Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/10/2002 09:44 AM Senate FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 226(TRA)
"An Act requiring certain highway projects to be designed and
constructed so that the highways will adequately serve
anticipated traffic levels for at least the next 30 years; and
providing for an effective date."
This was the second hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Donley, sponsor, testified that the bill relates to the
"design life" of a planned road in urban areas, defined by traffic
engineers as the length of time the schematics of the road should
last. He explained this does not apply to the asphalt construction
but rather, for example, how long a left turn lane is operable
before increased traffic blocks the regular lanes. He expressed his
observations of roads in Anchorage and in other communities that
are no longer adequate for the amount of traffic traveling on them.
Co-Chair Donley indicated that federal law requires the geometry of
a major road project built utilizing federal funds must be
sufficient for "at least 20 years". He also learned that federal
law requires a 50-year design life for bridges. He added that
federal requirements for overall planning in metropolitan areas
request a design life of up to 23 years.
Co-Chair Donley, in describing the current situation, suggested
traffic counts could be incorrect and that the method for
determining the counts should be reassessed. He shared that he
questioned the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
on this matter and was first told that a designed road might not be
built for up to eight years and thus the actual design life is only
12 years, despite initially being designed to last 20 years. He
pointed out however, that once he introduced this legislation, the
Department informed him this was not the case. He surmised that
once construction begins, such issues as right-of-way or problems
with contractors cause the projects to be delayed beyond the
completion date estimated in the design life. He stated the intent
of this legislation is to avoid repeated reconstruction caused by
outdated designs. He spoke of the consequences of three-year delays
on smaller projects costing less than $1 million with a design life
of only ten years.
Co-Chair Donley referenced a letter from the Federal Highway
Administration [copy on file] indicating the agency does not oppose
this legislation and that it would have no impact on federal
funding.
Co-Chair Donley shared that he originally considered legislation to
require the design life of road projects to be 30 years, which he
pointed out is the maximum allowed in federal law. He indicated
the committee substitute proposes different design life
requirements dependant upon the cost of the project. He detailed
that a ten-year design life would be required for projects with a
cost of less than $1 million, a 20-year design life would be
required for project costing between $1 million and $5 million, and
a 25-year design life would be required for projects with a cost of
over $5 million.
Co-Chair Donley suggested extending the design life requirement to
20 years for the projects costing less than $1 million. He
justified this due to constant road construction occurring during
the short construction season in Anchorage for smaller upgrade
projects. He remarked that fewer road projects would be possible,
but that the public would benefit because there would be less need
for upgrades and roads would be fully operational for longer
periods of time.
Senator Ward commented that before this legislation was introduced,
he was unsure why roads did not last longer, because he assumed
such a process already was in place. He opined that roads in other
states operate longer.
Senator Ward assumed there would be some "strain" on smaller
projects and suggested further discussion on the matter.
Co-Chair Donley clarified this bill only applies to road
construction projects located in federally recognized metropolitan
planning areas, which are larger communities. He furthered this
legislation would not apply to locally funded projects, which would
allow communities the option to undertake smaller projects without
these requirements. He informed the Anchorage Metropolitan Area
Transportation Study (AMATS) does not generally undertake projects
of less than $1 million.
Senator Austerman commented that the "economy of scale" must also
be considered. He explained that when spending less than $1 million
on a project, an extensive design time might not be prudent.
Co-Chair Donley replied that Federal Highway Administration
authorities "seem to pretty confident about their 20 year plan
process." He admitted that 25-year design time projects have not
been implemented to date and that it does become more difficult to
accurately predict traffic patterns and traffic load. However, he
pointed out that federally funded bridge construction projects must
have a 50-year design life. He noted that right of way acquisition,
particularly in urban areas, "have become a real major inhibitor to
getting these projects done."
Senator Olson predicted that longer design life stipulations would
require increased consulting efforts and would incur additional
expenses. He also noted that with the construction of a natural gas
pipeline, the population of the State and the subsequent traffic
loads would increase. He asked the anticipated increased design and
planning costs this legislation would impose.
Co-Chair Donley was unsure that design expenses would increase
because the same design life process would occur. He admitted that
project costs would increase because the roads must be designed to
last longer. He reiterated that fewer projects would be possible,
but that the finished roads would last longer. He addressed the
impact of the natural gas pipeline, stating that it is uncertain
whether it would generate a significant influx of people into the
State. He hoped the pipeline construction would be undertaken
utilizing local labor and corporations and benefit the existing
economy.
Senator Hoffman asked if this legislation would apply to the City
and Borough of Juneau.
DENNIS POSHARD, Legislative Liaison/Special Assistant, Department
of Transportation and Public Facilities, answered that Anchorage is
the only community in Alaska with a federally recognized
metropolitan planning area. He qualified that although Fairbanks
and the Mat-Su areas are close to receiving a designation, neither
community has 50,000 residents "within an urbanized area", which is
one criterion.
FRANK DILLON, Executive Vice President, Alaska Trucking
Association, testified via teleconference from Anchorage to thank
Co-Chair Donley for his efforts on this bill. He stressed the need
to address road infrastructure. He intended the road design to be
feasible as long as possible.
Co-Chair Donley proposed an amendment to the proposed committee
substitute to stipulate that all major upgrades and new
construction projects with a cost of under $5 million must have a
design life of 20 years.
Senator Leman objected to the proposed amendment because many
seemingly small projects have a significant cost. He gave as
example of the installation of a stoplight on a secondary road in
Anchorage at a cost of one-half million dollars. Therefore, he was
unsure "we want to tie the hands of planning" for projects in areas
where a 20-year design life is unnecessarily.
Co-Chair Donley stated it is "a close call" and he would defer to
Senator Leman.
Co-Chair Donley moved for adoption of CS SS SB 226, 22-LS0993/B as
a working draft.
Without objection the committee substitute was ADOPTED as a working
draft.
Co-Chair Donley moved "the committee substitute for sponsor
substitute for Senate Bill 226, the Utermohle 4/9/02 version from
Committee with forthcoming zero fiscal notes I believe … with the
fiscal notes that are advanced."
There was no objection and CS SB 226 (FIN) with forthcoming zero
fiscal note from the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities 4/17/02, MOVED from Committee.
AT EASE 10:08 AM / 10:15 AM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|