Toledo/Lucas & Wood Counties Transportation Coalition

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1 Toledo/Lucas & Wood Counties Transportation Coalition

2 Toledo/Lucas & Wood Counties Transportation Coalition The Transportation Coalition is a collaborative effort of these organizations: The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) Transportation Advocacy Group of Northwest Ohio (TAGNO) The Toledo Trucking Association (TTA) The Ohio Contractors Association - Toledo Chapter (OCA) Northwest Ohio Mayors and Managers Association (NOMMA) The Wood County Engineer s Office The Lucas County Engineer s Office The City of Toledo The Northwest Ohio Regional Economic Development (NORED) Organization The University of Toledo Development of the Legislative Agenda was coordinated by the: Transportation Council of TMACOG

3 OVERVIEW The Crisis in Transportation Funding Organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan are united in our desire to press ahead with the development of a multi-modal transportation system that will be a world-class asset for our region. As we develop these plans, our projections show that funding is in crisis. With current projections, funding will not even be adequate for maintenance of over-taxed systems. Even as trucking, rail, transit and other interests lay out ambitious but well-planned logistics projects, it is clear that addressing the funding structure is our biggest challenge. The facts are clear. In 2004, there was a 10 percent inflation in construction costs: petroleum, steel, and cement. In 2005, we endured another 10 percent raise. The projection is for continued rise in these expenses. As costs increase exponentially, sources of funding are imperiled. Experts agree that the national Highway Trust Fund cannot sustain the level of investment authorized in Some reports project that the highway account of the trust fund will have a negative balance as early as A gasoline tax that remains tied to volume and not to cost - either of fuel or of transportation construction - further ensures a deficiency. Ohio Department of Transportation, Office of Estimating (2005) We know that traffic on all modes will only increase. And in our region, we know that the business of moving goods has the potential to replace manufacturing jobs that are lost forever. We are determined to preserve jobs, ensure safety, and deliver prosperity through an integrated, multi-modal system of transportation and logistics. Funding challenges must be addressed at every level local, state, and federal. The issue of funding is one area where the legislature will make the difference in our regional success. This guide describes issues that are of strategic importance to our area and upon which area transportation advocates have consensus. We welcome dialog with the 110th Congress and the 127th General Assembly as decisions are made that will affect our region. 1.

4 The Lake Erie West Global Logistics Hub Area transportation stakeholders are agreed on the need for a cohesive vision and coordinated action that will realize the region s potential. We know that this area has the potential to be a 21st-century transportation, logistics and supply chain center for global sourcing. The Lake Erie West Global Logistics Hub is our vision. The Hub encompasses four major transportation complexes all focused on transportation services, distribution, and value-added operations that take advantage of the unique intermodal terminals in our area and their proximity to each other. The map below shows the four major elements of our regional center: the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park (with air cargo, rail accessibility, and direct Ohio Turnpike access for triple truck trailers); the Golden Triangle Distribution Corridor (with rail accessibility and access to strategic north-south and east-west interstate highways serving all of eastern North America); the Trans-Pacific Inland Port (with direct three-day rail access to uncongested ports in Vancouver and Prince Rupert); and the Toledo Seaport (with direct water access to Saint Lawrence Seaway and European ports). Elements of the Lake Erie West Global Logistics Hub To realize the potential of the center concept, the coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Support any necessary legislative and regulatory changes to create a region-wide, multi-state Transportation District or Authority to coordinate logistics development in the region. Level the playing field for development of the Lake Erie West Global Logistics Hub by extending the selective tax shelter established for Rickenbacker Airport to all Foreign Trade Zones in Ohio including the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park and the other complexes. 2.

5 The Lake Erie West Global Logistics Hub Toledo Express Global Logistics Park The Toledo Express Global Logistics Park consists of separate air, rail, and turnpike triple trailer intermodal terminal facilities, with surrounding campus areas for future development. The map below shows this area. The Toledo Express Global Logistics Park To support growth of the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park, the Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Ensure that the Ohio Job Ready Sites program can be used for logistics parks and support the application for funding to complete necessary road and infrastructure improvements in the terminal and campus area of the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park. Support direct access to the Ohio Turnpike for logistics park access roads for triple trailer access. Provide a portion of the funding needed to construct private logistics park access roads (with grade separation from public streets) to allow direct triple trailer access to all terminals and campuses of the park. Support a public-private partnership for construction of the rail intermodal terminal. Support funding for runway and other improvements to increase the airside capacity of Toledo Express when logistics operations expand beyond its current capacity. Support cooperative development efforts and target incentives and infrastructure investment to further foster development of the region as a logistics center. 3.

