Transportation Reform: the People's Business

Lane closed ahead, entering construction zone, build more superhighways. 

Why does the Highway Trust Fund mandate that we build unneeded and unwanted super highways? Why can't our existing roads and bridges be maintained? Why can't some of our citizens get to school, jobs or healthcare services? How many billions of tax dollars are being spent to pave more and more?

In North Carolina, new road construction projects outpace the badly needed repairs to our existing highway infrastructure and hinder the use of new, more convenient, accessible and affordable forms of transportation. This is because decisions about transportation have too often been made by the Highway Lobby of road builders, boosters and developers, who have been abetted by staff in the Department of Transportation and supported by members of the General Assembly. 

But like all governmental decisions shouldn't such important decisions be the people's business, as Lincoln said, "by the people, for the people." 

One of the basic tenets for changing how transportation decisions are made is to involve members of the community and local governments in the decision-making process. This requires more equitable and consistent opportunities for public participation in how transportation dollars are used. 

Too often in the past, community members and elected officials were typically left out of the process. Local governments have the responsibility for the health and safety of their citizens. Through an open and public process, they often have long-term plans on how they want to grow. Plans are too often distorted by unwanted highway plans, communities are split, inner cities are ignored. Highways too often go to private resorts and shopping centers. That's not what's in our best interest.

It is time-consuming, and sometimes messy, to insure that all voices get heard. What is important is that we should be able to get to our jobs, our children should be able to get to their schools safely, and all of us should be able to get to the services we need. New highway construction cannot be the only answer.

John Runkle
for the Conservation Council of NC, a member of the Citizens for Transportation Alternatives