Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

U.S., Philippines Agree to Fight Piracy

Last April, when pirates off the coast of Somalia seized the Alabama, a merchant vessel, and took its captain hostage, Americans learned that piracy on the high seas—around Somalia, Nigeria, and elsewhere—is a serious problem.

So I was pleased today to meet with President Gloria Arroyo of the Republic of the Philippines to sign the first joint nonbinding Memorandum of Cooperation between our nations to address the piracy issue.

It is estimated that pirates have carried out more than 82 attacks this year just in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast. And more than 199 seafarers are currently being held captive.

Piracy threatens the health and safety of our seamen and disrupts the free flow of maritime commerce in major commercial corridors.

Many U.S. vessels have been threatened by these activities, and the Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of seafaring labor—so this problem concerns both our nations.

Working together, we will draw upon the resources of both our nations to identify areas where we can improve counter-piracy training and education.

We will develop best practices to enhance vessel security, conduct drills to ensure our seamen are prepared to respond to acts of piracy, and share information. And we will also examine ways to strengthen legislation and regulations to address this problem.

President Obama understands that a healthy maritime transportation sector is vital to our economy; vital to our ability to compete globally; and vital to our continued good relations with trading partners around the world.

Our new arrangement with the Philippines reflects our commitment to work closely with other nations to combat piracy wherever it occurs.

DOT supports "Feds Feed Families" campaign

The Department of Transportation is pleased and proud to participate in the “Feds Feed Families” food drive.

Yesterday, I went to the Capital Area Food Bank, one organization receiving food that federal personnel have been donating this summer. With me were Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Director of the Office of Personnel Management John Berry, and Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii.

What an amazing facility the Food Bank has and quite a powerhouse leader in Lynn Brantley. There are volunteers all over the place donating not money but time and labor to help package donated food for distribution to families in need. It's not easy work.

You know, one of the things I am most proud of as a member of the Obama Administration is the commitment to service we've emphasized. First Lady Michelle Obama has done a great job calling attention to the very real problem of hunger that exists right here in the District. And earlier this summer, we helped her launch the United We Serve program.

I want to thank John Berry for OPM's leadership on the food drive-–and DOT's own Linda Washington, who has done a great job coordinating our agency's donations.

We’ve set a goal at DOT along with our partners, the OPM, and the Capital Area Food Bank. We want to collect over 1 million pounds of food this summer to help refill empty shelves at local food banks.

Our next collection date is this Friday, and we hope to keep the donations pouring in.

In these hard times, it’s important to remember how fortunate many of us are, and it's important for those of us who have been so fortunate to help those who are struggling.

So, we at DOT are going to continue to do our part-–I hope all of you will do what you can as well.

Counties should be free to put outcomes first in transportation investment

County government has been at the center of American civic life for more than 350 years.

Counties help preserve and protect the qualities that make our urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods special. Counties create a climate for business, for families, and for the institutions we all care about--from libraries and schools to vibrant downtown streets and safe rural roads.

County officials have their ears to the ground because they govern where people live. And that's why I was pleased to address the National Association of Counties on Sunday.

Now, transportation plays a major role in creating the kinds of counties people want to live in; transportation policy can reduce dependence on private vehicles and foreign oil and promote a cleaner environment.

But for too long, federal policy has encouraged sprawl and congestion and pollution, rather than quality public transportation and smart, sustainable development. We intend to change that.

And for too long, federal transportation spending has mainly been driven by rigid formulas that divide highways from subways and commuter rail from ferries. We intend to change that.

The good news is, we have a model for this in the $1.5 billion discretionary TIGER grant program funded through the Recovery Act.

DOT kicks-off CARS, a win-win-win opportunity

Today, we kicked-off our Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) on the plaza at DOT headquarters. We’re very excited about the tremendous interest this program has generated and of the great job NHTSA is doing getting the program up and running.

I was joined by Rep. John Dingell, Sen. Carl Levin, and Rep. Sander Levin--all of Michigan--and Rep. Betty Sutton of Ohio as well as several folks from auto dealer associations. We also had on hand two fellows, John Bailey and John Mackereth, who have already taken advantage of CARS to trade-in their older gas-guzzlers for more fuel-efficient models.

The CARS program does three things:

1. It helps struggling consumers to buy reliable vehicles they can depend on to get to work – while lowering their costs on gas and maintenance;
2. It helps community dealerships – which are small businesses, after all – to weather the bad economy; and
3. It helps to lower CO-2 emissions and reduce fuel consumption because any new vehicle purchased through this program must be more fuel-efficient than the one that’s traded in.