6 Streets and Highway Transportation The Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Address inflation of transportation construction costs by putting in place mechanisms that adjust federal and state transportation taxes to a construction price index. Support efforts at federal, state and local levels to address the funding crisis in transportation in Ohio and find new funding mechanisms at the state level to support increased investment in transportation. Support appropriations at the federal level that fully fund SAFETEA-LU the federal transportation law. Support efforts to address the funding crisis in transportation in the United States and find new funding mechanisms at the federal level to support increased investment in transportation as the federal highway trust fund begins to encounter negative balances. Oppose efforts to suspend the federal or state gas tax, no matter how temporarily. Eliminating funding for transportation does not address the causes of higher fuel prices. And providing transportation infrastructure is a core function of government, essential for provision of public services and all economic activity. Actively support efforts to complete projects funded in the construction programs of northwest Ohio ODOT district offices, in TMACOG s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and in other federal and state programs to ensure that highway and transit dollars allocated to the area are used in a timely fashion. Work together to develop regional level funding to support transportation investment in our region and clear state and federal obstacles to cooperative efforts to develop local funding. Support expeditious implementation of the Jobs and Progress Plan for major investments including construction of all the projects included in the northwest Ohio portion of that plan and support TRAC in proposed development of the Northwest Ohio Freight Corridors plan. Continue to support and pursue timely completion of the following upgrades/improvements to Ohio Macro Corridors that are scheduled for construction or design: U.S. 24 Improvements - Fort to Port. State Route 2 Super 2 - from east of Curtice Road to Camp Perry. U.S. 20 widening - from SR 420 to Woodville. I-475/Salisbury/Dussel Interchange upgrade. Actively pursue (through the Ohio Jobs and Progress Plan, and at the federal level) upgrades/improvements to Ohio macro corridors serving the northwest Ohio area: 4.

7 All three phases of the I-75/I-475 systems interchange upgrade in central Toledo ( Jeep Split ) and related improvements to local arterials including Cherry Street. Projects in Lucas County resulting from ODOT s I-475/U.S. 23 Upgrade Study including I-475/U.S. 23 widening from U.S. 24 to Alexis Road, reconfiguring the I-475/U.S. 23 systems interchange and nearby Central Avenue interchange and building new interchanges at U.S. 20A and in the Dorr/Hill area. Projects in Wood County resulting from ODOT s I-475/U.S. 23 Upgrade Study including reconfiguring the I-475/I-75 systems interchange and nearby SR 25 interchange. I-75 widening from Phillips to I-280. I-75 widening and improvements in Downtown Toledo from SR 25 to Detroit Avenue. I-475 widening/improvements from Corey Road to Douglas Road. Support highway related improvements for the proposed Toledo Express Global Logistics Park focused on the area surrounding Toledo Express Airport. This area contains a unique and extremely valuable array of transportation assets including direct access to the Ohio Turnpike interchange for Toledo Express Airport (with access for full-size triple trailer trucks that are permitted only on the turnpike), the high speed Norfolk Southern main line, and the large terminal and expanded apron area of Toledo Express Airport. We need support for the Job Ready Sites application to the Ohio Department of Development for the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park. Support creation of a customs pre-screening center in Lucas or Monroe counties to allow trucks to be cleared for the border crossing into Canada and electronically secured to cross the border without stopping at the very congested existing customs stations. Continue to support and pursue timely completion of the following rail highway grade separation projects that are scheduled for construction or design: Tiffin Avenue crossing of the CSX Transportation (CSX) line in Fostoria; Township Road 43 crossing of the CSX line in Seneca County near Fostoria; Jones Road crossing of the CSX line in Fostoria; Oregon Road crossing of the CSX line in Wood County; Wales Road eastern-most crossings of the CSX and NS lines in Northwood; Hallet Avenue crossing of the NS line in Swanton; and, Hire Road/SR 281 crossing of the CSX line in Defiance County. Seek additional funding to implement the Rail Highway Grade Separation Program projects that are in development including the following area projects: Summit Street crossing of the CSX line in Toledo. McCord Road crossing of the Norfolk Southern (NS) line in Lucas County. Support additional funding for intermodal highway connector development and improvement. 5.

