 billion in

funds already committed to the states, leaving only the revenue from fuel taxes. Virginia's share of the

remaining revenues would be less than $800,000 a year.

‘We would have to adjust,’ he said. ‘Obviously things that are currently under construction, we would

have to prioritize and fund those things going through. We would try not to stop any projects currently

underway.’”

- Daily Press 5/4/14 (http://articles.dailypress.com/2014-05-04/news/dp-nws-federal-transportation-

fund-cliff-20140502_1_transportation-projects-trust-fund-transit-projects)

West Virginia:

“West Virginia's federal aid funding for highway construction could face delays if a bill to replenish the

Highway Trust Fund doesn't make it through Congress before the deadline as lawmakers in Washington

struggle to reach any agreement. As a result, current levels of funding could run out next month and

that could affect some 112,000 construction projects across the country.

More importantly, about 700,000 jobs nationwide would also be affected if Congress doesn't act to

reauthorize federal transportation funds. West Virginia, just like the other states, receives

reimbursements from the government for federal highway projects.

Brent Walker, a spokesman for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, said last week these

delays could ‘put our cash flow in a critical state.’ He said the turnaround on these reimbursements is

‘critical’ to the state's highway construction work.

‘Our federal aid funding is about $425 million a year,’ Walker said. ‘That's a significant portion of our

program. If that were to happen, we would have to halt all of our active construction contracts. This

would be until a long-term solution would be put in place.’”

“This isn't the first time Congress has been slow to act on highway funding. Members passed nine short-

term extensions between 2009 and 2012 before approving a two-year measure that expires this year.

According to Walker, state departments of transportation are accustomed to dealing with this kind of

uncertainty but this time the threat is larger because the money could disappear soon.”

- The Herald-Dispatch 7/13/14 (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/x720300612/Tom-Miller-

Officials-worry-about-loss-or-cut-in-highway-funding)

“With just three weeks to go before the Federal Highway Trust Fund could be cut by 28 percent, West

Virginia’s Secretary of Transportation remains cautiously optimistic that a much-divided Congress will

http://articles.dailypress.com/2014-05-04/news/dp-nws-federal-transportation-fund-cliff-20140502_1_transportation-projects-trust-fund-transit-projects

http://articles.dailypress.com/2014-05-04/news/dp-nws-federal-transportation-fund-cliff-20140502_1_transportation-projects-trust-fund-transit-projects

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/x720300612/Tom-Miller-Officials-worry-about-loss-or-cut-in-highway-funding

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/x720300612/Tom-Miller-Officials-worry-about-loss-or-cut-in-highway-funding


work out its differences in time for states to continue critical summertime road construction and

maintenance.

Paul Mattox said after a Parkways Authority meeting Thursday that the state has 203 projects that use

federal funds. If Congress fails to act, Mattox said West Virginia has two options: asking contractors to

work temporarily at a reduced rate or shutting down the projects.

He said that once Congress decides to act, the contractors would be made whole for their work, or could

begin working again.

‘We’re optimistic. Still, we have a plan, just in case,’ Mattox said.”

- The Register-Herald 7/11/14 (http://www.register-herald.com/latestnews/x611409584/W-Va-

Parkways-Authority-Secretary-cautiously-optimistic-about-federal-highway-funds)

“All road construction projects around the state could come to a halt in August if Congress allows the

federal Highway Trust Fund to run out of money, state Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox told

legislators Monday.

‘We’d have to stop all construction activity around the state,’ Mattox told the legislative interim

Infrastructure Committee. ‘If federal funds would cease, we would run out of cash very quickly.’

At issue is whether Congress will pass a transportation funding bill before the Highway Trust Fund,

which provides federal matching funds to the states, is exhausted.”

“Mattox told legislators he anticipates that Congress will resolve the impasse either before or shortly

after the Highway Trust Fund is exhausted.

‘We’ve been down this road before,’ he said. ‘It’s not the first time Congress faced a deadline on

highway funding.’”

“Also Monday, Mattox said oil and gas drilling companies have voluntarily contributed about $11 million

a year over the past three years to upgrade roads in the Northern Panhandle and north-central West

Virginia damaged by heavy drilling equipment.”

“‘Industry is participating in helping the Department of Highways,” Mattox said. “We just need more

help.’”

- The Charleston Gazette 5/19/14

(http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140519/GZ01/140519255/1419)

http://www.register-herald.com/latestnews/x611409584/W-Va-Parkways-Authority-Secretary-cautiously-optimistic-about-federal-highway-funds

http://www.register-herald.com/latestnews/x611409584/W-Va-Parkways-Authority-Secretary-cautiously-optimistic-about-federal-highway-funds

http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140519/GZ01/140519255/1419


Wisconsin:

“A deadline for our center-lines, if congress doesn't pass an extension to the National Highway Trust

Fund the 50 billion dollar fund could be out of money by the end of next month.