We think the CARS program is going to help put about 250,000 newer, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks on the road.

So far, nearly 16,000 dealers around the country have submitted applications to participate. We’ve received more than 45,000 calls. And our website, www.cars.gov, has already received 1.5 million hits!

That’s good news for the environment, for the economy, and for consumers’ wallets.

Stimulus programs from DOT and other agencies support jobs in nation's counties

I arrived in Nashville yesterday to speak to the National Association of Counties about the success of the Recovery Act and about the future of transportation in this country.  In a wonderful coincidence, yesterday's front-page of The Tennessean featured an article I was pleased to share on the success of the Obama Administration's stimulus in nearby Perry County.

Now, the federal program discussed in the article was not a DOT program, but so much the better. Readers know from this blog that DOT's stimulus programs are creating jobs and driving economic growth and rebuilding infrastructure around the country. The orange barrels and cones are out; green transit vehicles are being put into service; and port facilities are being developed.

For example, today, right here in Nashville, workers are rebuilding a major interchange on I-40. This long-delayed, $32 million project is funded entirely by the Recovery Act.  It’s creating up to 350 jobs for workers and suppliers. And the new noise barriers being erected will help bring peace and quiet to the neighborhood.

Instead, the article just goes to show that these successes are being achieved in a wide variety of programs. The nation’s counties benefit from the billions of Recovery Act dollars the Administration is investing in infrastructure, tax relief, and social services.

As the article points out, Perry County's unemployment rate was over 27%. That is an indication of the catastrophic scope of the problem the Recovery Act was designed to mitigate, and in Perry County it has worked, reducing that unemployment rate by one-fifth.

The Tennessean's coverage tells the story I've seen around the country--in Perry County and elsewhere, the stimulus is working.

No question: the Recovery Act is putting Americans to work on transportation infrastructure

On the Hill again today, telling the House Committee on the Budget how the Obama Administration's stimulus is strengthening our economy. I was joined by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack--my partner on a Rural Tour visit to La Crosse, Wisconsin--and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

By strengthening our economy, I mean creating jobs, sustaining jobs, and positioning our transportation infrastructure for the 21st century. And that is exactly what we are doing.

Here's the scorecard:

• $22 billion--nearly half of DOT's stimulus money--made available to the States;
• Over 6,600 projects approved
• Over 3,200 projects underway right now

And the future promises even more boosts to economic activity:

• $8 billion in high-speed rail development
• $1.5 billion in TIGER discretionary grants

What's more, the record on compliance and responsibility has been amazing:

• 100% of States and Territories met the 120-day deadline to obligate half of their highway funds
• Transit agencies are on track to meet a similar deadline on September 1st
• 3 phases of DOT Risk Management Plan for Recovery Act programs complete
• DOT's Accountability Executive Board keeps open lines of communication with the DOT Inspector General

Honored and humbled by the Republican Main Street Partnership

I was honored and humbled last night to receive the Amory Houghton, Jr., Award for Distinguished Public Service from former Representative Tom Davis, leader of the Republican Main Street Partnership.

Honored because the Partnership--a group of Congressional Republicans willing to work with colleagues across the aisle--represents to me the essence of bipartisanship.

Everyone reading this should understand the magnitude of their gesture in giving me this award. I serve in the Obama Administration. Yes, I was a Republican Congressman, and I remain a Republican, but--make no mistake--they are recognizing a Cabinet Officer sitting in a Democratic administration. Now, if that is not the Partnership reaching across party lines, I don't know what is.

That genuine bipartisanship, which Rep. Steven LaTourette spoke of in his remarks last night, is why the Partnership was so dear to me during my years in Congress. And it ought to be pretty clear by now that I value that approach to getting things done for this country.

Honored, also, because I believe so strongly in the value of public service.

It isn’t always easy. My former colleagues in Congress know that; my new colleagues in the Obama Administration are learning it. But, at the end of the day, you know you tried to do something for your country. That makes it worth the effort.

Humbled because the theme of last night's ceremony was "Divided We Fall," and during these tough times Lincoln's words remind us of what's at stake.

Now, Lincoln was a great practitioner of bipartisanship, of considering all voices before acting. It was humbling to represent Lincoln's part of Illinois in Congress, and it's humbling to serve in an Administration that evokes so much of Lincoln's legacy.

Humbled, as well, because of the many outstanding lawmakers and friends who have received this award before me not the least of whom is the award's worthy namesake, Amo Houghton.

An extra thank-you goes out to Sen. Susan Collins, who gave a shout-out to this very blog in her remarks!

And, thanks again to the Partnership for this recognition; I've got a lot of public service left in me, and I will do my best to live up to it.