8 Rail Transportation The Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Develop and support federal and state rail infrastructure legislation: To develop a comprehensive national-level multi-modal transportation policy and funding mechanism. These steps will allow investment in rail improvements to increase the efficiency of the rail system for freight and passenger movement; To fund and create a rail infrastructure trust fund for the public portion of partnerships with private rail companies; and, To improve efficient and effective collaborative planning and project delivery. Successfully conclude negotiations with CSX Transportation and purchase the Westside Corridor portion of the former Toledo Terminal Railroad for its potential role in the Toledo Science and Technology Corridor and as a multi-use path. Support the request for funding for a programmatic environmental impact statement as the next step in implementing the Ohio & Lake Erie Regional Rail - Ohio Hub Study initiative. Include the Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit and the Toledo-Columbus corridors as high priorities. Support efforts to expand services at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza Amtrak station to transform it into a full multi-modal transportation center including intercity bus operations (Greyhound) and a direct public transportation connection to the heart of downtown Toledo as the locally preferred alternative of the Regional Core Circulator Study. Implement TMACOG s strategy: Sustainable Business Strategy for National Passenger Rail which details improvements related to passenger rail to: A) clarify federal responsibility and oversight; B) fund needed rail infrastructure partnerships; and, C) develop public funding mechanisms. These all support continuation of a national passenger rail service, support of multi-state rail initiatives, and increased passenger service through northwest Ohio. Fund and implement the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative with the Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland corridor as a high priority. Promote efforts to preserve the right of way of other abandoned rail lines for future uses. 6.

9 Public Transportation The Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Establish a bi-partisan state legislative commission to develop ways to create a reliable, dedicated, and sufficient funding stream to increase support of public transit in Ohio to levels comparable to surrounding states and to at least match federal transit funding. Support funding for an alternatives analysis study to initiate a public transit system to serve the Toledo Science and Technology Corridor (a scientific neighborhood of several major research and technology institutions in west Toledo and the greater region) and to serve as a working laboratory to create new ideas in transportation. Support funding for construction and the request to proceed with preliminary engineering for the locally preferred alternative improvements resulting from the Regional Core Circulator Study for redevelopment in downtown Toledo. Support efforts to fund and operate public transit that serves all of the greater Toledo metropolitan area including all of Lucas, Wood, and portions of surrounding counties. Support full federal funding for public transportation at the guaranteed SAFETEA-LU levels Support continued funding of the CommuterLINK Program including Job Access Reverse Commute funds for our area. Broaden exemptions allowed under the Federal Transit Administration s regulations regarding charters to allow transit authorities to provide service to community-based groups. Support efforts to build a new paratransit facility at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza for TARTA s Toledo Area Regional Paratransit Service (TARPS) in support of efforts to expand transportation services available at the plaza. 7.

10 Water Transportation The Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Support efforts to develop short sea shipping in the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes to move freight by water as an alternative to overland hauling via rail or truck. Shipping routes in the Great Lakes and along the coast of the U.S. are substantially underutilized. This is an opportunity to move freight off of congested highways and rail corridors and on to water. Specifically we are seeking: Revisions to the Harbor Maintenance Tax to encourage short sea shipping while providing funding for necessary navigation improvements; Funding for development of facilities at the Port of Toledo for roll on/roll off ships; Development of customs and homeland security capabilities related to container moves out of the Port of Toledo. Annually appropriate sufficient funds (currently estimated at $10 million/year) for the dredging of Toledo harbor and the disposal of dredge spoils, including the creation of new capacity in existing confined disposal facilities and/or the beneficial reuse of the dredge spoils elsewhere. Extend the shipping season on the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes to the full year to allow development of shipping to serve the northern coast of the United States. Eliminate regulatory and other barriers to instituting multi-national shipping arrangements on the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes. Encourage the governments of the United States and Canada to modernize and expand the infrastructure of the St. Lawrence Seaway System including investments and maintenance schedules to allow yearround shipping. Promote the merging of the U.S. and Canadian seaway organizations into a bi-national agency to operate the seaway. Obtain funding for the Ohio Port Assistance Grant Program in the State Biennial budget. Provide funding and other support for the construction and equipping of the proposed Toledo Shipyard High Bay Facility that will restore the shipyard s shipbuilding capability. Support seaport-specific federal funding dedicated to the upgrading and modernization of U.S. seaports infrastructure. 8.

