Transportation funding tops agenda

If you haven't heard it yet, don't worry, you'll have plenty more opportunities to hear just how desperately Utah needs an infusion of public funds to finance transportation improvements.

The Wasatch Front Regional Council, Mountainlands Association of Governments, Envision Utah and the Utah Legislature's Transportation Planning Task Force all have made pronouncements to that effect in recent months.

Wednesday, it was local business leaders' turn to get an earful on the importance of transportation funding during the Salt Lake Chamber's "mobility summit" at the Little America Hotel.

"Our (transportation) needs are growing much faster than our ability to meet them," said Chamber president Lane Beattie, who was president of the Utah Senate in 1997 when lawmakers raised the state's per-gallon gasoline tax by 5 cents to fund the reconstruction of I-15 in Salt Lake County and other road projects.

"The current funding levels simply won't meet our transportation needs. . . . (and) transportation is the backbone of our economy and our quality of life."

According to information provided by the Chamber, the Wasatch Front's population grew 35 percent from 1990-2003. During that same time, travel grew 66 percent and highway capacity grew only about 12 percent.

Transportation planners say Utah is now playing catch-up, and expected population growth means congestion will continue to worsen even with adequate funding. But without it, both the state's roadways and its economy could come to a standstill.

Beattie said it will take "triple" the current funding levels to build all the road and transit infrastructure needed over the next 15-25 years. A total of $8 billion is needed by 2030, he said.

And while saying "We need to make sure the Legislature understands what the needs are," Beattie said the responsibility for deciding how and when to raise those funds cannot be left to the Legislature and governor alone — the business community must do its part.

"Simply put, it is time for action," Beattie said. "There is a lot to do. . . . It is an incredible opportunity."

Beattie said the top five transportation needs in the state, in order of priority, are the following:

• Reconstruction and widening of I-15 in Utah County and southern Salt Lake County.

• Expansion of I-15 in Davis and Weber County, and completion of the Legacy Parkway in southern Davis County.

• Construction of a commuter rail network between Brigham City and Payson.

• Construction of a major highway in the Mountain View Corridor (roughly 5600 West) on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, stretching into Utah County.

• Extension of the Utah Transit Authority's TRAX light-rail system in Salt Lake County.