At Senate lunch, talk of DOT role in climate and energy

Lunch yesterday with Senators Boxer, Kerry, and Whitehouse. On the menu?  DOT's role in the effort to reduce dependence on oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate our impact on climate change. We were joined by Governors Gregoire and Ritter--two leaders whose states are way out in front on this issue.

What is DOT's role in this challenge?  First, it's pretty clear that transportation is a major source of oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, so we need to take the lead in any solution to climate and energy problems.

Here's what the Obama Administration's DOT has been doing to make things better:

• Achieving greater fuel economy--which we are working toward with EPA;
• Reducing total vehicles miles traveled--which we are working toward with both EPA and HUD;
• Developing high-speed rail, a convenient, energy-efficient choice for inter-city travel;
• Modernizing air traffic control through NextGen, which improves aircraft efficiency both in the air and on the ground;
• Improving roadways--through the stimulus--to reduce the waste of traffic congestion;
• Exploring alternative aviation fuels and emissions technologies; and
• Helping public transit agencies--through Recovery Act moneys--purchase more clean-fuel vehicles.

Thank you, Sarasota and Rep. Buchanan

Yesterday, I visited Sarasota, Florida, where I was hosted at a town hall discussion with local leaders by my former colleague, Rep. Vern Buchanan.

Now, many people know that Rep. Buchanan has said he thinks the Obama Administration's economic stimulus hasn't worked, but no one should be surprised that he and I would appear together. As he said yesterday, "My goal is to get people working together." That is something we agree on.

One of the ideas I mentioned yesterday was something we learned from the stimulus, that the DOT can get money out the door both responsively and responsibly.  So, one of our priorities going forward with transportation reform will be streamlining regulations associated with federal money so local projects can be supported more quickly.

That seems to be a goal of the leaders we met yesterday, as well as of many planners and officials I've met around the country.

Others told me they want more bikeways and walking paths, high-speed rail, and more transit options. By now, readers of this blog should know that this Administration strongly advocates these livability elements in future transportation policy.

I want to thank the folks in attendance yesterday for sharing their concerns with me. And, I particularly want to thank my host, Rep. Vern Buchanan, for his generosity and collegiality. I hope we all learned a bit about each other, and I look forward to working together as we move forward on transportation reform.

State DOTs on Recovery Act success to date: "The facts speak for themselves"

It's nice to have an opportunity to let others carry the message that's so much on my mind--that the stimulus has been creating jobs and rebuilding America's transportation infrastructure. A gathering last week of state DOT leaders is one of those opportunities.

At its annual meeting, the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials said:

"The facts speak for themselves. Barrels and cones are on the roads. The stimulus is providing steady and sustained jobs, which are real family wage-earning jobs for workers in our country."

WASHTO supports its claim with facts:

• 2,000 projects are now underway, worth more than $6 billion;
• Over 5,600 projects have been identified and approved for bidding, with $16.7 billion flowing into the economy over the next two years;
• All 50 states moved swiftly to obtain federal approval for half of their federal funds within 120 days of the signing of the Recovery Act;
• 15 states have already obtained approval for 80% of their funds;
• 51% of the funds are being spent in economically disadvantaged areas, representing almost 40 percent of the nation’s population; and
• With bids coming in 5-30%  lower than projected, more projects can be launched than initially planned.

High-speed rail grants draw 278 pre-applications from 40 states

The July 10 deadline for states, regions, and agencies to pre-apply for High-Speed and Inter-City Passenger Rail funds has passed, and I really can't express how gratifying it is to see that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received 278 pre-applications covering 40 states and the District of Columbia.

Folks, the response has been just tremendous. And it shows that not only does this country want high-speed rail, but also that this country is ready for high-speed rail. And it demonstrates a pent-up demand in America for the kind of fast, reliable, and sustainable transportation option people in Europe and Asia already experience every day.

I think the people of the states and regions that pre-applied understand that it’s time to look beyond our highways and invest in public transportation services--like passenger rail--that will enhance  mobility and reduce our carbon footprint.

But, I also think the overwhelming response shows that the planners who pre-applied for these grants are way ahead of where everyone thought they'd be in terms of their ability to conceive of and plan these rail lines. And that's good news.

Now, it's true that the pre-applications seek $102 billion in funding, far more than the $8 billion the Recovery Act makes available. But that just means more intense competition among applicants to demonstrate their projects deserve federal support. And, in the weeks leading up to the August 24 final deadline, pre-applicants will be working closely with our experts in the FRA refining and improving their applications to ensure their competitiveness.

