The Iowa Transportation Commission approved record spending Tuesday on the state’s primary highways over the next five years.
The plan, discussed at a meeting, is highlighted by $3.2 billion for fiscal 2016-20 on highway construction and right-of-way acquisition. The five-year plan is 20 percent larger than the $2.7 billion 2015-19 plan approved last June.
“It is a very balanced approach,” said Commissioner Dan Huber of Davenport. “There’s a significant increase in stewardship. We will be able to do a significant amount of work on existing roads and bridges. We’ve been able to maintain the expansion projects that have been in prior plans, and add some key projects, included Highway 20, 30 and 61.”
The passage of a 10-cent gas tax increase is expected to create an extra $501 million over five years, which explains the large increase.
The key components of the plan include $1.1 billion for state-owned bridges, $1.3 billion to modernize and improve safety on the existing highway system, and $364 million for widening highway corridors, including highways 20, 30 and 61.
Key figures from the plan include:
• 96 bridge replacements at $831 million
• 1,757 miles of roadway work
• $234 million investment in Linn County
• $103 million investment in Johnson County.
The plan also continues to support several previously added major projects, including the Highway 100 extension in Linn County, improvements on Interstate 29 in Sioux City, the interstate system in Council Bluffs, the Interstate 74 Mississippi River bridge replacement in Bettendorf, and the replacement of the I-380/I-80 interchange in Johnson County.
The plan is contingent on $307 million in federal funding per year, which remains uncertain.
Federal assistance is expected to account for nearly half, or $1.5 billion, of the DOT five-year plan from 2016-20.
Last month, Congress voted to authorize funding the Highway Trust Fund, which is the source of the federal money. The funding was set to expire May 31, but now is authorized through July 31.
The fund has repeatedly been at risk of running dry in recent years, but Congress has extended funding, often in the eleventh hour.
Stuart Anderson, the DOT director for the planning, programming and modal division, said most expect Congress to take action again, but there are no guarantees, which makes it difficult to plan. Iowa DOT takes a conservative approach to federal funding projections, but Iowa will continue to schedule work as if the money will come through, he said.
“This will be a little more challenging for Congress to extend beyond two more months,” Anderson said. “Congress didn’t have to identify additional revenue for the July 31 deadline, but they will to extend it further.”
http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-commission-approves-32b-highway-plan-20150609
The plan, discussed at a meeting, is highlighted by $3.2 billion for fiscal 2016-20 on highway construction and right-of-way acquisition. The five-year plan is 20 percent larger than the $2.7 billion 2015-19 plan approved last June.
“It is a very balanced approach,” said Commissioner Dan Huber of Davenport. “There’s a significant increase in stewardship. We will be able to do a significant amount of work on existing roads and bridges. We’ve been able to maintain the expansion projects that have been in prior plans, and add some key projects, included Highway 20, 30 and 61.”
The passage of a 10-cent gas tax increase is expected to create an extra $501 million over five years, which explains the large increase.
The key components of the plan include $1.1 billion for state-owned bridges, $1.3 billion to modernize and improve safety on the existing highway system, and $364 million for widening highway corridors, including highways 20, 30 and 61.
Key figures from the plan include:
• 96 bridge replacements at $831 million
• 1,757 miles of roadway work
• $234 million investment in Linn County
• $103 million investment in Johnson County.
The plan also continues to support several previously added major projects, including the Highway 100 extension in Linn County, improvements on Interstate 29 in Sioux City, the interstate system in Council Bluffs, the Interstate 74 Mississippi River bridge replacement in Bettendorf, and the replacement of the I-380/I-80 interchange in Johnson County.
The plan is contingent on $307 million in federal funding per year, which remains uncertain.
Federal assistance is expected to account for nearly half, or $1.5 billion, of the DOT five-year plan from 2016-20.
Last month, Congress voted to authorize funding the Highway Trust Fund, which is the source of the federal money. The funding was set to expire May 31, but now is authorized through July 31.
The fund has repeatedly been at risk of running dry in recent years, but Congress has extended funding, often in the eleventh hour.
Stuart Anderson, the DOT director for the planning, programming and modal division, said most expect Congress to take action again, but there are no guarantees, which makes it difficult to plan. Iowa DOT takes a conservative approach to federal funding projections, but Iowa will continue to schedule work as if the money will come through, he said.
“This will be a little more challenging for Congress to extend beyond two more months,” Anderson said. “Congress didn’t have to identify additional revenue for the July 31 deadline, but they will to extend it further.”
http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-commission-approves-32b-highway-plan-20150609
