Our very own Scott Bricker had a piece published in today’s Oregonian.
Here it is, republished:
Do you remember the old TV show, The Six Million Dollar Man? The premise was simple: scientists, by using huge amounts of money, created a part-man, part-machine superhero. It was a silly show. Today trucking and freight interests are pushing their own version, “The Six Billion Dollar Plan.� The so-called “Cost of Congestion� study calls for six billion dollars in new regional transportation investment Despite the superhero price tag, their plan would not spur economic development and would only marginally impact congestion.
If you had six billion dollars, how would you spend it to best encourage economic development in the Portland region? We’ve asked people this exact question and heard compelling ideas like investing in higher education facilities, shoring up public schools and even giving away condominiums to 25,000 of the nation’s hottest talent. Not a single person has replied, “reduce my commute by 30 seconds.�
The freight movement community however is saying just that. The Portland Business Alliance and Port of Portland recently presented its Cost of Congestion Study to the Portland City Club and the Oregon Legislature. They argue that our region should spend six billion more dollars – roughly eight thousand dollars per household – mainly to widen highways. They claim that billions of dollars in new highways, and investing in some transit, will improve the economy.
Here’s the rub: everyone agrees that even if we followed that plan, and more than doubled the region’s twenty year transportation investments from $4 billion to $10 billion, congestion and travel times will still increase. The expanded budget simply reduces the increase in congestion by 30 seconds. That’s right: your household’s taxes increase $8000, and you get 30 seconds in return. The report also shows two minutes savings for the average truck trip. All for six billion dollars.
The Cost of Congestion Study fails to acknowledge the elephant in the room. The single biggest contributor to congestion is drive-alone trips under five miles. What’s keeping our local distribution from getting around isn’t inadequate highways — it’s you and me driving from place to place. And where are we going? Often, we’re clogging the freeways just to go down the road to the grocery store or library. The smart investment to help freight move would focus on programs that give people better choices than driving alone.
The report does not appear to have sparked much interest in the larger business community, not to mention voters…most of us can spot a poor deal when we see it. On the flip side however, a recent North Carolina DOT study found that bicycle facilities returned nine dollars in benefits per dollar invested.
Our point is not that congestion isn’t a problem, but that the Six Billion Dollar Plan is a fantasy whose time is past. Instead, we can live within our means, use technology and innovative partnerships to create more efficient transportation systems, allowing us to focus property tax dollars on programs that will truly move the economy.
So, blog readers… what would you do with six billion dollars to improve the region’s economy?
Where can I get a copy of that NC DOT study?
Right here.
BTA should look at what it is doing with it’s own government money. BTA is managing a so called safe routes to schools program that will actuall encourage motor vehicle congestion and parking in a neighborhood (Ladds Addition/Abernethy Elementary) . This is a neighborhood that has historically encouraged bikes and restricted motor vehicle traffic. I remember when the BTA actually supported parking for bikes. Lets get back to ourt routes and not be compromised by government funding.