Arizona Department of Transportation officials say economic benefits and quality of life in Arizona are intrinsically linked to transportation improvements and transportation infrastructure expansion. But, they say, Arizona is falling behind in maintaining and expanding its transportation routes.
“We are being hurt financially because we haven’t kept up,” said ADOT Deputy Director for Policy Floyd Roehrich during a community meeting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Roehrich’s presentation was part of a forum organized by Arizona Town Hall and Arizona Deliberates executives. Roehrich and other speakers shared findings and recommendations from a three-day meeting in April when the Arizona Town Hall focused on Arizona’s transportation issues.
Roehrich said Arizonans need to think of a “…total transportation system – roads, rails and air. The economic benefits are tremendous when a good system exists. But our legislature is simply not funding what it takes to expand, let alone maintain what we’ve got.”
Mike Ellegood, a retired engineer who spent most his career in transportation, agreed fully with Roehrich. He said rural areas suffer the most. “We’re dependent on ADOT as our partner in rural Arizona, but ADOT doesn’t have the resources.”
Ellegood suggests the gas tax should be increase to create revenue, pointing out that Arizona has raised this tax for 22 years. “It remains at 18 cents, and that’s just not enough.” He said the average state gas tax is 20.77 cents.
For Quad Cities communities to be successful in improving transportation systems, he said, “…we must have complete and full cooperation among private, public and all levels of governmental organizations to meet the challenges we face.”
Yavapai County Supervisor Tom Thurman, who is chair of the State Rural Transportation Advocacy Council, urges voters to take action. “The public simply has to tell legislators to quit sweeping funds that rightfully should go to ADOT. We’ll be a half a trillion [dollars] short over the next few years.”
“We’ve been talking about needing more money for transportation for years,” said Chino Valley Town Engineer and Public Works Director Ron Grittman. “We need major changes at the legislature.”
Other attendees said that more cooperation with the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization (CYMPO) would benefit the Quad Cities area. Career Services Director for Goodwill of Central Arizona Dee Skipton says CYMPO Transportation Planner Vincent Gallegos says they are working to create a cooperative transportation plan that will serve present and future needs of the Central Yavapai region, including options for those who do not drive.
In discussions coordinated by Lori Poloni Staudinger and Blaise Caudill from Arizona Deliberates, the group proposed the following recommendations:
• The Arizona gas tax should be increased. Arizona also should consider implementing new or revised user fees and possibly tolls.
• Arizona has not addressed the need for intermodal transportation that allows containers to be shipped seamlessly from point of origin to destination. A statewide plan that considerers intermodal interconnectivity is necessary if Arizona is to be competitive with other states, such as California and Texas.
• To provide for needed airport improvements, the cap on passenger facilities charges should be increased beyond what is now the maximum amount allowed by federal law.
• Transportation subsidies should be considered to address some of the social needs of retirees, aging Baby Boomers and those who are physically unable to drive.
• Public-private partnerships are desirable and should be considered rather than relying upon government to solve transportation issues.
• A voter-driven ballot initiative is needed increase revenues available to fund transportation.
ATH board member Joel Hiller from Prescott said the consensus recommendations would become part of a larger report synthesized from all the outreach programs. That report, Hiller said, would then be distributed among community, county and state leaders.
After the formal meeting, Arlo “Chip” Davis, a county supervisor from Cottonwood, praised ATH personnel for “…bringing such an important economic concern before residents in Yavapai County. Voters need this kind of information so they can make sound decisions when they enter polling places.” QCBN
A comprehensive report about the 106th Arizona Town Hall is available online at www.aztownhall.org or by calling 602-252-9600.
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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