million residents today. Based on the cur- rent 1.1 registered vehicles per citizen, that means another 18 million additional vehi- cles on Texas roads by 2040. According to the research firm IHS/Global Insight Transearch, 1.6 billion tons of freight moved through or within Texas via roads, rail, pipelines, ports and air in 2010 with 62 percent moved via trucks. The total freight tonnage moving through Texas is forecast- ed to double to more than 3.3 billion tons by 2040 with the portion moved via trucks growing to 66 percent. Proposition 1 will not solve the trans-
portation funding problem in Texas on its own. Experts say Texas has at least $5 bil- lion in unmet transportation needs each year. The expected $1.7 billion annually provided by Proposition 1 is a crucial con- tribution to meeting our state’s transporta- tion needs, and we will have to do more to address the problem of traffic congestion. The old ways of paying for roads have
not kept up with our state’s growing needs. A typical freeway interchange costs about $250 million. An overpass costs $5.8 mil-
lion per lane mile. Freeway widening costs $6.1 million per lane mile. As inflation, real estate costs, materials and construction costs increase over time, delaying construc- tion will inevitably drive costs even higher, increase traffic congestion, compromise safety and negatively impact our economy. Roads are expensive. But delaying
construction will ultimately cost more in dollars—and lives. Current transportation funding
sources are maxed out. The state tax on gasoline and diesel fuel is 20 cents per gal- lon. It hasn’t changed since 1991 and 5 cents of that goes to public schools. Trucks guzzle countless gallons of fuel every day making their deliveries, but increased fuel efficiencies for trucks and four-wheel vehi- cles that are good for the wallet and good for the environment have left the fuel tax lagging behind in its contribution to our highway budget. Cost-cutting is now commonplace at
the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), including privatizing computer services, refinancing debt, selling off 6,000
state vehicles and privatizing roadway maintenance in some parts of the state. TxDOT will need to continue to tighten its belt, but efficiencies alone won’t fill the gap in our road budget. Everyone reading this magazine has a
vested business interest in the success of Proposition 1. Beyond the trucking indus- try’s need for reliable highways, your cus- tomers, your employees and your families all deserve safe roads to get them home at night.
Proposition 1 is an important start.
More needs to be done so Texas roads keep pace with our fast-growing population, job- creation and economy, but this historic ini- tiative will certainly help move Texas for- ward.
Scott Haywood is the president of Move Texas Forward, an organization committed to improving Texas infrastructure and keeping our roads capable of supporting our prosperous state.
SPEED LIMITS. WEIGHT LIMITS. FUEL COSTS.
MORE NUMBERS ARE THE LAST THINGS A TRUCKING COMPANY NEEDS TO WORRY ABOUT.
More than 40 southeastern trucking and logistics companies rely on Bell & Company for expert accounting and financial advice. After all, we have unique firsthand trucking experience, and we’re dedicated to helping you grow your profits. How can we put our 150 years of combined experience to work for you? Call us today for a free consultation.
bellandcompany.net / 501.753.9700 Winter 2015 29
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