“Persistent under investment in our transportation system is killing us. Transportation related fatalities are the highest killer of 3 to 34 year olds. The costs of doing nothing regarding the long term transportation needs in the Unites States are much higher than the costs of doing something.”

These were the words of Bill Richards, Chief of Staff for Congressman James Oberstar, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, during his presentation at the Chamber’s Regional Issues Meeting in October. The meeting focused on highway transportation reauthorization. While it is not getting as much attention as health care reform legislation and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, transportation is certainly a top issue for the nation and the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead.

The Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead supports legislation that promotes investment in transportation infrastructure and streamlines the approval process that delays or prevents transportation safety improvements.

The current six-year Surface Transportation Authorization Act (STAA) covering federal fiscal years 2005-2009 expired on September 30 and the US DOT is currently operating under a 30-day continuing resolution.

The biggest uncertainty with the next STAA will be finding adequate, reliable and on-going sources of revenue. The Highway Trust Fund, which will begin falling short of planned federal spending in 2009, will face continued projected deficits of federal gas tax revenues associated with declines with the advent of higher fuel mileage standards, as well as that of hybrid electric vehicles. Mr. Oberstar’s vision is to lay the groundwork for a shift towards a user tax based on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the next five to ten years.

Following Mr. Richard’s speech, Wade E. Kline, executive director of Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments (Metro COG), spoke about the emerging details of the next STAA and how it would affect the Fargo Moorhead metropolitan area. As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the FM metropolitan area, Metro COG plays a critical role in developing federally required plans and programs which justify Federal surface transportation expenditures.

Kline explained the next STAA will put a large emphasis on system performance and asset management. Several major programs are likely to be consolidated into a single “Critical Assets” program, which will put more emphasis on local priority setting and system performance monitoring and measures. The role for Metro COG will be elevated to ensure local needs are being met with available sources of funding. The next STAA is going to require that Metro COG use planning factors such as livability, sustainability and public health as it develops plans and programs within the FM metropolitan area to justify Federal aid.

Both Richard and Kline assured those present that while progress is being made, more dialogue is necessary.

For further information, please contact Kelli Poehls, Public Affairs Coordinator at Kelli@fmchamber.com or at 218.359.0511.

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