Legislature must act on roads
POSTED: January 6, 2008
The dream of making U.S. Highway 20 a four-lane thoroughfare for the full length of its route across northern Iowa from Dubuque to Sioux City keeps inching closer to reality.
Finding the necessary money for that highway construction project and others remains an obstacle. Last year there seemed progress at the state Capitol in finding ways to fund the road building and enhancements so critical to the Hawkeye State’s economic growth. Unfortunately, however, the Legislature adjourned without finalizing a strategy.
That makes it doubly important that this critical issue be a top priority as legislators get back to work this month.
There seems to be a consensus that by 2015 — unless new state revenues are generated — Iowa will not have any money for new highway construction. All the state’s highway dollars would be needed to maintain existing roads after that year unless more funding can be developed.
A plan for generating new road funds has been proposed by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Called Transportation Investment Moves the Economy in the 21st Century — TIME-21, the plan would generate $200 million per year through increases in various fees. The state would get 60 percent of the money raised. Counties and cities would each receive 20 percent.
There may be options superior to the TIME-21 proposal, but it is a good starting point for discussion. The simple truth is that unless the revenue stream can be enriched, new highway construction in Iowa may grind to a halt. It is imperative that our representatives in Des Moines act promptly to prevent such a disastrous outcome.
Last year, leaders of the House Transportation Committee responded to the DOT initiative by attempting to develop a bipartisan highway construction funding plan. State Rep. David Tjepkes, R-Gowrie, the senior Republican on the committee, was a leader in that effort. In the end, however, legislators couldn’t reach agreement on an approach. That must not happen again this year.
As the new legislative session opens, it is critically important for Democrats and Republicans to work together to ensure that the highway construction necessary for Iowa’s future prosperity can proceed.
