Comments on: Stimulus Bill Is a Step Forward for Pedestrians, Cyclists & Cities http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/02/18/stimulus-bill-is-a-step-forward-for-pedestrians-cyclists-cities/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:49:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Michelle Ernst http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/02/18/stimulus-bill-is-a-step-forward-for-pedestrians-cyclists-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-63373 Michelle Ernst Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:05:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5492#comment-63373 JB, incidentally, the Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse is a great resource on the program and publishes a fantastic analysis on how the money is spent. You can find it here: http://www.enhancements.org/download/Spending_Report/TE_Spending_Report_FY07.pdf JB, incidentally, the Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse is a great resource on the program and publishes a fantastic analysis on how the money is spent. You can find it here: http://www.enhancements.org/download/Spending_Report/TE_Spending_Report_FY07.pdf

]]> By: Michelle Ernst http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/02/18/stimulus-bill-is-a-step-forward-for-pedestrians-cyclists-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-63372 Michelle Ernst Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:04:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5492#comment-63372 JB, good question. There are 12 different project types eligible for TE funds, including things like, "transportation museums" and "scenic highways." Nationally, almost half of TE funds are used for bike/ped facilities. But a big chunk is used for landscaping too. And certainly, some states are more inclined to spend the funds on the more highway-oriented eligible activities. Even so, TE remains the biggest federal source of bike/ped funding. A second problem with the TE program has been that states have under-obligated the funds. Right now the cumulative obligation rate for the program is 80.1%. This isn't bad, but other programs like the National Highway System program are obligated at closer to 95%. When the obligation rate falls below 90%, it means that the state isn't prioritizing spending from that program, and is instead shifting obligation authority to other programs. That's one reason I'm excited about the stimulus bill. Because there is no obligation ceiling, the state's won't have the ability to shift the funding around. So they'll have to spend all of the TE funds on TE projects, or lose the money. JB, good question. There are 12 different project types eligible for TE funds, including things like, "transportation museums" and "scenic highways." Nationally, almost half of TE funds are used for bike/ped facilities. But a big chunk is used for landscaping too. And certainly, some states are more inclined to spend the funds on the more highway-oriented eligible activities. Even so, TE remains the biggest federal source of bike/ped funding.

A second problem with the TE program has been that states have under-obligated the funds. Right now the cumulative obligation rate for the program is 80.1%. This isn't bad, but other programs like the National Highway System program are obligated at closer to 95%. When the obligation rate falls below 90%, it means that the state isn't prioritizing spending from that program, and is instead shifting obligation authority to other programs.

That's one reason I'm excited about the stimulus bill. Because there is no obligation ceiling, the state's won't have the ability to shift the funding around. So they'll have to spend all of the TE funds on TE projects, or lose the money.

]]> By: jb http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/02/18/stimulus-bill-is-a-step-forward-for-pedestrians-cyclists-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-63308 jb Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:39:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5492#comment-63308 There was never any evidence that the original 1.7 Percent actually did go to cycling and pedestrian use. In fact, there was a lot of talk about communities using the money for other things. Do you or Tri State have any numbers on how much of the targeted funds which were applied for and taken--were actually used for cyclists and ped projects? There was never any evidence that the original 1.7 Percent actually did go to cycling and pedestrian use. In fact, there was a lot of talk about communities using the money for other things. Do you or Tri State have any numbers on how much of the targeted funds which were applied for and taken--were actually used for cyclists and ped projects?

]]> By: Dave Reid http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/02/18/stimulus-bill-is-a-step-forward-for-pedestrians-cyclists-cities/comment-page-1/#comment-63223 Dave Reid Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:43:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5492#comment-63223 It's good to know that not all of the so called "highway" money is actually "highway" money and that some will be going towards biking and pedestrian improvements. It's good to know that not all of the so called "highway" money is actually "highway" money and that some will be going towards biking and pedestrian improvements.

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