Pending highway legislation : hearings before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Second Congress, first session on S. 823 and S. 965 ... May 13 and 14, 1991

528 Pages·1991·17.8 MB·English

by  United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works

S. Hrg. 102-142
PENDING HIGHWAY LEGISLATION
HEARINGS
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COMMITTEE ON
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ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SECOND CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
S. 823 and Si 965 Ob^f
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PENDING HIGHWAY LEGISLATION
MAY AND
13 14, 1991
Printed for the use of the Committee on Environment and Public Works

S. Hrg. 102-142
PENDING HIGHWAY LEGISUTION
HEARINGS
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON
ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SECOND CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
S. 823 and S. 965
PENDING HIGHWAY LEGISLATION
MAY AND
13 14, 1991
Printed for the use of the Committee on Environment and Public Works
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
43-084ti WASHINGTON : 1991
ForsalebytheU.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice
SuperintendentofDocuments,CongressionalSalesOffice,Washington,DC 20402
ISBN 0-16-035410-2
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
QUENTIN N. BURDICK, North Dakota, Chairman
DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN, New York JOHN H. CHAFEE, Rhode Island
GEORGE J. MITCHELL, Maine ALAN K. SIMPSON, Wyoming
MAX BAUCUS, Montana STEVE SYMMS, Idaho
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey DAVE DURENBERGER, Minnesota
HARRY REID, Nevada JOHN W. WARNER, Virginia
BOB GRAHAM, Florida JAMES M. JEFFORDS, Vermont
JHOOSWEAPRHDI.ML.IMEBEETRZMEANNB,AUCoMn,necOthiicout ROBERT SMITH, New Hampshire
HARRIS WOFFORD, Pennsylvania
David M. Strauss, StaffDirector
Steven J. Shimberg, Minority StaffDirector and ChiefCounsel
(II)
CONTENTS
Monday, May 13, 1991
OPENING STATEMENTS
Page
Burdick, Hon. Quentin N., U.S. Senator from the State ofNorth Dakota 1
Chafee, Hon. John H., U.S. Senator from the State ofRhode Island 1
Lautenberg, Hon. Frank R., U.S. Senator from the State ofNewJersey 3
Moynihan, Hon. Daniel Patrick, U.S. Senator from the StateofNew York 7
Simpson, Hon. Alan K., U.S. Senator from the State ofWyoming 15
Symms, Hon. Steve, U.S. Senator from the StateofIdaho 4
WITNESSES
Bensberg, Jim, Washington Representative, American Motorcyclist Associa-
tion 38
Prepared statement 104
Berentsen, Duane, Secretary, Washington DepartmentofTransportation 54
Prepared statement 125
Bryan, Hon. Richard H., U.S. Senator from the State ofNevada 44
Prepared statement 113
Burns, Hon. Conrad, U.S. Senator from the State ofMontana 48
Claybrook, Joan, Cochair, Citizens for Responsible and Safe Highways 18
Letter to SenatorChafee 25
Prepared statement 87
Cooper, Hon. Jim, a Representative in Congress from the StateofTennessee... 5
DDiolnloerh,ueD,onT,hSoemcarestaJr.,y,PrWeysiodmeintn,gADmeeprairctamnenTtruocfkiHnigghAwsasoycsiations '. 5116
Prepared statement : 84
Durham, R.V., Director, Freight Division, International Brotherhood ofTeam-
sters 20
Prepared statement 92
Dull, Garth, Director, Nevada DepartmentofTransportation 52
Prepared statement 123
Findlay, Eugene, Secretary, Utah Department ofTransportation 55
Gambaccini, Louis, President, Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority 36
Prepared statement 96
Howard, Hon. Richard, Secretary, South Dakota Department of Transporta-
tion 47
Preparedstatement 115
Hoyt, Tim, Director ofSafety, Natiortwide Insurance 40
Prepared statement 105
Morgan, Richard D., vice president. National Asphalt Pavement Association... 41
Prepared statement 110
Naylor, Mike, Director, Air Pollution Control Division 69
Parker, George L., Associate Administrator for Research and Development,
National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration 7
Peterson, Eugene, Director, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, National
Association ofGovernors' Highway Safety Representatives 37
Prepared statement 98
Pressler, Hon. Larry, U.S. Senator from the StateofSouth Dakota 15
Rentschler, Hon. Jack, State Representative, South Dakota 68
Prepared statement 126
Rothwell, John Jr., Director, Montana Department ofHighways 49
(III)
IV
— Page
Rothwell, John Jr., Director, Montana Department of Highways Continued
