Legislature(2009 - 2010)BARNES 124
01/21/2010 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Update | |
| Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
January 21, 2010
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
Representative Craig Johnson, Vice Chair
Representative Kyle Johansen
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz
Representative Tammie Wilson
Representative Max Gruenberg
Representative Pete Petersen
SENATE TRANSPORTATION
Senator Albert Kookesh, Chair
Senator Linda Menard, Vice Chair
Senator Bettye Davis
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Joe Paskvan
MEMBERS ABSENT
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION
All members present
SENATE TRANSPORTATION
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES UPDATE
- HEARD
GOVERNOR'S COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No Previous Action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
FRANK RICHARDS, Deputy Commissioner
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an update on the Department of
Transportation and Public Facility (DOT&PF) and answered
questions.
JEFF OTTESEN, Director
Division of Program Development
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF);
Chair, Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force (CTTF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions during the
discussion of federal and state DOT&PF projects and answered
questions as Chair of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation
Task Force (CTTF)
JIM BEEDLE, Deputy Commissioner of Marine Operations
Marine Highway System (AMHS)
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided testimony and answered questions
during an update on the Department of Transportation and Public
Facility (DOT&PF) update on the AMHS.
CAMILLE FERGUSON, Economic Development Director
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the Governor's Coordinated
Transportation Task Force draft report.
ANDRA NATIONS
Executive Director
Statewide Independent Living Council;
Representative, People with Disabilities
Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force (CTTF)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the discussion of
Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force (CTTF).
DAVID LEVY, Executive Director
Alaska Mobility Coalition
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions during the
discussion of the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task
Force (CTTF).
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:02:42 PM
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the joint meeting of the House and
Senate Transportation Standing Committees to order at 1:02 p.m.
Representatives Gruenberg, Johnson, Munoz, T. Wilson, Petersen,
and P. Wilson, and Senators Paskvan, Meyer, Davis, Menard, and
Kookesh were present at the call to order. Representative
Johansen arrived as the meeting was in progress.
1:02:52 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON introduced new committee members, Representative
T. Wilson, and Petersen. She stated that she has asked the
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to
provide an update to the committees on major projects and
funding issues.
^Department of Transportation and Public Facilities update
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities update
1:04:28 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON announced the first item on the agenda is a
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) update
by DOT&PF, Deputy Commissioner Frank Richards.
1:06:11 PM
FRANK RICHARDS, Deputy Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
introduced his staff members present and handed out reflectors
for the DOT&PF Safe Routes to School program, funded by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). He said that the
reflectors are distributed at schools so school children can be
seen walking to and from school.
1:09:02 PM
MR. RICHARDS reviewed the overview items he planned to cover in
his update on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(ARRA) and the Jobs for Main Street Program. Additionally, he
will discuss the comments by the Reason Foundation, the
Governor's Initiatives, the FY 2011 Budget, and the DOT&PF's
accomplishments, emergencies, and successes.
1:10:44 PM
MR. RICHARDS provided an ARRA update [slide 3]. He explained
that of the $264 million designated to Alaska, $131.5 million
was designated for highway transportation, $73.4 for aviation,
and about $9.1 million for transit. The goal of the ARRA
funding was to initiate project construction as quickly as
possible. The state only has until February 2010 to obligate
funds and to date has obligated about 75 percent of the federal
ARRA funds. He reported that the DOT&PF has about five projects
left to obligate. He applauded the DOT&PF's efforts to meet the
federal guidelines. Thus far, the DOT&PF has expended about 25
percent of the federal ARRA funds placing it in the top half of
states nationwide. In an effort to keep the public informed,
the DOT&PF created and launched a new website,
www.dot.state.ak.us/econstim that provides project specific
details on the federal funding.
1:12:25 PM
MR. RICHARDS offered an update on the Gustavus Dock Project
[slide 4]. The overall project is to provide bridge and trestle
work, as well as construction of the pad that will allow "roll-
on roll-off" freight transport. This project replaced a 1960s
bridge and the federal ARRA funds came at just the right time.
The project will be completed at the end of the summer.
MR. RICHARDS discussed the Glenn Highway Repaving Project to
repair severe ruts [slide 5]. The work from Hiland Road to the
Eklutna Interchange began June 12, 2009, and was completed on
Oct 21, 2009. The scope of the project included milling off the
existing surface, repaving, marking, and replacing any deficient
guardrails. The next phases of resurfacing along the Glenn
Highway will be from Airport Heights Drive to Hiland Road and
the Eklutna Interchange to the Parks Highway Interchange, he
stated.
