Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
DC Streetsblog

Tales From the Post-Earmark Era: Pork Won’t Hog the Transpo Money

We knew it could happen, people! There had to be a better way to distribute federal dollars than Congressional earmarks. The FHWA just announced that 11 programs, funded at a combined $422 million, will be making discretionary grants for innovative projects. "These grants will support projects that work to improve safety, maintain a state of good repair, and make communities more livable," the FHWA statement said. The money for most of those 11 programs used to be consumed almost entirely by earmarks.

false

The League of American Bicyclists is optimistic about these grants. "Bicycle and pedestrian projects are eligible for almost all federal-aid transportation programs," writes the League's Darren Flusche. He found potential for bike projects in some unlikely places, from the Ferry Boat program, which can grant money for bicycle racks, to the $98.5 million Public Lands Highways program, which, Flusche says, can fund pedestrian and bike projects that improve access to federal lands and facilities.

It's encouraging to see the government using a more thoughtful method of allocation for these pots of money that used to be allocated mostly through earmarks. It's a good sign that states and metro areas will have to compete to show that their projects are the most efficient and innovative -- it will no longer be enough just to be on your Congressman's good side.

There are many opportunities for advocates of transportation options to take advantage of these funds. Here's the full list of programs that will fund this new round of grants:

There are some unexpected opportunities to fund transit and active transportation projects from these programs.

The Transportation, Community, and System Preservation program seeks to "improve the efficiency of the transportation system, reduce environmental impacts of transportation, reduce the need for costly future public infrastructure investments, [and] ensure efficient access to jobs, services and centers of trade" -- all excellent selling points for transit and active transportation projects. Even Highways for LIFE, with its goal of funding "cost effective projects that improve safety and reduce congestion on a recurring basis," could fund some decidedly forward-thinking projects.

More significant than any of the individual projects these programs could fund, though, is the shift away from politicians' pet projects, funded as a way for Congressional leaders to buy members' votes (and for those members to buy constituents' votes), to transportation initiatives that can objectively demonstrate improved performance.

We've reported before that some good projects are funded by earmarks, and their elimination creates some uncertainty for the advocates and beneficiaries of those projects. However, as many have remarked lately, shifting to a more accountable system, where projects are funded based on merit and the outcomes of transportation investment are measured against specific objectives, is the key to getting the most value out of federal transportation dollars.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

July 2024 Metro Board Meeting: Ridership Up, Security Measures, LAX, and More

LAX station will open this November. Metro will expand security measures, from TAP-to-Exit to turnstile hardening. Plus more Metro action!

July 25, 2024

Covina to Begin Construction on Recreation Village

The new facility will be next to the Metrolink station and include a variety of opportunities for fitness and amusement

July 25, 2024

Incomplete Streets Part 2: in OC Caltrans Ignores Caltrans Policy on Bike and Pedestrian Needs

Caltrans has a policy requiring Complete Streets in its projects, but Caltrans Districts routinely ignore it

July 24, 2024
See all posts