Landmark Legislation Focuses on a Balanced, Sustainable Future

In the brief time since President Bill Clinton signed the new Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (nicknamed TEA-21), two facts are very apparent. First, TEA-21 is the largest transportation legislation ever enacted. And second, TEA-21 will be very good for the country and the region if the authorized funding levels are actually provided.

DVRPC, as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Delaware Valley, plays an important role in the overall context of TEA-21. The core requirements established by ISTEA (the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, the previous federal legislation) are still intact, with the emphasis on transportation planning in conjunction with state and local officials, and transit operators. DVRPC will be responsible for interacting with all groups to ensure the best possible linkage between transportation improvements, land use, and the environment. One of the key changes concerning planning in the new legislation is the consolidation of the 16 metropolitan and 23 statewide planning factors into seven broad areas to be considered in the planning process, both at the metropolitan and statewide level. And, once again public involvement will play a major role in all planning aspects.

The most obvious result of TEA-21 is the money -- lots of it! The legislation promises more than $218 billion for transportation over the next six years and guarantees that most of that money (about $198 billion) will be appropriated. Under TEA-21, guaranteed highway funding levels are linked to Highway Trust Fund revenues which are restricted to only eligible highway programs. Likewise, TEA-21 guarantees a fixed amount to transit each year from the Trust Fund and restricts those funds to only eligible transit programs. Funding above these guaranteed levels will have to compete with other programs in the federal budget.

As a result of the higher levels in TEA-21, many states will see huge jumps in highway spending, among them Pennsylvania, and to a lesser degree, New Jersey. The Pennsylvania share of TEA-21 highway funding amounts to about $1.322 billion annually. This represents 5% of the national total and is about $400 million more than the last year of ISTEA. In New Jersey, TEA-21 highway funding amounts to about $675 million as a six-year annual average, or 2.6% of national funding. This is about $150 million more per year than under ISTEA. It should be noted, however, that figures are six-year averages, with funding levels at their lowest in 1998 and increasing throughout the authorization period to 2003.

In addition to the increases in program funds apportioned to the states, TEA-21 also contains funding for 1,850 high priority projects specified by Congress. Funding for these projects totals $9.4 billion over the six years of the Act with a specified percentage made available each year. Pennsylvania and New Jersey both garnered a significant number of these projects, particularly in the DVRPC region. There are 186 projects in Pennsylvania totaling $800 million, of which 47 are in this region ($240 million). There are 47 projects in New Jersey totaling $290 million, of which 14 are in this region ($60 million).

TEA-21 preserves ISTEA's emphasis on a more balanced transportation system and on the environmental and social consequences of these investments. Additional funding is authorized for public transit, bicycle and pedestrian accessibility, and air quality initiatives. The goals of the legislation address increasing safety, ensuring a cleaner environment, rebuilding America's infrastructure, and providing a balanced approach to infrastructure investments. According to Rodney E. Slater, Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, "The bill embodies President Clinton's vision of an integrated transportation system helping to ensure Americans' prosperity and quality of life into the new century".

Specifically, health and safety will be addressed through programs to increase seat belt use, reduce crashes at highway-rail crossings, and fight drunk driving through incentives for states to adopt tough blood alcohol concentration standards. The legislation strengthens proven strategies to safeguard public health and the environment through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Transportation Enhancements. Expanded opportunities will be available for all Americans through new access-to-job programs, as well as through an effective Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. Record transportation investment is prescribed in a balanced approach through a guaranteed commitment to highways and bridges, public transit, intermodal projects, and advanced technologies, such as Intelligent Transportation Systems.

While TEA-21 provides the funding and framework for a balanced, sustainable future, DVRPC will work to carry out the ideals embodied in the intent of the law and that is to make sound decisions regarding the dollars that are entrusted to us for the betterment of this region.