1:13:56 PM
MR. RICHARDS briefed the committee on the Jobs for Main Street
Act [slide 6]. On December 16th, 2009, the U.S. House of
Representatives passed the Jobs for Main Street Act to create or
save jobs in the U.S. The targeted investments of $75 billion
is designated for highways and transit, school renovation,
hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small business, job
training and affordable housing; the key drivers of economic
growth. He recapped that this bill has passed the U.S. House of
Representatives, and will now be taken up by the U.S. Senate.
The DOT&PF anticipates that this new bill will provide
transportation highway funding at or about the same level as the
last ARRA funding. Under the bill, fifty percent of the funding
must be under contract by states within 90 days, instead of the
requirement under the ARRA to obligate the funds within 120
days. The deadline is much tighter for the DOT&PF to capture
the funds for Alaska.
1:15:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked how this potential funding will
mesh with the state's procurement process. He asked whether the
state will be able to meet the 90 days deadline or if additional
legislation will be needed to accept the federal funding.
MR. RICHARDS offered to cover the timeline later in the DOT&PF
presentation. He discussed the Jobs for Main Street Act (Jobs
Bill 2010) process [slide 7]. Based on the input from the
Congress on the timeline, the DOT&PF requested projects from
community and tribal governments. The DOT&PF must follow all
the federal processes. Thus, the department has put a Surface
Transportation Project on the street that the DOT&PF believes
can be accomplished under the federal Title 23 processes. The
DOT&PF has already received comments back from communities and
is currently reviewing these projects and looks towards a future
STIP amendment to capture the funding for them.
1:17:17 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked whether some communities thought their
projects were ready, but when the department reviewed the
projects they discovered that the communities had not met all
the federal requirements.
MR. RICHARDS answered yes. Some communities thought they were
ready but had not performed the necessary environmental
documentation, the right-of-way certification, or the utility
relocation. In some cases additional work needed to be done,
which sometimes surfaced when the department worked with the
federal agencies.
MR. RICHARDS compared the ARRA timeline with the Jobs Bill 2010
timeline [slide 8]. The ARRA timeline allowed 120 days to
obligate funds, which is the point at which the DOT&PF files any
contractual documents with the FWHA to essentially confirm that
the state has met all the requirements under the federal Title
23 regulations. The Jobs Bill 2010 allows 90 days for states to
contract - which is the point at which the DOT&PF puts out a bid
on the street, the contractors have bid, and the procurement
process is initiated to certify the bids, prior to the
construction phase. He offered the provisions tied to the
transportation funding contain the most aggressive timeline,
which all the states must meet, but the reason for this is that
the Congress wants jobs on the street. At this point, the DOTPF
believes the process can meet the timeline, but it will require
all DOT&PF staff to do so. The Office of Management and Budget
also believes it has the authority to work through the
Legislative Budget and Audit process to capture funds.
1:20:01 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Representative Johnson, stated that
the federal government specifically did not want the ARRA funds
to displace state-funded projects. He assured members that the
DOTPF will fund projects that used the federal process and had
not followed the general fund process.
1:21:17 PM
JEFF OTTESEN, Director, Division of Program Development,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
explained that initially the DOT&PF thought projects currently
in the design project that were designated for ARRA funding
could not be removed from the process to allow the DOT&PF to
substitute other projects. However, in the end, it turned out
that shuffling was permissible, and most states needed to do so
in order to meet the federal deadlines. The DOTPF will need to
use all available projects to meet the federal deadline since 45
days is a remarkably short deadline. He estimated that the
average federal aid project takes 7 - 9 years to go through the
entire process to construction completion.
1:22:13 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN asked for the number of projects throughout the
state that the DOT&PF can use to meet the deadline, in terms of
dollars and the number of projects.
MR. OTTESEN answered that $166 million of DOT&PF projects has
already been identified, which is well over half of the $175
million in the anticipated projects. Many are projects are
already underway and have had some design work done.
Additionally, one class of work that can be performed very
quickly is the re-pavement project work since very little
environmental or permit work is required. The DOTPF also has
projects in progress that would be included its regular 2010
project list.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked for the distribution of projects in the
state.
