Finding adequate, long-term transportation funding will not be an easy task, but it is one we must face. Currently, there are several groups working on transportation funding plans—a legislative task force, the Utah League of Cities and Towns, the Utah Transit Authority, metro planning organizations, the private sector, and others—but there needs to be more opportunity for these stakeholders to coordinate their efforts. These groups are considering a variety of possible funding sources, including leveraging federal grants, state bonding, and adjustments to the gas tax.

Immediately following the election, I will call for a Transportation Funding Forum that brings together all major stakeholders. I will ask this group to formulate a comprehensive funding plan that carefully considers all reasonable approaches to present to the 2005 legislative session.

Although the task will not be easy, we must confront the difficult choices that will shape our future. In many ways, transportation is the backbone of our economy and our quality of life. That's why we must plan today to ensure a desirable tomorrow.

I also support the following measures to help fund Utah's transportation projects:

— Creating Public/Private Partnerships that Can Reduce Government Expenditures on transportation projects without reducing the quality of the product. States across the country are experimenting with innovative methods for building and maintaining roadways. Washington, Arizona, and Michigan, among others, have found use of performance-based warranties an efficient way to build and maintain roads. These agreements give private contractors flexibility in how to complete a transportation project, but in exchange require the contractor to meet overall specifications and provide a long-term warranty for the work.

— Employing Design-Build and Incentive Contracting. Design-build contracts assign both the design and construction responsibilities to a single firm, and also allow some construction to ensue before the design is completed. By employing this method, UDOT was able to complete reconstruction of I-15 under budget and three months ahead of schedule. This method reduces administrative costs of state highway agencies, can reduce or eliminate claims resulting from errors during construction, and allows builders flexibility in selecting innovative designs and construction techniques. Design-build contracting and performance-based warranties can also be combined with incentive contracts, which speed road construction by penalizing contractors who finish projects late and reward those who complete them ahead of schedule.