It also means careful deliberation on our part to select the applications that will deliver the greatest value. That's a responsibility we welcome.

Wisconsin speaks; I listen; DOT delivers

Supporting good jobs, modern infrastructure, and sound economic development is just as important to rural areas as it is to urban areas. Yesterday, as part of President Obama's Rural Tour, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and I traveled to La Crosse, Wisconsin, not just to deliver that message, but to hear from local residents.

This Administration understands how important it is for folks living in rural parts of America to have safe, reliable, and efficient access to jobs, schools, hospitals, and commercial centers. And we know that rural and urban areas have somewhat different needs, constraints, and practices.

So, as we revitalize transportation around the country, we know that mobility in rural communities will look different from mobility in urban centers. And that's why we went to West Salem--to listen to the folks attending the La Crosse Interstate Fair share their ideas on the challenges they face.

Here's some of what I heard:

• It's getting harder financially to depend on a truck or car for all of a family's transportation needs.
• Rural residents need transit just like city-dwellers do.
• Access to commercial air service is increasingly difficult for rural areas.
• Shippers of grain and other products need better freight options to get rurally produced goods to markets.

Those are challenges the DOT is addressing right now. But, I also heard how pleased local officials are:

• With the more than $375 million for 135 projects they are getting for highway dollars alone;
• With the $15.7 million for airport improvement projects not just in urban Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, but also in rural Rhinelander;
• With the $3.2 million for Amtrak upgrades in La Crosse and elsewhere;
• With the $34 million in funding provided by the Recovery Act for small transit projects in Wisconsin; and
• That the $23 million they've saved from lower than expected bids can be used to support more projects, to create more jobs.

And, thanks to what I heard today in Wisconsin, we can better tailor future projects to deliver even more value and even greater mobility to America's rural communities.

Stimulus: DOT momentum creating jobs, rebuilding infrastructure

As information about the economy comes out, it's easy to get impatient. But it’s important to remember that the Recovery Act is only 6 months old. The stimulus rolls out in stages; it has a lot of moving parts; and it’s absolutely essential that we get it right.

So far, the DOT has a great deal to show for our investments:

• Over 6,300 transportation projects have been approved.
• More than 2,700 road and airport improvement projects, and hundreds of transit projects, are under way right now.

We’ve got real momentum going here.

Sure, it's difficult to gauge the stimulus' effectiveness when we don't know how much worse off we'd be without it. But--make no mistake--the governors, mayors, planners, and contractors I talk to all agree that without these well-timed federal infrastructure investments, we would be in worse shape.

Here's a sample of job improvement from transportation spending alone:

• By May, Pennsylvania had added over 700 jobs; that figure is much higher today;
• The Maryland DOT hired back all of its laid-off workers;
• A single Massachusetts contractor hired over 300 workers.

Now, I understand the restlessness many feel about the economy; I understand the enormous responsibility taxpayers have entrusted to us. But, the perception that we haven’t moved quickly enough is simply not true. This department has moved money out the door nearly twice as fast we have done in the past.

And the states aren’t dragging their feet, either. Remember that every state beat the Congressional deadline to obligate 50 percent of their highway stimulus funds within the first 120 days.

Finally, the Recovery Act has not nearly played itself out yet:

• Lower than expected bids mean we can fund additional projects, creating additional jobs.
• In September, we begin awarding a portion of the $8 billion available for inter-city and high-speed passenger rail.
• Next winter, we begin awarding the additional $1.5 billion in discretionary grants for transportation projects around the country.

The ripples from these investments will carry well into next year and beyond, helping to get our economy back on track.

Activists carry transportation reform message to Congress

There's been plenty of information lately on how much deficient transportation costs the U.S. whether in terms of lost lives, property damage, or congestion delays. There hasn't been enough discussion of the return on transportation investment. One group, FasterBetterSafer-Americans for Transportation Mobility, wants to change that.

FasterBetterSafer is sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce, and today the Chamber is hosting the "Transportation is your business--Fly in." Over 100 business leaders from across the US are traveling to Washington, DC, to share their views on transportation policy with their Senators and Representatives.

These activists are asking Congress to include transportation reform in any reauthorization of transportation policy. They have 4 basic requests of their legislators:

• Explore all funding options--including raising user fees, encouraging private investment, and creating an infrastructure bank.
• Safeguard money collected from gas taxes and other fees for transportation-specific projects.
• Cut red tape associated with those projects.
• Address the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund immediately.

The point is simple: effective transportation improves economic growth--goods and services flow, productivity increases, American businesses maintain their competitiveness.