MR. RICHARDS explained that 16 projects have been identified and
are spread throughout the state, ranging from Southeast Alaska,
Kenai, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and along the Richardson Highway.
He described these projects as basically "mainline projects,"
including roads and highways that provide transportation for the
greatest amount of traffic. He restated that the mill and
overlay projects can be quickly certified and be ready for
construction, including the Glenn Highway resurfacing projects.
1:24:29 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Representative Johansen, explained
that the federal funding for the Jobs Bill 2010 is subject to
the Title 23 federal process, including the environmental,
right-of-way certification, utility, and design processes just
like any other federal project. If an existing project requires
a change in scope, it would likely mean revisiting the
environmental document. Since the federal timelines must still
be followed, the environmental process could delay the project
from inclusion in the initial 50 percent obligation list.
Again, he emphasized that 50 percent of the funds must be placed
under contract within 90 days. Thus, considering inclusion of
any re-scoped projects in the mix would be difficult, he stated.
1:26:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked if the Jobs Bill 2010 funding can
be used to fund municipal projects such as Ketchikan or
Fairbanks projects.
MR. OTTESEN related that Anchorage will receive a specific
fraction of the anticipated $175 million or about $19 million.
The Municipality of Anchorage uses the AMATS Board process to
obtain its funding, which contains the same accelerated federal
timeline. Communities with projects that have followed the
federal process are eligible for inclusion. However,
communities do not typically follow the more burdensome federal
process, so their projects are usually not eligible for federal
funding, he stated.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked for copy of the DOT&PF's proposed
project list.
MR. OTTESEN related that last year, Fairbanks ended up not
receiving funding based on specifics in the federal formula, so
the DOT&PF funded Fairbanks projects from its regular program
funds. It may well happen again this year, although efforts are
being made to amend the federal formula to address the issue.
In further response to Representative Johnson, he agreed that
Anchorage and Fairbanks are the only communities in Alaska that
follow the Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (MATS)
process.
1:29:45 PM
MR. OTTESEN clarified that Alaska's federal funding is received
by the state in four categories. The categories include MATS,
transportation enhancements, and smaller communities. He
detailed that about 3 percent of the funding is designated for
transportation enhancements to fund items such as sidewalks and
trails, and about 30 percent is designated for communities with
populations under 5,000. An overarching requirement for the
federal transportation ARRA funding has been to give priority to
communities in economic distress. Last year, the goal was a
soft goal but this year the DOT&PF anticipates that this goal
will be a firmer goal. States must use the federal criteria to
determine which communities are designated as ones in economic
distress, he offered.
1:30:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON expressed interest in providing funding
for specific communities are under economic distress. He asked
whether communities that have already been declared as emergency
situations will be eligible for funding. He also requested a
list of the applicable federal statutes and regulations that
apply.
1:31:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether a borough that has
already filed for economic distress relief would be eligible for
the Jobs Bill 2010 funding.
MR. RICHARDS explained that he was not aware of any provision in
the Jobs Bill 2010 that allows for a certain percentage of
funding to be targeted for economic distress. The economic
distress was a soft target, identified in last ARRA bill as an
emphasis that the Congress placed on states, but the Congress
did not specify any dollar amount. He was unsure whether
unemployment rates are defined in any emergency provisions and
deferred to the state or federal Department of Labor to provide
these rates. He related that the Jobs Bill 2010 funding is in
currently before the U.S. Senate so changes may still occur in
the bill. For example, the Fairbanks North Star Borough is
actively pursuing the Fairbanks Metropolitan Transportation
System (FMATS) issue be addressed by the Congress so that it may
receive funding. In response to Chair Wilson, Mr. Richards
offered to seek information on the unemployment rates for the
committee.
1:33:27 PM
MR. OTTESEN related that last year the DOT&PF was allowed to
make a case for a subset of a census area or a borough as an
area in distress. He suggested that the state could also make
the case that pockets of distress occur within a census area
that has not been identified as a distress area.
1:34:24 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN asked whether the DOT&PF anticipates any
problems as a result of the compressed schedules, and if the
DOT&PF will have enough shelf-ready projects later, say two to
five years from now, since all the available projects may
already be funded from the federal stimulus funds.
MR. RICHARDS agreed that the extra federal money has funded many
of the shelf-ready projects and has allowed the DOTPF to build
projects a year or so in advance. The DOT&PF's design and
construction and the department's consultants are striving to
re-establish projects and get them ready for additional funding
to avoid that issue.
