FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky freight shipments are currently among the nation’s highest and are expected to increase by nearly two-thirds in the coming years. However, without adequate infrastructure funding for needed transportation improvements, Kentucky’s continued economic growth could be at risk. Kentucky’s freight system currently moves more than $578 billion worth of freight each year, the 14th highest rate in the nation. By 2045, freight moved annually in Kentucky by trucks alone is expected to increase 65% by value (inflation-adjusted dollars), according to a report by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. TRIP’s report, which examines projected and current freight movement across America, credited the increased demand in freight transportation to economic growth, changing business and retail models, an increased reliance of … Read More
Kentucky freight shipments among highest in U.S., Truck travel on Kentucky rural interstates among heaviest in nation. Inadequate investment, advances in vehicle autonomy, manufacturing, warehousing and E-Commerce place unprecedented demands on U.S. freight system
Eds: This report’s appendixcontains data for all 50 states for the following categories: value of freight shipped to and from the state, projected increase in freight shipment by 2045, fatalities in large truck involved crashes, fatalities among large truck occupants and non-occupants, and combination truck share of vehicle miles of travel. Click herefor infographics. Washington, D.C. – The ability of the nation’s freight transportation system to efficiently and safely accommodate the growing demand for freight movement could be hampered by inadequate transportation capacity, institutional barriers to enhancing the nation’s freight facilities, a lack of adequate funding for needed improvements to the freight network, and a shortage of drivers, according to a new report released today by TRIP, a national transportation … Read More
Op-Ed: Time to Invest in Kentucky’s Infrastructure
From the River City News: Reliable transportation is key to any successful economy. Business leaders are keenly aware of this fact. If you’re waiting on a critical shipment, want your employees to arrive on time, or if you’re running to catch a flight at CVG, you need reliable transportation. You’ll hear business groups talk about large companies impacted by transportation issues: places like Amazon, DHL, Kroger, etc. But from my perspective, it’s the small businesses that are impacted most when transportation is not reliable. After all, of the 7,400 businesses in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, 93 percent are 49 employees or less. Consider a small Florence based HVAC repair business with eight employees. If two of their employees are … Read More
From NKY Tribune: KYTC Secretary tells Kenton Fiscal Court gasoline tax increase needed to raise revenue
From the Northern Kentucky Tribune: By David Holthaus NKyTribune reporter There’s talk of hiking Kentucky’s gasoline tax and the head of transportation in the Commonwealth says he’s all for it. Greg Thomas, secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, told Kenton County leaders Tuesday that the state tax on gas needs to go up in order to keep up with the maintenance of tens of thousands of miles of roads around Kentucky. Sec. Thomas “It’s a dire need,” he told the Kenton County Fiscal Court. “There is some momentum and we stand ready to support it.” Gov. Matt Bevin has publicly raised the issue of more funding for roads and bridges in Kentucky. Kentucky’s funding for infrastructure and road projects comes … Read More
2019 Kentucky Infrastructure Report Card
2019 Report Card GPA: C- Kentucky’s infrastructure is everywhere around you and you use it every day. The interconnected system of roads and bridges, drinking water, sewer systems, dams and levees, aviation, solid waste, and energy are all critical to our success. We have become accustomed to these systems quietly supporting our ability to work and play. However, in 2019, our infrastructure networks are aging and struggling to perform as necessary. Infrastructure deteriorates as it ages, and it must be repaired or replaced when it exceeds its useful life. The effects of time, weather, and increased use from a growing population are impacting the quality of the infrastructure in our state. Looking ahead, there are opportunities for Kentucky to invest not only in the infrastructure in need … Read More
From ARTBA: Strong Bipartisan Support for Broad Infrastructure Initiative
From ARTBA, American Road & Transportation Builders Association (WASHINGTON)—While a new national poll shows “almost 90 percent believe “the Democratic leadership and President Trump should work together during 2019 to pass legislation that would improve other infrastructure.” The poll was conducted January 23-24 by Rasmussen Reports for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, Inc. The margin of sampling error for the poll is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence. Support for work this year on a broader, bipartisan infrastructure bill was expressed by 88 percent of both Republican and Democrat likely voters and 84 … Read More
From WLEX: Infrastructure In Kentucky
Rep. Sal Santoro talks with WLEX about the significant need for increased transportation infrastructure funding to keep Kentucky from falling further behind.
From the Dayton Daily News: Ohio out of money for new road projects, prompting talk of gas tax hike
From the Dayton Daily News: By Laura A. Bischoff Richard Wilson, Columbus Bureau Within weeks, new Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and state lawmakers will face a huge challenge that impacts every Ohioan every day: how to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for road and bridge building and maintenance projects. Former governor John Kasich opted to issue $1.5 billion in bonds against future tolls collected by the Ohio Turnpike Commission to generate cash for construction projects. But that money, which started flowing in 2014, runs out later this year. Fix Our Roads Ohio, a broad-based coalition that includes chambers of commerce and local government groups, is making the case for increasing the state gas tax for … Read More
From WDRB: POV | Are Better Roads Worth an Extra Dime a Gallon?
It is probably safe to say that no taxpayer is looking for more taxes to pay. It’s also safe to say that state roads, highways and bridges are not in as good shape as any of us would like. Lower gas prices and more fuel efficient vehicles have hurt the state road fund which gets a percentage of every gallon of gas sold. In a story on WDRB.com, Marcus Green and Sara Sidery, tell us the Kentucky State Legislature is now looking to increase the tax on gas by 10 cents a gallon. Just like you, I don’t like paying more taxes, but I also recognize that the road fairy isn’t coming to the rescue. We can either pay a … Read More