11 Air Transportation The Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Support the improvements related to development of the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park near Toledo Express Airport as outlined previously in the Lake Erie West Global Logistics Center section of this agenda. Support with funding, regulatory clearances, etc., the recommendations of the Airport Master Plan for Toledo Express Airport as updated by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority including: Extending the north-south runway to improve capacity at the Toledo Express Airport. An extension will allow the north-south runway during times of heavy cross winds or high volume of take-offs and landings to handle aircraft of comparable size and type as those handled by the main east-west runway. Relocating U.S. 20A to accommodate the north-south runway extension. Construction of ring and inter-terminal non-public roads to link various terminals in the Toledo Express Global Logistics Park (see the Lake Erie West Global Logistics Hub section of this agenda for more information). Securing funding to reserve property and plan for further expansion of the capacity of the airport to cope with anticipated freight activity growth. Replace the 50-year-old, outdated control tower at Toledo Express Airport to improve safety and increase capacity. Support the request for $22 million to reconfigure the passenger terminal at Toledo Express Airport to accommodate the operations and aircraft of today s aviation environment. The Port Authority will pursue funding for this project through Federal Aviation Administration and/or Transportation Security Administration. Support funding for Toledo Express Airport from the Small Community Air Service Development Program to expand air service to our community. Assist in efforts to provide Toledo Express Airport with 24-hour customs to take advantage of international cargo and passenger customs clearance primarily into and out of Canada. Toledo s location and convenience would provide international air traffic with seamless opportunities to fuel and clear customs, which would continue to promote both commercial and general aviation activity for our fixed base operators (FBO s) and other tenants. 9.

12 Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation The Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Encourage state and local transportation designers to include pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the development of all area street and bridge projects as appropriate. Commend the Ohio Department of Transportation for the new policy on inclusion of pedestrian and bikeway facilities in ODOT projects, and support/encourage its strong implementation. Support efforts to reinstate the ODOT statewide bicycle trail enhancement funding program policy that allowed MPO area jurisdictions to compete for these funds for bikeway facilities that are integral elements of a statewide trail system (policy was changed to exclude applications from jurisdictions within MPO areas). Successfully conclude negotiations with CSX Transportation and purchase the Westside Corridor portion of the former Toledo Terminal Railroad for its potential role in the Toledo Science and Technology Corridor and as a multi-use path. Support increasing funding for transportation enhancements (bikeways, pedestrian facilities, streetscaping, and historic transportation facilities) in the federal reauthorization. Support continued state and federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities including: Rehabilitation or replacement of the abandoned CSX Rail Bridge near the Ohio Turnpike as part of the Westside Corridor trail efforts. Funding sufficient to create a signed network of bicycle-friendly street routes and multi-purpose paths to enable citizens to use bicycles as real transportation. Funding needed to create a complete system of sidewalks and paths, with curb cuts and other pedestrian facilities serving elderly and disabled needs, with safe student access to schools, and safe public access to major facilities. Support northwest Ohio bikeway applications to the Recreational Trails and Clean Ohio Trails Funds: Perrysburg Municipal Park Recreational Trail (both funds) City of Toledo Recreational Trails (Recreational Trails fund) Toledo Area Metroparks Bend View Towpath (Recreational Trails fund) Toledo Area Metroparks Side Cut Towpath improvements (Clean Ohio Trails fund) Support continued full funding of the Clean Ohio Fund program including the Trails Fund. 10.

13 Intermodal Transportation Institute (ITI): The ITI began in January 2002 with a mission to provide research, education and training, and planning and technical assistance to develop and maintain technology-enabled, efficient, secure, and environmentally sound transportation systems, supply chains, and logistic processes. In 2005, with the support of area transportation agencies, government, and private industry, the ITI was successful in securing a U.S. DOT University Transportation Center (UTC), which the University of Toledo (UT) will lead and which will include Bowling Green State University and Wayne State University. This UTC has $2 million in funding over four years to support research in (1) alternate energy for transportation, (2) supply chain management, and (3) infrastructure utilization. In addition, UT and its partners are part of a second UTC that includes the University of Detroit Mercy and Grand Valley State University that is funded in the same manner. Funding for the UTC is expected in late summer of To support further growth and development the Coalition requests state and federal legislators to: Fund the feasibility study and design for the Metropolitan Utility Link for Transportation to Industry for Freight (MULTI-F). MULTI-F moves freight between suppliers and manufacturers on a just-in-time basis in an urban setting without using city streets or expressways. Fund the feasibility study, design, and concept demonstration for the KACI Intermodal System. KACI is an operational concept that provides a quick, inexpensive, and uniquely simple exchange of highway vehicles on and off trains. Support designation of UT and a consortium of other Ohio universities as a Wright Center for Innovation in the area of hybrid vehicles including plug-in electric (PHEV) and hydraulic hybrids. A PHEV increases the range of the battery-powered vehicle by combining batteries and inexpensive plugin power. Hydraulic Hybrids provide the acceleration power needed by large vehicles. Support state approval and seed funding of a Master of Science degree of Global Supply Chain Management to develop a graduate program that will educate future managers. Seek designation in the next federal transportation reauthorization of the ITI as an International University Transportation Center. This would be a new category of Center to engage in research and education in supply chain management through international partnerships and working with the International Cargo Handling and Coordination Association. 11.

14 Intermodal Transportation Institute For more information please contact Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments 300 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive P.O. Box 9508 Toledo, Ohio