1:36:03 PM
MR. RICHARDS discussed the performance of the State Highway
System in Alaska [slides 8 - 11]. He offered that many members
may have already received a report from the Reason Foundation,
which is a report on the nation's highways. The report states
that Alaska's highways are the worst in the nation. He said
that the DOT&PF takes exception to that analysis. The Reason
Foundation did not take into account the extensive gravel
highways or the unique characteristics of Alaska's rural
interstate system as compared to interstate highways in the
middle U.S. states or along the Lower 48 coastal states.
Alaska's interstate system is not a controlled access four-lane
highway, but is a two-lane rural road with driveways and side
streets directly accessing the highway. Thus, traffic pulls
gravel on the roadway, he explained. The Reason Foundation made
its determination on the roughness index. He recalled the
committee's recent tour of Alaska's roads in the DOT&PF van so
members have an idea of the road conditions. The Reason
Foundation concluded that Alaska's highways were rough,
including the gravel roads. He suggested that one cannot
compare a four-lane interstate 95 highway with the Dalton
Highway with areas of discontinuous permafrost and the specific
challenges of that road. The report also took into account the
per mile funding that penalized the state's capital and
operating costs since the funding included the AMHS capital
costs into the per mile calculation, but did not include the run
length of the marine highway. Thus, it tipped Alaska over and
dropped it down considerably from where it should have been. He
concluded that the Reason Foundation's reasoning was flawed.
1:38:42 PM
MR. RICHARDS acknowledged he has tried to work with the Reason
Foundation to address the DOT&PF's specific disagreements with
their report. He said, "We're proud of our highway system and
the people that work on it, the Marine Highway System that we
have, and the services we provide to all Alaskans so we took
offense at this report."
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Chair Wilson, agreed that the
DOT&PF will not report on gravel road roughness.
MR. RICHARDS reviewed the Governor's Initiatives [slide 12]. He
pointed out that DOT&PF has nearly $775 million in deferred
maintenance across the modes, for highway, aviation, facilities,
AMHS, ports, and harbors. The DOT&PF continues its work on the
designated Alaska Highway Safety Corridors (HSC) to make the
roads safer, and the DOT&PF has also advanced its efforts on the
road to Umiat and Nome, as well as improving the crime lab with
$75 million to take that building to construction. Again, the
state is improving the Dalton Highway due to its importance to
the state.
1:40:43 PM
SENATOR MEYER expressed concern with state roads not being
maintained. He inquired as to whether the problem with
contractor providing street cleaning in Anchorage has been
rectified.
MR. RICHARDS responded that he would cover that in his
presentation. In further response to Senator Meyer, he answered
that he would cover fatalities on the Seward Highway from
Anchorage to Seward and the Kenai Peninsula during his
discussion of the designated Highway Safety Corridors (HSC).
1:41:54 PM
MR. RICHARDS discussed the FY 11 budget [slide 13]. He
explained that the operating budget is about $542 million, of
which $236 million is general fund monies, and $306 million is
federal funding.
1:42:40 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Senator Menard, related that the
department currently has 3,400 employees, including its in-house
surveyors and one architect.
SENATOR MENARD expressed concern about outsourcing professional
services, which could be held for another discussion. Some
constituents have complained that some of the professional
services could be performed by the private sector.
MR. RICHARDS suggested that the DOT&PF outsources a tremendous
amount of work. He recalled that over 70 percent of the
DOT&PF's design work in the Central Region is performed by its
consultants. The department is expanding its construction
management and oversight services so that over 40 percent is
performed by consultants. Members of the consulting community
provide important services to the DOT&PF. He expressed
confidence that the DOT&PF is working with its partners in the
consulting community. In further response to Senator Menard, he
agreed that the programs have rapidly expanded, but the employee
level for design and construction has not grown. He offered to
discuss this matter further.
1:45:31 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Representative Johansen, explained
that the DOT&PF requests general fund matching funds in
different proportions for its highway, aviation, and transit
programs. He reported $8.6 in matching funds for aviation and
$36 million in matching funds for highways for a total of $45
million, although he might have missed some matching funds in
his quick analysis today.
1:47:00 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Representative Munoz, stated that
the Congress has delayed action on the highway reauthorization
bill due to its efforts on health care, climate change, and
federal stimulus funding. He estimated that the FY 10 federal
funding would be similar to FY 09 federal receipts. In further
response to Representative Munoz, he explained that the initial
continuation was a month, but was then extended to six to eight
weeks.
