Key to the discussion over local road funding is this often neglected fact: Even if the new tax is approved by voters, it will make only a small dent in the large and growing local infrastructure deficit.  We will still have to make tough choices about our transportation spending priorities.  So while the two-thirds support for a sales tax grabs the headlines, another of the survey’s findings may be even more important: Humboldt County voters overwhelmingly believe that fixing and maintaining local roads is the most important goal, while support for expanding the system – widening roads and bridges or building new roads – is extremely low.  Local policymakers should take note.

From the Times-Standard:

“‘Voters want a local source of funding to address transportation issues, but are not overwhelmingly confident funds from a local sales tax would be spent well,’ [pollster Miranda] Everett told the [HCAOG] board. The board has estimated the proposed tax would bring in $200 million over its 20-year lifespan.”

Read the full article here.

Residents want transportation revenue spent on maintaining the roads we already have.  From the Times-Standard:

“…According to the poll, which was conducted by private firm, FM3, “fixing potholes” garnered the largest support among the array of road improvements proposed in the survey…”

Read the full article here.

Barbara Kennedy in the Times-Standard:

“It may be time to consider limits on unbridled growth rather than limits on dollars allocated to infrastructure repair. … There is no sense in building roads that cannot be maintained.”

Read the full letter here.

A recent vote by the California Transportation Commission will provide funding for several North Coast projects, including part of Eureka’s waterfront trail.  Find the statewide project list here (scroll all the way to the bottom to the find the trail project).

Read the Caltrans press release here.

Lower gas tax revenue is already starting to hit home here on the North Coast.  From the Times-Standard:

“If approved the $2.5 million will cover just 1 percent of deferred maintenance on the 1,207 total miles of county roads, of which between 1,000 and 1,100 miles need work, Humboldt County Public Works Director Tom Mattson said.”

Read the full article here.

With gas tax revenues already in steep decline due to lower gas prices, and infrastructure funds already feeling the pinch, the state tax board yesterday lowered the gas tax.  This is just one more indication that transportation officials must start to get serious about prioritization.  The first order of business on the North Coast should be abandoning the outdated, oversize STAA truck access projects in favor of funding only true needs – such as a permanent fix at Last Chance Grade.

From the Sacramento Bee:

“…So the board voted 3-2 to lower the tax to 27.8 cents per gallon for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2017.  That move would reduce the amount of money going to roads and mass transit programs by about $328 million next year….

California Department of Transportation Director Malcolm Dougherty said in a statement that the consecutive decreases will reduce transportation funding by three-quarters of a billion dollars over the next five years and may delay projects….”