Plus, maintaining, improving, and expanding transportation infrastructure is itself a job creator; investing in transportation helps drive economic growth.

This has been the message of the President's stimulus program, but we now need motivated folks like the Americans for Transportation Mobility to carry this message into the surface transportation reauthorization process.

While we are all free to agree or disagree with FasterBetterSafer's agenda, we should all celebrate the access to our legislators the Constitution guarantees us.

Welcome to Washington; I hope your day is fruitful.

Smart community planning, more transportation options lead to reduced carbon emissions

Reducing the impact of climate change, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and lessening dependence on foreign oil are high priorities for the Obama Administration.

Today, I brought that message of aggressive action for a clean-energy environment to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Here's a brief idea of what I said in a hearing on Transportation's Role in Climate Change and Reducing Greenhouse Gases:

• We must take action to make all forms of transportation more fuel efficient while stepping up efforts to introduce low-carbon fuels and alternative power sources for all types of vehicles.
• However, even if we were to achieve a 55 mile-per-gallon fuel efficiency standard in the coming years, carbon emission levels from transportation would still only decline modestly. We must implement policies and programs that reduce vehicle miles driven.
• This means providing communities with additional transportation choices, such as light rail, fuel-efficient buses, and paths for pedestrians and bicycles that intersect with transit centers. These options will also reduce household transportation costs, strengthen local economies, lower traffic congestion, and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
• Our strategy also calls for investing transportation dollars in coordination with housing and economic development. By doing so, we can promote strong communities with mixed-income housing located close to transit in walkable neighborhoods.

Well there it is, for all to read:

If we want to reduce transportation carbon emissions, we need to reduce the amount of driving we do.

In the end, folks, we're not talking about huge sacrifices. The DOT and the strategies outlined above can help smooth the transition to a less-car-dependent mobility.

And, I look forward to working with Congress to achieve these important goals in both the climate change and surface transportation bills.

President hosts urban affairs summit

"For too long, federal policy has actually encouraged sprawl and congestion and pollution, rather than quality public transportation and smart, sustainable development."

Those are the words of President Barack Obama at yesterday's urban affairs summit. Among other topics, the President talked about the 3-agency livable community partnership between DOT, HUD, and the EPA as part of his "new, imaginative, bold vision," for the nation's cities. "Housing, transportation, energy efficiency -- these things aren't mutually exclusive; they go hand in hand."

As he indicated, we are taking a hard look at urban practices around the country to identify best practices in housing, transportation, and sustainability.

The nation's cities should also welcome the President's request to the Office of Urban Affairs and other agencies to review federal infrastructure and transportation policies and "how Washington helps or hinders our cities and metro areas."

“What we’ve heard," said new Office of Urban Affairs head Adolfo Carrion, “is that there are too many bottlenecks in the way for cities to have the latitude to invest in smart ways and make the connections for the way people live.”

I assure you, the DOT is on-board the movement to ease those bottlenecks where we can and to streamline transportation funding to urban areas.

A thriving Seaway is a lifeline to the world's ports

On Friday, Rep. Marcy Kaptur stood with me aboard the US Coast Guard cutter Mobile Bay and said, about the St. Lawrence Seaway: "It is really our lifeline for waterborne commerce to the world."

 

While Rep. Kaptur may not have been speaking for those who don't live in the Great Lakes area, the Toledo Blade reports that the Seaway "sustains about 150,000 jobs in America and Canada." That's nothing for any of us to sneeze at, no matter where we live.

The reality is the Seaway connects the heartlands of America with ports around the world. It is indeed a lifeline, and attending its 50th anniversary celebration was eye-opening.

Lots of interesting moments at the celebration: standing aboard the Mobile Bay in the Eisenhower Lock; waiting for the lock's valves to drain away 22 million gallons of water; feeling the vessel being lowered 44 feet in only 7 minutes; listening to former US Army Corps of Engineers Project Engineer and Chief Engineer John B. Adams III speak about the many challenges Seaway builders faced.

But, the Seaway is not some artifact; it is a living waterway, and to keep our heartlands connected to trade routes, and to keep those 150,000 people employed, we need to keep the Seaway thriving.

As US Seaway Administrator Collister Johnson, Jr., said:

Maritime transport has changed dramatically over the last 50 years, so the Seaway must adapt to new technology and new markets. Our two governments have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to Seaway infrastructure, and our users are investing billions of dollars in new Seaway-sized ships. The Seaway must remain relevant to their needs.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, remembered the Seaway fondly as one of those accomplishments people said he would never pull off. By maintaining the Seaway's competitiveness, we honor President Eisenhower's memory.