MR. OTTESEN answered that the Congress has had three extensions
on the SAFETEA-LU, and recently extended it to end of January.
The state anticipates a fourth extension soon. Additionally, a
year-long extension is contained in the Jobs Bill 2010 that
would extend SAFETEA-LU through 2010.
1:48:47 PM
MR. RICHARDS turned to accomplishments [slides 14 - 17]. He
provided an updates on the A and B concourses projects at the
Ted Stevens International airport, which were performed on
schedule and under budget. He noted the single security
checkpoint [slide 16].
MR. RICHARDS explained the Fairbanks Passenger Terminal
enhancements also came in on schedule and under budget [slide
18]. This project also won the 2009 design award by the local
chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He highlighted
the Fairbanks Runway Reconstruction and Cargo Stand Construction
[slide 19]. The project was completed for $43 million, without
incident. The heavy cargo apron also allows heavier planes to
land and provides service to trans-Pacific carriers in the event
flights need to be diverted to the airport.
1:51:51 PM
MR. RICHARDS discussed the Dowling Road Extension [slide 20].
He explained that this was a general fund project that connects
Abbott Road and Dowling Road and provides a new east to west
corridor to shift traffic away from the congested Lake Otis and
Tudor intersection. The project was completed within three
years, which shows the benefits of state-funded projects.
1:52:24 PM
SENATOR MEYER offered his appreciation for completion of the
Dowling Road Extension between Lake Otis Parkway and Elmore Road
since it helps move traffic east to west. He inquired as to
whether the next phase of the project, extending Dowling Road
from Arctic Boulevard to Minnesota Road is still in the plans.
MR. RICHARDS provided an update on the Dowling Road West
Project, which is the next planned phase. He explained that a
portion of the proposed roadway will traverse wetlands and will
require an extensive environmental impact statement (EIS). He
related that the next phase is the environmental portion of the
work. He explained that this project is part of the Connect
Anchorage Initiative, which provided nearly $800 million in
roadwork to help address congestion in Anchorage and allow for
better traffic flow to bypass some of the more congested
intersections. The next phase of Dowling Road West is in the
environmental phase and will require the DOT&PF to seek
appropriation for construction once the estimates are firm for
environmental costs.
SENATOR MEYER also expressed his appreciation for the DOT&PF's
public meetings with the Community Councils. He suggested that
the completed project will further relieve the traffic
congestion at the Tudor Road and Lake Otis Parkway intersection.
MR. RICHARDS anticipated that the Dowling Road Extension
projects will reduce traffic by 15,000 vehicles per day.
1:55:22 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Representative Johansen, answered
that general fund monies can be used for deferred maintenance,
the AMHS vessel, and terminal overhaul, and for highway facility
projects, including $5 million for the Highway Safety Corridor
(HSC). Additionally, a variety of other projects can be funded
from general fund, such as the Roads to Resources Initiatives
and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, bunk house
replacement, and anti-icing programs. In further response to
Representative Johansen, he answered that these projects appear
on the appropriations list.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked for the criteria that the DOT&PF
uses to determine which projects will be general fund only
projects.
MR. RICHARDS answered that project work previously described is
built into the DOT&PF program with a timeline, including
initiatives such as the Connect Anchorage Initiative, the EIS
for Dowling Road West, or the Seward Highway Expansion. Much of
the funding is used for initiatives such as the Roads to
Resource that will help create jobs. The DOT&PF works through
the process and presents its recommendations to the Governor's
office, and then awaits authorization for general fund
expenditures in the fiscal year.
1:58:20 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in further response to Representative Johansen,
explained that the DOT&PF has developed plans in multiple areas
of the state, including Southeast Alaska, Northwest Alaska,
Southwest Alaska, and the 2030 plan. The DOT&PF obtains input
during the project development process, identifies issues,
receives input from the regions, and then determines which
projects to include in the capital plan.
1:59:40 PM
MR. RICHARDS highlighted the Sitka Roundabout Project [slide
21]. He explained that this project reduced congestion and
accident rates at the intersection of Sawmill Creek Road,
Halibut Point Road, and Lake Street. The intersection serves
11,000 vehicles per day and the roundabout should make the
intersection much safer. He discussed the North Pole
Interchange [slide 22]. This project addressed a long-standing
need at the intersection of the Richardson Highway and Dawson
Road. This project provided a bridge over Dawson Road and a
safer intersection. The project was completed for $19.7
million, at about 9 percent below the contractor's bid amount.
