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| Oberstar revives mileage-based tax |
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April 29, 2009
Los Angeles Times
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| Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, took the February 2009 findings of a congressionally mandated commission — which recommended a vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) tax to replace gasoline taxes in the coming transportation bill — a step further, saying at a House hearing Tuesday that a VMT tax could be implemented in two years. This is a bold move by the chairman for a few reasons: First, the commission recommended a phased launch, with full VMT integration targeted for 2020; second, a mileage-based tax is a divisive proposition already pooh-poohed by the White House. In theory, a VMT tax system would utilize an on-board GPS to tabulate miles traveled and calculate the taxes a driver owes. The rationale for the paradigm shift revolves around the failure of gasoline taxation — which is not indexed to inflation and susceptible to fluctuations in gas prices — to properly fund the Highway Trust Fund. |
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| Oberstar sticking to Sept. 30 deadline for new surface transportation bill |
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April 24, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
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| Speaking at a press conference organized by AASHTO and the APTA, Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, held fast to two deadlines in re-authorization process: getting a new surface-transportation bill in front of the House by June 1, 2009, and gaining a green light from Congress by Sept. 30, 2009. |
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| Video preview of PBS documentary Blueprint America: Road to the Future |
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April 24, 2009
PBS
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| According to the PBS website, the host of this documentary goes to three American cities and "examines the steps our country must take to keep our nation competitive in a global economy, while addressing the realities of climate change, diminishing natural resources and population growth." Premieres May 20, 2009. (VIDEO) |
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| Twin Cities has strong, bus-only shoulders |
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April 24, 2009
Environmental Defense Fund
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| As part of its Reinventing Transit Report, the Environmental Defense Fund highlighted case studies of successful "transportation solutions." The report included a look at bus-only shoulder lanes in Minneapolis-St.Paul. On top of the safety improvements and reductions in congestion, bus-only shoulder lanes "provide a steady stream of local construction/maintenance projects. (VIDEO) |
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| Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge converted to a walkway |
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April 24, 2009
The New York Times
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| Engineer Peter Melewski calls the conversion of the 6,700-foot-long, 212-foot-high historic bridge over the Hudson River "a once in a lifetimes project." But, as with most bridge rehabs, the project has been far from challenge-free. |
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