St. Lawrence Seaway celebrates 50 years by looking forward

This afternoon, I'll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Seaway is a US-Canadian waterway that has carried over 2.5 billion tons of cargo, valued at over $375 billion since its 1959 opening by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II.

This binational project is a vital maritime gateway that moves cargo between North America and international markets. The Great Lakes Seaway System stretches over 2,300 miles from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Lake Superior.

So, if you live near the Great Lakes, you probably already appreciate the value of the Seaway for delivering the goods you use as well as the goods your region produces.

If you aren't familiar with the Seaway, it's a tremendous engineering feat that stands as a testament to all that can be accomplished when great nations work together to invest in their economic welfare-– not just for the present, but for generations to come.

But an asset like the Seaway must be kept in good repair. Too much is at risk to let this route and its locks, markers, bridges, ports, and other tools succumb to time and the ravages of weather and water. That's why US Seaway Administrator Collister Johnson, Jr. reminds us that it's "important to remember its history, but most important to prepare the Seaway to meet tomorrow's needs and challenges."

And we have taken Administrator Johnson's words to heart. At the celebration today, we will highlight the $17.5 million Asset Renewal Plan to begin addressing long-term Seaway infrastructure needs.

Today, we'll be celebrating the Seaway's history and anticipating its future at the Eisenhower Lock in Massena, New York. I am looking forward to the trip, and to sharing my photos and impressions in a future entry.

Meet Alison Barber, our next Voice of the Recovery Act

Thanks to the Obama Administration's stimulus efforts, Colorado's Alison Barber is at work today in construction management. Her story will soon be on our website, but here's a quick preview.



Alison is a recent graduate of Colorado State University--go Rams!--and this construction management major considers herself more fortunate than many of her classmates:

"A lot of my classmates didn't get jobs right out of college and I think it really helped that the stimulus focused on highway construction."

She's got that right; the employment rate for her CSU construction management peers has dropped to less than 50%.

But, Ali has been working hard for Castle Rock Construction Company on the C-470 road and bike-path repair project outside Denver. As the video at left demonstrates, she's also been an outspoken supporter of the Recovery Act and the good-paying jobs the stimulus has created at all levels of transportation construction.

You can read more about her in the Denver Post and at Denver's CBS4.

It's difficult to imagine a better graduation gift than a good job in her chosen career field. Congrats Alison! I'm sure you'll make us all proud.

TIGER team passes GAO muster; this government works

Good news about the government? Yes, there is.

Look, folks, the Obama Administration promised responsible and transparent stimulus spending. And in a June 30 report that no one heard about, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concludes that DOT's TIGER team is upholding that promise.

The GAO says our TIGER team got it right. And, I think people should know about it.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $1.5 billion in discretionary grants for transportation projects. These grants to states, local governments, and transit agencies must be awarded competitively for capital investments in transportation that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area, or a region.

In May, DOT's TIGER team published criteria for assessing applications for these grants. The GAO thoroughly reviewed our process for developing those criteria and found that we had done a good job.

The GAO praised the TIGER team for:

• Communicating important elements about the grants
• Selecting criteria that support merit-based awards
• Following transportation infrastructure investment principles

Whether government does too much or too little--that's a political debate. That the folks on the TIGER team did their job well--that's a plain fact I'm proud to share.

Bremerton Tunnel artfully reduces congestion

From yesterday's visit to Seattle, I traveled across Puget Sound for the opening of the Bremerton Tunnel.

The $54 million tunnel was built to redirect vehicle traffic off-loading from the ferry and make the downtown Bremerton area more pedestrian-friendly. They have fourteen boats arriving each day, with about 330,000 vehicles off-loading in 2008.

I want to thank Governor Christine Gregoire and Congressman Norm Dicks, without whose leadership this project would not have been funded.

 

It's not the longest tunnel in the world at 959 feet, but it is a beauty. It's also full of technology, with systems for lighting, electrical, communications, ventilation, flood control, fire detection, camera detection and hydrocarbon detection.

One feature definitely worth some attention is the design of the tunnel walls. The entrance and exit feature sculpting that looks like basalt columns, and the underground walls feature relief artwork that looks like trees.
 

Apparently, tiles were eliminated from the tunnel plan to reduce costs, but the contractor suggested using this artwork. Now, that's the kind of creative partnership I wish every project would enjoy.

 

Directing commuter traffic underground will improve safety and decrease congestion.

 

But, the tunnel also makes possible unobstructed access to new waterfront shops, housing, and parkland. And, this is an important step forward in Bremerton’s efforts to modernize its central business district and entice more people to live, work, and play here.