Prepared statement 122
WiUiams, Allan S., Vice president for Research, Insurance Institute for High-
way Safety 21
Prepared statement 94
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
Bills:
S. 823 130
S. 965 163
Statements:
Daschle, Hon. Tom, U.S. Senator from the State ofSouth Dakota 81
Dixon, Hon. Alan J., U.S. Senator from the State ofIllinois 82
Simon, Hon. Paul, U.S. Senator from the State ofIllinois 82
Tuesday, May 14, 1991
OPENING STATEMENTS
Burdick, Hon. Quentin N., U.S. Senator from the State ofNorth Dakota 267
Chafee, Hon. John H., U.S. Senator from the StateofRhode Island 267
Moynihan, Hon. Daniel Patrick, U.S. Senator from the State ofNew York 277
Warner, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from the Commonwealth ofVirginia 268
WITNESSES
Anderson, James A., President, Anderson Brothers Construction Company 320
Prepared statement 422
Archer, John, Managing Director, American Automobile Association 323
Prepared statement 428
Bond, Hon. Christopher Bond, U.S. Senator from the StateofMissouri 269
Boyd, Hon. Allan S., Secretary forTransportation, 1966-1968 309
Prepared statement 373
Cole, Thomas, President, Rubber Manufacturers Association 332
Cranston, Hon. Allan, U..S. Senator from the State ofCalifornia 270
Desjardins, Robert, Senior Vice President, Cianbro Company 322
Prepared statement 423
Downs, Hon. Thomas, Commissioner, New Jersey Department ofTransporta-
tion 297
Prepared statement 364
Garahan, Hon. Patrick, Secretary, Vermont AgencyforTransportation 294
Prepared statement 353
Gilstrap, Jack R., Executive Vice President, American Public Transit Associa-
tion 315
Prepared statement 387
Hassell, Hon. John, Federal Highway Administrator, 1979-1981 329
Hobeika, Tony, Director, Center for Transportation Research, Virginia Poly-
technic Institute 333
Prepared statement 451
Kiebert, Hon. Kermit, Commissioner, Idaho DepartmentofTransportation 299
Prepared statement 367
Krupp, Fred, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund 316
Prepared statement 400
Lamm, Lester P., President, Highway Users Federation 325
Prepared statement 436
Lanford, J.C., Chairman, American Road and Transportation Builders Asso-
ciation 319
Prepared statement 405
Larson, Hon. Thomas D., Administrator, Federal Highway Administration 281
Prepared statement 338
Mack, Hon. Connie, U.S. Senator from the State ofFlorida 274
Prepared statement 276
Mead, Kenneth, Director, Transportation Issues, Resources, Community, and
Economic Development Division, U.S. General AccountingOffice 331
Prepared statement 445
Myrick, Hon. Sue, Mayor, Charlotte, NC 310
Prepared statement 375
V
Page
Pound, William T., Executive Director, National Conference ofState Legisla-
tors 314
Prepared statement 379
Rives, Hal, President, American Association ofState Highway and Transpor-
tation Officials 293
Prepared statement 341
Stockwell, Hon. Harriet, Deputy Mayor, El Cajon, CA 312
Prepared statement 377
Watts, Hon. Ben, Secretary, Florida DepartmentofTransportation 296
Prepared statement 359
Williams, Carl, Assistant Director, California Department ofTransportation ... 300
Prepared statement 370
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
Letters:
METRO to Hon. Daniel Patrick Moynihan 467
The National Industrial Transportation League to Hon. Quentin N. Bur-
dick 492
Travel and Tourism Government Affairs Council to Hon. Quentin N.
Burdick 515
Statements:
American Traffic Safety Services Association 473
Brown, Peter N., President, FourSeasons Group, Inc 490
Dempsey, William H., President, Association ofAmerican Railroads 479
Eisenhart, Earl B., Vice President for Government Affairs, National Pri-
vate Truck Council 493
FriNedO,WBruce M., Executive Director, America's Coalition for Transit
510
Grasso, Thomas V., National Wildlife Federation 505
International Snowmobile Industry Association 491
Kirk,Joseph P., Mon Valley Progress Council 497
Levin, Hon. Carl, U.S. Senator from the State ofMichigan 281
Mulzer, Kenneth D., National Stone Association 498
National Resources Defense Council 505
Nielsen, Mary, Transportation Chairman for W.I.F.E 516
Riehle, MayorJames F., City ofLafayette, Indiana 469
Stromberg, Erick, President, American Association ofPort Authorities 471
Voinovich, Hon. George, Governor, State ofOhio 453
Wilkinson, Governor Wallace G., Chairman, Committee on Transporta-
tion, Commerce, and Communications, National Governors' Association 454
Zah, Peterson, Presidentofthe Navajo Nation 508

