Yesterday, in cities across the country, Transportation For America launched their “Build for America” campaign.
The Build for America effort is focused on lobbying congress for increased federal investment in a “21st century transportation system” that will create new jobs via the construction of a world-class rail system, upkeep of our existing infrastructure, and construction of more public transit, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities. (See their, “Five Point Plan to Get our Economy Moving”)
That plan echoes an ambitious transportation package Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski says he’ll push for in the 2009 legislative session. The Associated Press reported last week that Kulongoski “will propose a transportation package in January that could create thousands of family-wage construction jobs.”
(Photo J. Maus)
At an economic forum last week, he added that, “This is the time when you start investing in things that put people to work.” As for how he’d pay for the package, Kulongoski said that “Nothing is off the table,” (including a possible gas tax increase and/or congestion pricing).
Streetsblog reported from one of the Build for America launch events in New York City yesterday, where U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler set a “target allocation of $500 billion for the next multi-year transportation spending package” (that’s about twice the amount previously authorized). Nadler told Streetsblog that,
“If we do it right, it will help us get out of the very deep recession we’re going into…If we don’t do it right, it will make the recession deeper and reduce our competitiveness.”
Both Kulongoski and T4 America have come to similar conclusions that, even though we’re facing a major recession, the time is now for a massive re-investment in our transportation infrastructure.
The Oregonian is already backing Kulongoski’s ideas. In an editorial last week titled, Roads, bridges and jobs: Stepping on the gas, Rick Attig wrote:
“…now is the right time for an ambitious transportation program — even if it involves some new funding mechanism, or an increase in taxes or fees to help pay for it.
Oregon’s economy, now and in the future, needs the jobs, needs the investment and needs improved highways, bridges and rail lines.”
The big question is, will bicycle-specific infrastructure be a part of these grand plans?
T4 America is focused primarily on transit and passenger rail, but they were at the recent Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference touting how their plan would “provide Americans with options to get around, including bicycling and walking”. Kulongoski has assembled a committee to look into a sustainable transportation vision for the state and he recently made headlines by biking to work this past summer.
With both of these efforts, bicycles are sure to play a role; but just how big of a role could depend on us. The mission of advocates and citizens that care about making biking a viable option for more Americans will be make our voices heard in a room crowded with interests.