2013 AASHTO ANNUAL MEETING
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC EXPANSION
DENVER, CO
FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2013
AASHTO Freight Update
WRDA, PRIIA and MAP-21
Chris Smith
Intermodal Policy and Program Manager
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
AASHTO Freight Committees
SCOHT
SCORT
SCOWT
SCITEE
Freight Agenda
in the 113th Congress
• WRDA
• PRIIA
• MAP-21
WRRDA in the House
"Producing a WRDA bill is going to be a
challenge because members of Congress can
no longer specifically request projects that
they know will have significance to the national
economy, but I'm determined to find a way to
address those priorities as we move forward”
It will be up to lawmakers and industry to
educate citizens about why the federal
government should be investing in water
infrastructure…one of the least understood
modes of transportation.
Current State of Play
WRDA Authorization
• S. 601 passed 85-14
 Process Reform
 HMTF Addressed - 2020
• House bill passed T&I
Committee. Floor time
expected in October
NO EARMARKS
What’s Next
• Continue MAP-21 Implementation Advocacy
 Many States already integrating marine networks
 Comments filed on Interim Guidance for State Freight
Plans
 National Freight Network Conditions and Performance
Report
 Continue support of Marine Highway Designations and
Services
FY 2014 Requests
• House and Senate > President
• Both call for $ 1 Billion in HMTF
• HMTF vs IWF and Spending Rules
Status Quo
FY 2013 Army Corps
Appropriations
Funds
O&M
$ 2.407 Billion
Construction
$ 1.671 Billion
Other
$ 0.894 Billion
GENERAL FUND
79%
TOTAL
$ 4.972 Billion
HARBOR
MAINTENANCE
17.9%
INLAND
2%
SEQUESTRATION
O&M
$ 2.286 Billion
Construction
$ 1.587 Billion
Other
$ 0.845 Billion
TOTAL
$ 4.718 Billion
FY 2013 Budget
• Expired on October 1st
• House CR extends until December
15
• Senate has not passed CR
• CR would maintain Sequestration
levels
HR 3080: WRRDA 2013
• Increases investment in Marine Transportation System (MTS)
o
Authorizes 23 new projects; modifies 3 existing projects
• Improves flexibility for non-federal interests to:
o
Move authorized studies and projects forward
o
Expedite evaluation and processing of permits
o
Finance up to 15 projects
• Creates conditions for successful project delivery by:
o
Setting hard deadlines on the time and cost of studies
o
Consolidating or eliminating duplicative or unnecessary studies
o
Streamlining environmental reviews
HR 3080
S 601
Authorizations
• 23 projects referred to Congress
• Annual report to determine authorization
priorities in future water resources
development legislation
Projects referred to Congress after November
8, 2007 (enactment of WRDA 2007), but prior
to date of enactment.
Modifications
• Port of Miami (to completion)
• Little Calumet River Basin (to completion)
• Olmsted Lock and Dam (5 years)
Projects meeting criteria, having already
received appropriation, and accompanied by
report justifying higher costs.
Deauthorizations
• $12 billion in inactive projects (not begun
construction or received funds for 5
years)
• 15 active projects
• Any new project if construction not started
after 7 years
Establishes independent commission to
recommend Corps projects for
deauthorization.
Program
Reforms &
Streamlining
• Feasibility studies conform to “3x3x3”
rule—3 year max, $3 million max, 3 levels
of concurrent review
• Permanent authority allowing funds from
non-federal public interests to expedite
processing of permits
• Consolidates studies; removes duplicative
cost analysis
• More efficient environmental review
process:
o Implementation guidance
o Coordinated or concurrent review
o Jurisdictional or “lead” agencies
o Deadlines
• Feasibility studies conform to “3x3x3” rule—
3 year max, $3 million max, 3 levels of
concurrent review
• Permanent authority allowing funds from
non-federal public interests to expedite
processing of permits
• Pilot program allowing non-federal interests
to carry out feasibility studies and increase
hours of lock operation
• More efficient environmental review process:
o Implementation guidance
o Coordinated or concurrent review
o Jurisdictional or “lead” agencies
o Deadlines
HR 3080
S 601
Inland
Waterways
• Project delivery reforms:
o Certified managers
o Risk-based cost estimates
o Improved designs
• Increases cost-share for Olmsted Lock and
Dam to 75% federal –
25% inland waterway trust fund
• Project delivery reforms:
o Certified managers
o Risk-based cost estimates
o Improved designs
• Increases cost-share threshold for major
rehabilitation projects to $20 million
• Increases cost-share for Olmsted Lock and
Dam to 100% federal
Harbor
Maintenance
• 80% min usage of HMTF by 2020
• Expanded usage for dredging and dredged
materials
• 10% on ports less than 1 million tons
• Full usage of HMTF by 2020
• Prioritizes high-use, deep-draft and Great
Lakes System
• Expanded usage for “donor and energy
transfer” ports
• 10% on ports haven’t received funding for 5
years
Innovative
Financing
• Pilot program allowing non-federal interests
to finance 15 authorized water resource
projects
• Pilot program allowing non-federal interests
to finance 15 authorized water resource
projects
• $250 million WIFIA program for water
resources projects and water/wastewater
infrastructure
AASHTO Bottom Line Reports
Waterborne Freight Bottom Line Report
AASHTO commissioned this report because the
navigable waterways in 38 of the 50 states provide
substantial economic benefits to the entire United
States…
State DOTs recognize the significant role the
nation’s marine transportation assets play in terms
of freight mobility as well as recognize the adverse
effects for highways should waterborne freight be
diverted…
MAP-21 Freight Provisions
Highway
• National Freight Network
 Primary Network: 27,000 centerline miles + Interstate Highway
segments not already part of
 Critical Rural Freight Corridors
• National Freight Strategic Plan and Policy
 National Freight Advisory Committee tasked with recommendations to
USDOT
 State Freight Plans encouraged
 95/5 Interstate and 90/10 highway Federal match for eligible Freight
Projects in State Freight Plans; Indiana DOT has already accomplished
• Truck Parking; Truck Size & Weight; Emergency Permits
MAP-21 Freight Provisions
Rail
• No rail title; certain eligibilities for rail retained
• Sec. 130 dedicated funding for Rail Crossing/Safety Projects
retained
• Awaiting PRIIA 2013
Marine
• Sense of the Congress on Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
• Certain marine-landside connection eligibilities
• Awaiting WRDA 2013
 Passed Senate
 House WRRDA expected to be released in days
MAP-21 Freight Provisions
Performance Management
- New freight performance measures
- USDOT Conditions and Performance Report
Projects of National and Regional Significance
TIFIA
Research
 National Freight Cooperative Research Program deauthorized
PRIIA
• State Rail Planning Mandate
• State cost share for Passenger Rail
• Long Distance Trains