PENDING HIGHWAY LEGISLATION
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Environment and Public Works,
Washington, DC.
The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:00 a.m. in room 406,
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Quentin N. Burdick [chair-
man ofthe committee] presiding.
Present: Senators Burdick, Chafee, Symms, Simpson, Pressler,
Lautenberg, Baucus, Moynihan, and Reid.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. QUENTIN N. BURDICK, U.S.
SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
Senator Burdick. This morning the Committee on Environment
and PubKc Works begins two days of hearings on pending highway
legislation, S. 965, the Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of
1991, which was introduced in April. This bill was developed after
extensive field hearings held across the country. Introduced by Sen-
ator Moynihan, it is cosponsored by myself and Senators Symms,
Chafee, and Lautenberg.
The committee will also hear testimony on S. 823, sponsored by
Senators Reid and Baucus and nine other members representing
western States. This bill addresses specific needs of rural areas in
the west.
Passage of a highway bill is one of the major priorities of this
Congress. The President urged the Congress to complete action on
legislation by September 30th. We hope to report a bill by the end
ofthis month. The goal ofthis committee is to have comprehensive,
multi-year legislation passed by the Senate well before the Septem-
A
ber 30th deadline. sound, integrated transportation system is es-
sential to this Nation.
Our witness list this morning is extensive. At this point I ask my
colleagues if they would like to present statements, and we will
then proceed.
Senator Chafee.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN H. CHAFEE, U.S. SENATOR
FROM THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Senator Chafee. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First, I want to say I am glad we are holding these hearings. I
must say, it isn't very often that you see a hearing begin at 9:00
o'clock in the morning on a Monday. But if you look at the list, I
note that we have 19 witnesses today, and Representative Cooper is
(1)
here today instead of tomorrow, so that will make 20. So, we've got
a big program this morning. I will ask that my statement be in the
record.
There is one thing I would like to say. The name of the legisla-
tion is the Surface Transportation Act. It's not the "Highway Bill."
We're going to have a lot of testimony from truckers and others,
who are going to say, "This is our money; we deserve it; it should
go to us," but we're looking at this as a program to provide surface
transportation for American citizens, and that could mean automo-
biles; it could mean subways; it could mean commuter trains; it
could mean buses; it could even mean bicycles. And indeed there is
some money that could be set aside here for bicycle trails under
this.
So I hope we will keep that before us as we go through this legis-
lation, Mr. Chairman, and I thank you very much for holding this
hearing.
Thank
you.
[Senator Chafee's statement follows:]
Opening Statement of Hon. John H. Chafee, U.S. Senator From the Stateof
Rhode Island
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased tojoin with you in holding hearings on proposed leg-
islation dealingwith surface transportation.
On April 25, Senator Moynihan introduced S. 965, the "Surface Transportation
Efficiency Act of 1991". I am very happy to be a cosponsor ofthat bill because it is
landmark legislation which recognizes the importance of a coordinated surface
transportation program in this country. Highways are important for the economy
and mobility ofthis country, but they cannot solve all our transportation problems.
Cities and States need flexibility to decide what the best solution is for their trans-
portation problems. S. 965gives the States that flexibility.
While the construction ofthe Interstate System is virtually complete, the need to
maintain it in good condition is an ongoing and important need. S. 965 recognizes
this and provides a significant amount of money to assure that the Interstate
System is maintained.
In addition to the Interstate System, there are other highways that are also of
national significance, particularly on the Primary System. These roads are not only
important nationally, but are also critical for a strong economy within the States. S.
965 provides States with the resources to maintain and improve these roads as well.
I am confident that the States will give high priority to these important roads.
Transportation facilities are not built in a vacuum. They affect our air, water,
neighborhoods, and way of life. Because of the major impact they have, good plan-
ning is very important. S. 965 strengthens the planning process. It ensures that
those who are affected by transportation problems will have a significant role in the
decisionmaking process. This is particularly important for those cities which are in
nonattainment under the Clean Air Act. Good planning takes a lot of work and
sometimes a lot oftime. But, in the end, the efforts ofgood planningwill be reward-
ed with abetter project.
There are many good things in S. 965 which I will not take the time to list, but I
do want to highlight the safety belt and motorcycle helmet provision that is particu-
larly important to me. This will have a positive, and in some cases life-saving, effect
on the safety of people using the highway system. Last week the California State
legislature passed a motorcycle helmet bill which is on the way to Governor Wilson
for his signature. He was an original cosponsor ofthe safety belt/motorcycle helmet
bill when it was introduced in the last session ofCongress. I commend him and the
State ofCalifornia for this law.
We will also have several witnesses testifying on the subject ofthe use ofrecycled
tires in asphalt. Used tires have become a major problem and the highway program
provides a promising way to dispose of some of these old tires. On May 9, I intro-
duced S. 1038 which addresses this issue and I look forward to the comments ofour
witnesses.