 

One of the Obama Administration's top priorities is investing in projects that help cities become more livable and sustainable.

 

The Bremerton Tunnel fits squarely with those goals.

More transportation choices means more mobility; Seattle gets it

Yesterday, I came to Seattle, a city that succeeds in promoting growth and opportunity while limiting sprawl, congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions. The Obama Administration wants to help more communities across the U.S. enjoy the easy access to jobs, homes, schools, and transit that cities like Seattle offer.

And, thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), this Administration is investing in more than 5,700 good transportation projects all over the country that do just that. We’ve made more than $20 billion available, with much more to come. By rebuilding and improving transit systems, bike paths, walking trails, roads, and bridges, this Administration is using stimulus funds to create jobs and achieve a new American mobility.

I've repeated that message on these blog pages many times because it's so important. In Seattle yesterday, Washington Governor Christine Gregoire made the same point.

In Seattle, $23 million in recovery dollars will help purchase new hybrid buses, additional bike lockers and other transit needs.

In addition, we’re investing $44 million of stimulus money to accelerate work on the University Link light rail system. This important project will connect the three largest urban centers in the state--Capitol Hill, Downtown Seattle, and the University of Washington.

This project will create good jobs, will see 70,000 daily boardings, and will cement Seattle’s reputation as one of the most transit-friendly and livable cities in America.

This Administration understands that it’s important to invest in America’s cities to keep them vibrant and economically healthy. And, a diverse and efficient transportation system is an essential part of that effort.

That’s why one of our top priorities at DOT is to invest in projects in communities like Seattle--to help them become more livable and sustainable by reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and providing access to good public transportation options, employment, and housing.

Folks, it's really very simple: More transportation choices means more mobility. Seattle gets it. Portland gets it. The Obama Administration gets it.

Gold Line's Eastside Extension is a model for America

On Friday, I toured the new Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension in Los Angeles. This line, now nearing completion, is a great example of the new mobility the Obama Administration is working hard to bring to America's communities.

The extension is a 6-mile light rail line running from downtown L.A.'s Union Station to Atlantic. Along the way, the line connects downtown L.A. with Little Tokyo, the Arts District, Boyle Heights, and East L.A. 

This extension demonstrates precisely the kind of multi-modal livability we've been advocating for. It offers connections to Metro and community bus lines; Metro Red and Purple lines; LAX via a free shuttle; Metrolink commuter rail service; and Amtrak. Through those direct connections, the Eastside Extension links its 8 stations to the rest of Greater Los Angeles.

Along the way, I saw wonderful housing opportunities and very livable communities. Metro estimates about 13,000 daily trips on this extension by the end of its first year. That's livable mobility, designed specifically for the communities the Eastside Extension serves.

The line would not be nearing completion without the hard work of Congresswomen Napolitano and Roybal-Allard. Their leadership made sure funding was available to the local leaders who want to improve the quality of life in their communities.

This is a model for America, and I congratulate everyone involved for making this happen.

Buzzed driving and the 4th of July don't mix

Today's message is simple, but it needs to be said:

We have much to celebrate this weekend, and we should celebrate safely.

Click on the "Play" arrow to hear a public-service announcement from me on safe driving.

In the past few months I've enjoyed the opportunity to travel across the country and visit with many different people in many different places. I am so proud of the people I've met. And, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to witness the diverse bounty America offers.

As we celebrate this 4th of July, I hope everyone has an opportunity to appreciate these things.

Another development I'm celebrating today is a report from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit the lowest level since 1961 and fatalities in the first three months of 2009 continue to decrease. But, we can do better. So, as we celebrate this weekend, I hope everyone will consider NHTSA's reminder that "Buzzed driving is drunk driving." During the July 4th holiday period in 2007, there were 200 traffic-related fatalities. Of those, 44% involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Many of us mistakenly think that having one too many will not impair our driving ability. That is not the case. You don’t have to be ‘falling down drunk’ to be a threat to yourself and others on the road.

Right-click on the image below and press "Play" to view message

I'd like to come to work on Monday and have something else to celebrate, that Americans took to heart NHTSA's message that buzzed driving and the 4th of July don't mix.

Safe travels, everyone-

California's ports: transportation leadership at work

Today I toured the Port of Oakland. Now, taken together, our seaports account for roughly 8.4 million American jobs and add nearly $2 trillion to our economy. And, as the 4th busiest container port in the United States, Oakland is a significant economic driver for California and the Northwest region.

So, it’s good to know that Oakland’s port commissioners recently approved a Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan to reduce diesel pollution from port sources by 85% by 2020.