2:00:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked whether the DOT&PF examines the
effect construction projects will have on businesses or if the
community must review the impact.
MR. RICHARDS explained that the DOT&PF uses an extensive process
to involve the communities and provide community input. In
further response to Representative T. Wilson, he explained the
process the department uses to notify the public, including that
the DOT&PF mail notices, publishes notices in the newspapers,
and also assists people who are interested in a specific project
to sign up to receive e-mail notifications.
2:02:40 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN asked whether the department currently
experiences projects being uniformly consistently underbid,
requested the per lane mile costs, and if the DOT&PF expects
stability in construction costs.
MR. RICHARDS responded that in mid 1990s the DOT&PF experienced
a high inflationary period, but in 2008 experienced the effects
of worldwide impacts. Last year the bid amounts generally came
in lower than the engineers projected estimates, which is
unusual in a competitive market. He related that the cost per
mile is not standardized, that each project is different since
the specific requirements in projects may include culvert,
guardrail, or embankment needs which will affect the overall
project cost. Additionally, the costs are not consistent around
the state, since some regions have discontinuous permafrost
while other regions do not have permafrost considerations.
2:05:05 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN clarified that he is more interested in
stabilization than in the overall costs and asked whether the
DOT&PF anticipates stability or instability in the cost
analysis, not for the overall lane mile costs.
MR. RICHARDS responded that asphalt costs pose challenges. The
costs of asphalt are much higher than in the Lower 48, which is
a variable that cannot be projected. The DOT&PF attempts to
contain costs to maximize the number of projects it can
undertake.
2:06:48 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked what happens to any excess funding when
the project costs come in lower than expected.
MR. RICHARDS answered that the process for stimulus fund
authorization provides a good example. As projects came in
under budget, the DOT&PF was able to present additional projects
to the Legislative Budget and Audit committee for approval.
2:08:00 PM
MR. RICHARDS, in response to Representative Johansen, answered
that the FHWA policy requires annual financial reporting on all
projects over $100 million. Additionally, the DOT&PF engineers
adjust their estimates in the regular program, for example, to
adjust for actual asphalt costs. In further response to
Representative Johansen, he related that the DOT&PF has a
significant number of projects over $100 million.
2:10:38 PM
MR. RICHARDS described the successes of the AMHS, including
vessel fuel savings [slide 23]. He explained that the AMHS has
had 92 percent of on-time departures, and has released its
winter and spring schedules ahead of time. The AMHS has
instituted power management and fuel savings systems that have
resulted in 10 to 14 percent fuel savings. The systems are on
the M/V Aurora, the M/V Tustumena, and the M/V Matanuska and
will soon be installed on the M/V Kennicott and the M/V Columbia
during major refurbishments. He remarked that the AMHS
anticipates it will provide wireless service on the vessels.
CHAIR P. WILSON recalled the AMHS anticipated it would have a 10
to 20 percent cost savings due to limiting the vessel speeds.
2:12:19 PM
JIM BEEDLE, Deputy Commissioner of Marine Operations, Marine
Highway System (AMHS), Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities (DOT&PF), recalled that the AMHS has the most
experience with the Power Management and Fuel Savings Systems on
the M/V Aurora in Prince William Sound. The process involves a
cooperative effort between the engineers and the deck and is
most effective on the longer ferry routes. Initially, system
installations on the M/V Matanuska caused problems, but the
addition of a controllable pitch prop system on this vessel
should make the system work well. Thus, the AMHS does not have
hard figures yet, but hopes to see better results on the M/V
Kennicott and the M/V Columbia, especially due to the longer
runs.
2:13:59 PM
SENATOR MEYER referred to the M/V Susitna that is being built in
Ketchikan. He inquired as to whether more projects will be
performed in state.
MR. BEEDLE referred to the Alaska Class Ferry Update to answer
part of the question. The AMHS has completed the preliminary
design process, but has held conversations with the attorney
general's office, who have urged the AMHS to work with the
shipbuilder on the final design to avoid problems such as the
ones the state had with the M/V Kennicott, and to help insure
bonding. Thus, the shipyard will review the process in advance
to be sure it can comply with the specifications to reduce risk.
