Articles About CA State Government Project Failures Follow:
http://www.tripnet.org/state/Los_Angeles_PR_121709.pdf
For immediate release Contact: Carolyn Bonifas (703)-801-9212 (cell)Thursday, December 17, 2009 Frank Moretti (202) 262-0714 (cell)Report available at:www.tripnet.orgDEFICIENT ROADWAYS COST LOS ANGELES DRIVERS NEARLY $2,500ANNUALLY, $40 BILLION STATEWIDE. WITHOUT A RELIABLE,SIGNIFICANT BOOST IN FUNDING, TRANSPORTATION WOES WILLWORSEN
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DS
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THE REPORT INLCUDES A LIST OF NEEDED PROJECTS THAT REMAIN UNFUNDED
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INCLUDING PROJECTS TO REPAIR ROADS AND BRIDGES
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ADD CAPACITY TO CONGESTED ROADWAYS AND IMPROVE SAFETY
Los Angeles, California –
Roads, bridges and transit systems that are deficient, congested orlack desirable safety features cost the average Los Angeles motorist a total of $2,462 eachyear, a total of $40 billion statewide, due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes andcongestion-related delays. An increased investment in transportation improvements at thestate and federal level could relieve traffic congestion, improve road, bridge and transitconditions, boost safety and support long-term economic growth in California, according to anew report released today by TRIP, a Washington, DC based national transportationorganization.
Despite the short-term boost provided by the federal stimulus program, California facesan annual surface transportation funding shortfall of $10.9 billion. While the state willhave $1.5 billion available this year to make needed roadway improvements andrehabilitate bridges and major roadways, this figure is far outstripped by the estimated$5.5 billion in annual transportation funding needs. Current transit needs are $8.6 billionannually, while transit funding is $1.7 billion a year.“We are short upwards of $10 billion annually to meet our transportation needs,” saidTransportation California Executive Director Mark Watts. “This report shows that ourfailure to close this transportation investment deficit is costing us nearly four times thatmuch.”
The TRIP report, “Future Mobility in California: The Condition, Use and Funding of California’s Roads, Bridges and Transit System,” finds that Los Angeles roads are theroughest in the nation, with 92 percent of major roads in the metro area in poor or mediocrecondition. Among the most deteriorated roads in the Los Angeles area are Highland Avenuefrom Santa Monica Boulevard to Franklin Avenue in Los Angeles, and Route 5 from BeachBoulevard to the Los Angeles County Line in Buena Park.A total of one-third of Los Angeles area bridges and overpasses are structurally deficient orfunctionally obsolete. Bridges in the Los Angeles area with the lowest sufficiency ratinginclude Santa Anita Avenue over Rio Hondo in El Monte, and The Old Road over the SantaClara River in Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles drivers also continue to endure the worst congestion in the nation, with 81percent of major roadways experiencing significant rush hour delays, costing the average LosAngeles motorist 70 hours per year stuck in traffic. And, traffic crashes claimed the lives of 874 people on Los Angeles roads in 2008. Where appropriate, highway improvements canreduce traffic fatalities and crashes while improving traffic flow to help relieve congestion.Public transit is an important component of the region’s transportation system, carrying 2.9billion passenger miles of travel in 2007, an increase of 16 percent since 2002.
With an unemployment rate of 12.5 percent - the fourth highest in the nation - and withthe state’s population continuing to grow, California must improve its system of roads,highways, bridges and public transit to foster economic growth, create jobs, avoidbusiness relocations, and ensure the safe, reliable mobility needed to improve the qualityof life for all Californians.
The federal surface transportation program, which expires tomorrow, remains a criticalsource of funding for road and bridge repairs and transit improvements in California. Withthe current program set to expire, Congress will need to authorize a new federal surfacetransportation program or extend the current program to allow federal transportation dollarsto continue to flow to the state.“It is critical that the state adequately fund its transportation system and that Congressproduces a timely and adequately funded federal surface transportation program. Thousandsof jobs and the state’s economy are riding on it,” said Will Wilkins, executive director of TRIP.
California’s estimated $3.6 billion in stimulus funding is allowing the state to make someneeded rehabilitation and improvement to its road, bridge and public transit systems, butthis one-time funding boost will not enable the state to proceed with numerous projectsneeded to modernize its surface transportation system. Even with the aid of stimulusfunding, California still faces a sizeable, on-going transportation funding shortfall.Making needed repairs to the state’s transportation system can help boost California’seconomy. A 2007 analysis by the Federal Highway Administration found that every $1billion invested in highway construction would support approximately 27,800 jobs,including approximately 9,500 in the construction sector, approximately 4,300 jobs inindustries supporting the construction sector, and approximately 14,000 other jobsinduced in non-construction related sectors of the economy.On-the-NET:http://www.tripnet.org/
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http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr09/yr09rel165.aspDecember 15, 2009Contact: Ioannis KazanisE-mail: communications@cde.ca.govPhone: 916-319-0818
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Calls forNew School Bond at School Facilities Hearing
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell testified today at ahearing held by the Senate Select Committee on School Facilities. At the hearing he cited theneed for a new school bond to meet the needs of California students in the 21st century."We speak often about preparing our children for the future, but achieving this goal will onlyincrease in difficulty if our kids continue to learn in schools of the past," O'Connell said. "It isessential that we transition our schools from the old industrial model to the age of information andgreen technology, which frankly is where students today are already living."O'Connell highlighted the need for additional school facilities funding by citing that Californiacurrently needs $9.7 billion to modernize school facilities and $200 million for career technicaleducation facilities projects."There is an obvious need to improve school facilities throughout California, and we cannot affordto wait to meet this need," O'Connell continued. "I fully appreciate that we are still embroiled in anational economic downturn, but a school facilities bond would do much to further our long-termgoal of creating a competitive workforce in California, as well as achieving the short-term goal ofcreating jobs and getting people back to work."Improving school facilities also goes hand in hand with increasing student achievement andclosing California's persistent achievement gaps. Quality school facilities are a key to creating anenvironment in which all children can learn the skills necessary to become informed citizens andcompete in the 21st century global economy."We absolutely must seek to create and maintain clean, safe, and sustainable school facilitiesthat are centers of their communities and not overcrowded. We must also construct attractivefood service centers to encourage kids to eat healthy meals. These are all critical components inour efforts to ensure that all children in our state have the same opportunities for high-qualitylearning and a shot at future success."# # # #Jack O'Connell — State Superintendent of Public InstructionCommunications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100---------
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091223/us_nm/us_states_pension_liabilities_1
U.S. local government pension costs exceeds$530 billion: govern
Wed Dec 23, 5:43 pm ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. state and local governments face more than $530 billion inunfunded public pension liabilities and most do not have funds set aside to pay for them, agovernment report showed on Wednesday.
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CA Large Project Failures Articles
A collection of articles from leading California newspapers that document the failure of "capital intensive" government-managed projects over the past twenty years in California.
Given these failures, the question of how California government can possibly manage the High Speed Rail project is called into question.
Given these failures, the question of how California government can possibly manage the High Speed Rail project is called into question.
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