2012-2016 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program.

PDFTech ReportState departments of transportationTransportation policyIowaIowa. Dept. of TransportationIowa. Dept. of TransportationUS Transportation Collection"The Iowa Transportation Improvement Program (Program) is published to informIowans of planned investments in our state\ue2\u20ac\u2122s transportation system.The Iowa Transportation Commission (Commission) and Iowa Department ofTransportation (Iowa DOT) are committed to programming those investments in afiscally responsible manner.This document reflects Iowa\ue2\u20ac\u2122s multimodal transportation system by the inclusion ofinvestments in aviation, transit, railroads, trails, and highways. A major component ofthis program is the highway section that documents programmed investments on theprimary highway system for the next five years.A large part of funding available for highway programming comes from the federalgovernment. Accurately estimating future federal funding levels is dependent on havinga current enacted multi-year federal transportation authorization. The most recentauthorization, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacyfor Users (SAFETEA-LU), expired September 30, 2009, and to date it has beenextended seven times because a new authorization has not yet been enacted. Thecurrent extension will expire September 30, 2011. This leads to significant uncertaintyin federal funding; however, it is becoming evident that, in Federal Fiscal Year 2012and beyond, federal funding revenue will likely be reduced by 25 percent from currentlevels in order to match revenue that flows into the Highway Trust Fund. This Programreflects this anticipated reduction in federal funding.While Iowa law does not require the adoption of a Program when federaltransportation funding is being reauthorized, the Commission believes it is important toadopt a Program in order to continue on-going planning and project development effortsso that Iowa will be well positioned when a new authorization is adopted. However, it isimportant to recognize that, absent a federal authorization bill, there is significantuncertainty in the forecast of federal revenues. The Commission and the Iowa DOT willcontinue to monitor federal revenues and will adjust future investments as needed tomaintain a fiscally responsible Program.For 2012-2016, approximately $2.3 billion is forecast to be available for highway right ofway and construction. In developing the highway section of the Program, theCommission\ue2\u20ac\u2122s primary investment objective remains stewardship (i.e. safety,maintenance and preservation) of Iowa\ue2\u20ac\u2122s existing highway system. Over $1.3 billionis programmed in FY2012 through FY2016 for preservation of Iowa\ue2\u20ac\u2122s existing highwaysystem and for enhanced highway safety features. The highway section also includessignificant interstate investments on I-29 in Sioux City, I-29/80/480 in Council Bluffs,and I-74 in Bettendorf/Davenport. The FY2016 programming for construction on I-74in Bettendorf/Davenport is the first of several years of significant investments that willbe monitored for available funding. Approximately $200 million of the investmentson these three major urban interstate projects address preservation needs. In total,approximately $1.5 billion is programmed for highway preservation activities for 2012-2016.Another highway programming objective is maintaining the scheduled completion ofcapacity and economic development projects. Projects that were previously scheduledto be completed within the previous Program continue on their current schedule.However, due to the reduction of projected federal revenues, the Commission hasdelayed by one year the initiation of construction of all multi-year non-Interstatecapacity and economic development projects that cannot be completed within thisProgram. These projects are U.S. 20 in Woodbury County, U.S. 30 in Benton County,U.S. 61 in Louisa County, and Iowa 100 in Linn County.The Iowa DOT and Commission appreciate the public\ue2\u20ac\u2122s involvement in the state\ue2\u20ac\u2122stransportation planning process. Comments received personally, by letter or throughparticipation in the Commission\ue2\u20ac\u2122s regular meetings or public input meetings held aroundthe state each year, are invaluable in providing guidance for the future of Iowa\ue2\u20ac\u2122stransportation system.It should be noted that this document is a planning guide. It does not represent abinding commitment or obligation of the Commission or Iowa DOT, and is subject tochange.You are invited to visit the Iowa DOT\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Web site at iowadot.gov for additional andregular updates about the department\ue2\u20ac\u2122s programs and activities.