He related that the AMHS is completing a Request for Proposal
(RFP), which he believed will be let in mid-February. The
Ketchikan shipyard, Alaska Ship and Drydock, Inc. (ASD), is
aware that the bid will be competitive, but ASD believes it can
offer a competitive bid in that process.
SENATOR MEYER asked whether Alaskan companies would receive a
five percent preference on any bids.
MR. BEEDLE explained that the preference is not specifically for
Alaskan companies, but is considered an inter-port bid
differential. In instances in which a ship needs refurbishing
or is built out-of-state, for example, if a company in Florida
or Washington was awarded a bid, the cost for shipping from that
state to Alaska would be added to the bid cost. Thus, when the
work is performed in state, such as in Seward or Ketchikan, the
additional shipping costs are not added in so it works to the in
state shipper's advantage.
MR. BEEDLE discussed the vessel overhaul or refurbishing
process. The state provides Capital Budget funds to AMHS for
safety certification of vessels, which covers the routine
maintenance to insure passenger safety. In Southeast Alaska,
most of the vessels are serviced for the general overhauls at
the ASD in Ketchikan. However, if a Capital Improvement Project
(CIP) is awarded to an out of state shipyard, the vessel
receives its overhaul at the same time since the CIP process is
a federal fund process and bids are awarded to the lowest bidder
without any preference offered. However, the state still
accrues cost savings in the process. Thus, the M/V Kennicott is
currently in Bellingham for a CIP, but will also receive its
overhaul, which takes about six week to complete.
2:19:33 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON recalled some complaints from constituents on
bid awards and remarked that it is helpful for her to know the
process the AMHS uses.
MR. BEEDLE commented that the AMHS has already developed
negotiated prices with the ASD on specific costs of services,
which helps when the AMHS develop its Capital Improvement Budget
(CIB). He characterized the Alaska Marine Highway System's
relationship with the ASD as a good working relationship. In
response to Representative Johansen, he agreed that the ASD is
owned by AIDEA, but is operated by a private company in
Ketchikan.
2:21:18 PM
MR. RICHARDS discussed the Highway Safety Corridors (HSC) [slide
24]. He explained that the DOT&PF and the Department of Public
Safety (DPS) uses the "3 Es" approach consisting of education,
engineering, and enforcement on the HSC. The Alaska Highway
Safety Office (AHSO) has also developed a series of
advertisements to help educate to consumers, such as the "Click
It or Ticket" campaign. The DPS created the Bureau of Highway
Patrol (BHP), which is currently in its second year of
operation, with 28 officers assigned to the HSC whose specific
task is to conduct patrols for safety issues. This specific
enforcement is funded by the AHSO, and the $4.8 million effort
has resulted in reductions in major accidents. Additionally,
fatalities are down 40 percent on the Seward Highway and Parks
Highway Safety Corridors.
2:23:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON recalled 12 fatalities happened this year
on the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Seward or on the
stretch of the Seward Highway enroute to the Kenai Peninsula.
He remarked that this was an extraordinary high number of
accidents and asked how the department statistics could possibly
reflect a reduction in accidents.
MR. RICHARDS responded that the Seward Highway Safety Corridor
does not encompass the entire Seward Highway, just the portion
of the highway from Potter Marsh to the Turnagain Pass.
2:26:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON recalled that the DPS has been
encouraging drivers to phone in any drivers engaging in reckless
or hazardous behavior. He asked for the DOT&PF's position on
pending legislation for the "zero tolerance" bill or the ban on
cell phones while driving bill.
MR. RICHARDS responded that he has not yet read the pending
bills, but offered to do so and to report the department's
position to the committee.
2:27:49 PM
SENATOR MENARD remarked that the DOT&PF is the largest
department that the committee never seems to complete any
overviews in one session. She suggested that the committee
might consider breaking up future overviews into segments.
2:28:22 PM
MR. RICHARDS asked to address Senator Meyer's earlier question.
He then referred members to slide 37, and to Anchorage Street
Sweeping. He explained that the federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) issued new requirements for street
sweeping and storm sewer management in an effort to keep the
streams clean to meet the Clean Water Act guidelines. The
DOT&PF and the Municipality of Anchorage must comply with the
multi-sector general permitting. The DOT&PF must sweep main
highways two times by June 1, 2010 and two more times by October
1, 2010. Secondary roads must also be swept once by June 1,
2010, and twice by October 1, 2010. The DOT&PF will promulgate
regulations and has developed new contracts but anticipates that
it will need an additional $2.2 million in operating funds to
comply with the federal unfunded mandate. In response to a
question, Mr. Richards explained that the federal government can
impose a $32,000 per day penalty for non-compliance, although
the EPA has not specifically set out a penalty for not meeting
the street sweeping multi-sector permit requirements.
