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Utah House approves $377-million-plus transportation package to prioritize regional road projects
Summary
The House passed House Bill 377 March 5, 2013, sending $135 million to a Transportation Investment Fund, creating a $20 million infrastructure loan fund, reducing bond authorization by about $55 million, and allocating $50 million to Salt Lake County projects; final House vote was 72–1.
House members approved a broad transportation funding package March 5 that sponsors said balances statewide needs, creates a short-term loan tool for Utah Department of Transportation projects and channels money to locally prioritized efforts.
Representative D, sponsor of House Bill 377, told colleagues the bill reduces state bond authorization by about $55,000,000 for critical highway funds, authorizes $135,000,000 for the Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) and capitalizes a $20,000,000 infrastructure loan fund that would allow UDOT to lend on short-term bases and be repaid within five years. He said roughly $220,000,000 in expenditures were authorized in the bill, with $50,000,000 earmarked for the county of the first class (Salt Lake County) for several regional projects.
The sponsor described the prioritization process as regional: projects are placed on a step plan and prioritized through councils of governments (COGs) and then the Transportation Commission, with projects from across the state — Box Elder, Cache, Weber, Davis, Utah County and southern Utah — competing for funds. He said many typical projects funded by the bill are on the order of $4–6 million.
Representatives sought and received clarifications about transit spending in the bill. Representative Briscoe asked about a roughly $2.9 million line item for the Utah Transit Authority to conduct a 'circulator study'; the sponsor explained the study would evaluate bus circulator routing, scheduling, mountain transit needs and ways to reduce canyon auto traffic and pollution. Other members asked how the Transportation Commission would prioritize projects; the sponsor described coordination with local COGs and upward movement on prioritized lists.
Several lawmakers, including Representatives Byrd, Johnny Anderson, Segers and Paulson, urged passage and praised the negotiation with local governments and the Senate. In summation the sponsor said the bill addresses statewide needs and roads of regional significance in the Salt Lake Valley.
Voting was opened and closed on the floor; House Bill 377 passed the House by a recorded vote of 72 yes, 1 no and will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
