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Toward a National Infrastructure Plan for the 21st Century

Robert D. Yaro, PresidentRegional Plan Association

Forum on InfrastructurePhiladelphiaJune 9 2009

2Global climate change and foreign oil dependence

Rapid population growth and demographic change

International trade and rising goods movement

Changing spatial development patterns, rising congestion, infrastructure needs

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Why Megaregions?

• Challenges occur at scale greater than metropolitan region

• Compete with global integration zones

• Foster agglomeration economies at the megaregion scale

• Act as building blocks to a national plan

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Megaregion Forums to Set Priorities

Sacramento, Dec 2, 2008

Chicago, November 17, 2008

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Megaregion Priorities: Building Blocks of a National Plan

•High-speed rail

•Seaports, airports, and goods movement

•Energy transmission and generation

•Water infrastructure and protection

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Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility

• Coalition of chambers of commerce, civic organizations

• Focus on Amtrak authorization and appropriations

• Advocacy for NE interests in surface transportation bill

Union Station Press Conference Oct 2008

Northeast Summit Mar 2007Reception in U.S. Capitol Apr 2008

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A New Era of Rail Investment

• Rail Safety and Enhancement Act 0f 2008 - Authorizes $13 billion over 5 years

• American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009 - Appropriates:

• $8 billion in HSR

• $1.3 billion to Amtrak

• President’s budget proposal:

• $5 billion in HSR Grants over 5 years

• Infrastructure bank of $5/yr for 5 years

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Vision : Dense Hubs connected by high-speed transport

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A Tradition of National Planning

Gallatin Plan 1808 Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot 1908

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National Resources Planning Board and the Interstate

System

National System of Interstate Highways, Public Roads Administration, 1947

Early interstate plan, from “Toll Roads and Free Roads,” National Resources Planning Board and Bureau of Public Roads, 1939

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Intercity Passenger Network

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Diagnostic National Freight Map

Freight Network

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Promoting key expansion projects– Trans-Hudson Passenger and Freight Tunnels– 2nd Avenue Subway and East Side Access – Moynihan Station– #7 Subway Extension

Transportation finance– 2009 MTA Finance Package: $2.6b in new annual

support for operating and capital budgets• .033% Regional mobility tax / payroll tax

Metro New York Transportation Investments

and Financing

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www.America2050.org

www.rpa.org