Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee work on regional and local transportation strategies that affect the region’s trade competitiveness. Its activities include organizing briefings, conferences, and meetings with lawmakers to advocate for federal and regional funding of aviation, rail, marine, and road infrastructure projects.

Chair:

Vice-Chair:

Tom Zelenka, Legislative/Environmental/Public Affairs, The Schnitzer Group

Sam Ruda, Director, Marine Services, Port of Portland

Pacific Northwest International Trade Association

2003 Transportation Issues

Maintaining and enhancing the Pacific Northwest’s multi-modal transportation infrastructure is one of the greatest economic challenges facing the region. Improved efficiencies and cost effectiveness of freight and passenger transport systems are key to the region’s economic health and global competitiveness. By 2020, freight volumes within Oregon are projected to increase 20 percent.

PNITA supports a comprehensive and integrated cooperative regional approach to managing transportation issues, while integrating environmental concerns. Moreover, PNITA seeks to work with regional government and business stakeholders to stress the critical nature of viewing the various modes of transportation synergistically to meet the goal of supply chain efficiency, and develop policies accordingly.

Congress and the Oregon, Washington and Idaho legislatures will have the opportunity to address transportation projects and policies during 2003. Congress is expected to reauthorize federal surface transportation and aviation programs (TEA-21 and AIR-21), and the state legislatures are considering a series of transportation projects and financing. PNITA urges federal and state legislators to act on our recommendations.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Columbia River Channel Deepening: PNITA urges that the Lower Columbia River Channel be deepened from 40 to 43 feet to protect the global competitiveness of both regional and Mid-West products that rely on the Columbia River as a major trade artery. We seek congressional support for $20 million in the FY 2004 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. A 43-foot channel will preserve and enhance existing shipping and trade links between foreign companies and Pacific Northwest (PNW) importers and exporters who contribute to the region’s high standard of living. PNITA believes that deepening the channel, when combined with estuary restoration initiatives will produce an estuary that is in better environmental condition than exists today.

Surface Transportation Act in 2003 (TEA-21 Reauthorization): PNITA strongly supports the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21) which would allow for the funding of surface transportation programs. The reauthorization should significantly increase overall funding for highways, transit, rail, and other related transportation programs. Numerous Statewide highway projects are heavily dependent on receiving federal funds to make the necessary improvements to Oregon, Idaho and SW Washington infrastructure projects.

Oregon Bridge Repairs: The condition of Oregon bridges is rapidly deteriorating, and in some cases, has resulted in truck weight restrictions that inhibit the efficient movement of products. PNITA supports efforts to create strategies to fund necessary bridge repairs in the shortest timeframe possible. Since bridge repairs benefit the entire PNW, these strategies should be developed cooperatively by Oregon, California, Idaho, and Washington legislators.

I-5 and Trade Corridor: PNITA supports the implementation of the recommendations of the Portland-Vancouver I-5 Trade and Transportation Partnership as a comprehensive collaborative approach to reducing freight and passenger traffic congestion. Such congestion threatens the vital role that I-5 plays as an economic artery for PNW economies. Efficient freight movement remains an essential factor in maintaining the competitiveness of PNW products in global markets.

Interstate-205 Project: The Oregon Department of Transportation is requesting $1 million in FY2004 federal funding for preliminary engineering to add an extra lane in each direction of I-205 between Stafford Interchange and I-5. This request capitalizes on a planned $37 million preservation project on I-205 between the Willamette River and I-5, which is currently designed to put in temporary detour lanes that would be removed after preservation work is completed.

The FY2004 funding will be used to redesign the project and secure the necessary environmental approvals needed to add construction of permanent lanes to the existing preservation project. Federal funds, an estimated $8 million, will be requested in future appropriations to pay for the construction of the new lanes.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY OBJECTIVES

Ocean Carrier Service: PNITA strongly supports efforts to retain and expand direct call, ocean-going cargo service to lower Columbia River ports. Ocean shipping through the Columbia/Snake River system is the backbone of international trade for the PNW. The river system carried about $14 billion in cargo in 2001. In particular, the ability to attract and retain direct call ocean carriers hinges on a deeper channel and competitive port infrastructure, which includes adequate and efficient highway, intermodal and rail access. In the absence of such cargo service, manufacturers, businesses, farms, and ranches throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho will have to pay the overland cost of shipping their products to other West Coast ports. This additional expense will make those exporters less competitive in overseas markets.

In addition, global competition requires that targeted terminal improvements be undertaken as a means of reducing costs, such as new container cranes and on-dock rail improvements. Lower Columbia River ports should engage and work cooperatively with maritime labor unions to achieve the highest level of productivity possible so that more cargo will naturally flow to this region. Furthermore, priority needs to be given to attracting new import, export, and logistics-related business investments to the region, as well as retaining current businesses. A more efficient transportation infrastructure is a core element in this endeavor.

Aviation Service: PNITA believes Portland International Airport (PDX) is a key component of the region’s global competitiveness, providing essential access to destinations throughout the US and the world. In 2002, the Port of Portland and community members were successful in persuading Lufthansa, Air China Cargo, and Mexicana to provide non-stop passenger and cargo flights. PNITA encourages the business community to support these new services to ensure their success. PNITA will continue working with other members of the business and civic community to secure air service links to other important areas in Asia.

Supply Chain Security Measures: PNITA supports efforts to enhance realistic security measures but believes this must be done in ways that do not impede commercial trade. PNITA opposes any security measure that directly, or indirectly, distorts trade flows through a few major gateways. We support the US Government and US Customs efforts to protect our country from weapons of mass destruction that may be concealed in ocean containers, commercial aircraft, or truck. Specifically, we encourage all importers to be members of Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). We also endorse US Customs programs that call for advance cargo manifest information to be received prior to loading containers on-board vessels or prior to loading cargo on-board commercial aircraft or trucks transiting to the United States.

Rail Service: PNITA believes enhanced railroad services and the greater use of ocean containers on rail mode throughout the region could help address road traffic congestion on Oregon’s major highways, I-5 and I-84. We strongly believe that an enhanced railroad services network will mutually benefit the international and the domestic markets for transporting goods and increasing competitiveness. The development and implementation of a plan to maximize regional short-haul/short-line rail will improve and create an efficient multi-modal ground transportation system. With increased pressures to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, this strategy would provide shippers with a relatively inexpensive and effective option. PNITA urges that more attention be given to rail issues (short line, short haul, etc.) that currently hamper the competitiveness of exporters and importers in the PNW.