No one likes bumpy roads but without the expected 1.8 million dollars in federal funding repaving of

Highway II will have to wait.

‘The problem is if one slides it can affect the other projects,’ said Eau Claire County Highway

Commissioner Marcus Evans. ‘It can have a cascading effect and it may seem like a small ripple but in a

local program it can create a much larger ripple.’

The same goes for Highway AA.

‘If we delay it another year the level for maintain those roads is going to be that much higher,’ said

Evans.”

“It’s the not knowing what will happen that puts local projects in limbo.

‘It makes it difficult to plan for future projects when knowing there's uncertainty with federal funding,’

said Evans.”

- WQOW 7/18/14 (http://www.wqow.com/story/26057570/2014/07/18/local-projects-could-stall-if-

highway-funding-not-addressed)

“The possible insolvency of the federal Highway Trust Fund has the attention of the Wisconsin

Department of Transportation.

DOT officials say state projects, such as the Highway 20 interchange reconstruction in Racine County,

will not be immediately affected but could be at risk in the long term if Congress does not reach a deal

to keep highway and transit aid flowing to states.

Federal officials have warned that by the first week in August, the fund will no longer have enough

money to cover promised aid to states.

The Wisconsin DOT expects to keep projects on track at least through the end of September,

spokeswoman Peg Schmitt said.

‘Certainly if issues aren’t dealt with ... in the longer term, there would definitely be impacts related to

keeping projects on schedule,’ Schmitt said.

The DOT hasn’t yet pinpointed which projects could be at risk of delays, she said. In Racine County, the

state is in the midst of a two-year project to reconstruct the Highway 20 interchange and is rebuilding

the Highway C bridge over Interstate 94.

http://www.wqow.com/story/26057570/2014/07/18/local-projects-could-stall-if-highway-funding-not-addressed

http://www.wqow.com/story/26057570/2014/07/18/local-projects-could-stall-if-highway-funding-not-addressed


In the next several years, the DOT plans to reconstruct other interchanges in Racine County as part of

the Interstate 94 north-south freeway project stretching from General Mitchell International Airport to

the Illinois state line.

The state gets about $1.68 billion in federal funding, which accounts for about 23.7 percent of DOT

revenue, Schmitt said.”

- The Journal Times 7/12/14 (http://journaltimes.com/news/local/highways-face-funding-

crunch/article_bcd2cbad-cefa-53ea-80ef-8d3dfe59c7a8.html)

Wyoming:

“WYDOT has identified about $134.5 million worth of projects in Laramie County that it plans to finish

between now and 2020. This includes 13 projects, totaling $22.1 million, that are planned for this spring

or summer.

But WYDOT district engineer Pat Persson said the vast majority of these projects focuses on

maintenance and preservation instead of major reconstruction, new roads or widening lanes.

That is because WYDOT estimates it needs $64 million more a year just to be able to maintain the roads

in their current state.

‘Because of the available dollars and because of inflation, that kind of changed our direction in our

improvement program from one where we are building new roads and doing reconstruction to

preservation,’ Persson said.

‘So we are dedicating roughly two-thirds of our dollars to preserving what we have already. We are

trying to take our money and take care of what we have.’

Persson added that it is hard to plan several years in advance because of questions surround the

agency's federal funding.

The federal government contributes $235 million, or about two-thirds, of the state's annual $354 million

highway construction and maintenance budget.

But the current two-year federal highway bill expires in October.

Congress will have to approve a new bill before that and find a new way to fund it since the federal

Highway Trust Fund is running out of money.

This has led WYDOT to budget conservatively in its highway plan.

Persson said a few major projects do remain on the books in the long-range plans for the state. But a

more common project is overlay and milling.

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/highways-face-funding-crunch/article_bcd2cbad-cefa-53ea-80ef-8d3dfe59c7a8.html

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/highways-face-funding-crunch/article_bcd2cbad-cefa-53ea-80ef-8d3dfe59c7a8.html


That involves removing a thin layer of old asphalt and applying a new one. This is a temporary fix when

compared to a full asphalt reconstruction project, but it is far cheaper.

Persson added this does not widen or straighten the roadways.”

- Wyoming Tribune Eagle 5/21/14

(http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2014/05/22/news/19local_05-22-14.txt#.U3-Dg_ldXTo)

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2014/05/22/news/19local_05-22-14.txt#.U3-Dg_ldXTo