As we seek to reduce emissions and energy use in transportation--whether on water, land, or in the air--this is an important step.

I, and Senator Boxer who was with me today, also applaud the ports of Stockton and West Sacramento for joining with Oakland to develop new waterborne export and import options. Together, these coastal ports will serve as a gateway to the heart of California’s agricultural region, helping local farmers expand their export options and reduce transportation costs.

This all-water 'highway' will create jobs, take trucks off congested roads, and improve air quality.

That's transportation for the 21st century.

Report: Better Roads = Safer Passage

For those traveling on this busy 4th of July weekend, I encourage you not to protest too vigorously the congestion caused by construction zones. An eye-opening report released yesterday clearly indicates that better roadways are safer roadways.

Published by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation on behalf of the Transportation Construction Coalition, the report, titled “On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways," is a wake-up call that we must get serious about funding road repairs.

The report concludes that more than half of U.S. highway fatalities are related to deficient roadway conditions. Now, this is not to suggest that we shouldn't also minimize drunk driving and maximize seat-belt use. But, it is astonishing to learn that deficient roadways contribute each year to 22,000 fatalities and $217 billion in damage.

“Concerns about swine flu pale in comparison to the number of crash victims I treat,” said Dr. Jared Goldberg, an emergency room physician in Alexandria, VA. “In medical terms, highway fatalities and injuries have reached epidemic proportions, and efforts to prevent further spread of this plague are essential. It's a lot simpler than developing a vaccine: fixing dangerous roads would help prevent traffic crashes.”

Remember that the report indicates only that faulty roadways contribute to crashes. However, the report's author, Dr. Ted Miller, warns against taking too much comfort in that:

“Safer drivers and safer cars remain vitally important, but safer roadways are critical to saving lives, preventing injuries and reducing costs. It is far more practical to make the roadway environment more forgiving and protective.”

I'll post tomorrow about reducing an all-too-common behavioral factor. But, for now, this report offers one more good reason to get our roads fixed up, and fixed up soon. That's what the Obama Administration has been doing with the $16.1 billion in highway stimulus funds we've obligated to over 4800 projects across the country. And that's what we will continue doing.

Safe driving, everyone--

Portland Streetcar suits this 'livable community'

The unveiling of the new American-manufactured streetcar in Portland today and the tour of the Oregon Iron Works plant afterward were something to see.



Here's the video from the unveiling (note the nice job they did scrolling a welcome message across the streetcar):

I'm not sure I've ever seen a group of workers so proud of what they've built together. If you look below at the picture of everyone unwrapping the streetcar, I think you'll see what I mean.



"I know that this was a dream come true for many of you," I told them later at the streetcar assembly plant. What I didn't tell them is that an American-manufactured streetcar is something of a dream come true for all of us.

You know, it hasn't been easy to fund streetcars in this country. But, what I saw in Portland today has impressed me. As I told the folks at Oregon Iron Works, I'm committed to seeing that the streetcar program can be funded with federal dollars. A streetcar is a perfect fit for some communities--certainly Portland sees it as a fit for them--and suiting the needs and qualities of the local population is what livable communities are all about.




I want to thank Congressman Blumenauer for wearing a non-bow tie in my honor today--even if he claims he was "messing" with me. And a heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in today's events.

Much to look forward to in Portland today

I had a great day in Colorado yesterday, and today I'm looking forward to another excellent visit. This time, I'll be in Portland, Oregon, where the Obama Administration's stimulus is helping to fund expansion of the Portland Streetcar.

Why so excited?

The thing about Portland is that public transportation is part of the city's DNA. Streetcars, light rail, and buses are all available to take commuters, residents, and tourists almost anywhere they need to go.

The Portland Streetcar has an even more promising angle working for it: a partnership between Portland and a home-grown manufacturing company, Oregon Ironworks.

This company has built the prototype streetcar we’re unveiling here today. And it’s expected to build the new cars that will run along the tracks here two years from now.

These are the first streetcars to be manufactured in America in nearly 60 years. Yes, manufactured in America. Darn right, I'm excited.

This is a new opportunity to claim the “made in America” label. And, a chance to generate good-paying jobs in the Portland region.

So, I'm looking forward to touring the Oregon Ironworks plant later today. And riding some highly-regarded public transportation.

Not sure if there will be time enough to take a streetcar, light rail, and bus, but I'm glad for the opportunity to visit a community with a range of transportation options—from highways to bike paths to streetcars—that link home, and work, and recreation, just as Portland does.

Governor Kulongoski and Congressmen Blumenaur, DeFazio, Schrader, and Wu are happy to show off their city's transportation network, and they should be.