2:30:46 PM
SENATOR MEYER asked what efforts can be taken to reduce the
deaths on Seward Highway. He expressed concern that the
department is only tracking fatalities on certain sections.
MR. RICHARDS responded that the DOT&PF tracks all fatalities
statewide. He explained that the statewide fatalities dropped
24 percent, which is the highest in the nation.
2:32:04 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:32 p.m. to 2:33 p.m.
2:33:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG related his understanding that $110,000
worth of wire that was being shipped on the M/V Matanuska was
recently stolen. He asked what process or procedures the AMHS
uses, noting that he did not need an immediate response.
2:33:44 PM
^Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force
Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force
2:33:58 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the next item on the agenda, a draft
report on the Governor's Coordinated Transportation Task Force.
2:34:11 PM
CAMILLE FERGUSON, Economic Development Director, Sitka Tribe of
Alaska, explained that the Governor signed Administrative Order
243 on October 14, 2008 creating the Governor's Coordinated
Transportation Task Force (CTTF) to study and make
recommendations on how the state can coordinate cost-effective,
community-based transportation services to persons with special
needs.
2:34:52 PM
MS. FERGUSON related a personal scenario in which she suffered a
travel delay to attend this hearing. Several wheelchair bound
people were also on her airline flight. She offered that her
comparison of her own needs as compared to those in wheelchairs
highlighted for her the need for coordinated efforts for
transportation.
2:36:02 PM
MS. FERGUSON named some CTTF members and support group present
at this hearing, including Jeff Ottesen, Chair of the CTTF, Eric
Taylor, DOT&PF, and David Levy, Alaska Mobility Coalition.
2:36:56 PM
MS. FERGUSON related that the CTTF was asked to examine the
state's coordinated transportation, and to make recommendations
to the legislature. The task force looked at a broad range of
special transportation needs for persons, including persons with
disabilities, senior citizens, preschool children participating
in a head start program, public school students, low-income
individuals, and those without access to existing, workable
transportation opportunities. She remarked that Juneau has a
great Care-A-Van service but none were at the airport to assist
the wheelchair bound travelers, which emphasizes the need for
better coordination [slide 2].
2:38:57 PM
MS. FERGUSON discussed persons with special needs [slide 4].
She explained that 25 percent, which is a large percentage of
Alaskans, fall into the category of persons with special needs
asked on an Alaska census survey taken in 2008 that identified
poverty status adults and children, seniors over the age of 60,
civilians with a disability, and veterans with a disability.
Over 44,000 Alaskan homes are on public assistance. The state
is large, and more than 150,000 people live off the state
highway system [slide 5]. She described the extra efforts a
disabled person living in rural Alaska must take to attend a
conference.
2:40:41 PM
MS. FERGUSON outlined some of Alaska's transportation providers
that provide assistance for the disabled to get to jobs, medical
appointments, school, and social events [slide 5].
2:42:34 PM
MS. FERGUSON highlighted the types of services that provide
human service transportation [slide 6].
MS. FERGUSON discussed the providers [slide 7]. This specific
slide outlines sources of funding such as the Federal Transit
Administration, and the National Council on Disability. It also
outlines some of the agencies that serve people ranging from the
DOT&PF to non-governmental organizations or non-profit
organizations. This slide is in a graphic format that better
helps to illustrate the populations for special needs.
Sometimes the same person is disabled and is also a low income
person, she stated.
2:44:02 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked for a larger copy of slide 7 to distribute
to members.
MS. FERGUSON agreed to do so.
2:44:20 PM
MS. FERGUSON highlighted coordination of services [slide 8].
Coordination of services is the efficient and effective use of
local, state, and federal transportation resources. It includes
working together across sectors to broaden transportation
options, and helps insure the connectivity between them.
MS. FERGUSON explained that roads are highways, but in Southeast
Alaska, including communities such as Sitka, access is obtained
by the AMHS [slide 9].
2:46:43 PM
MS. FERGUSON identified CTTF members and the groups or
organizations they represent [slide 10]. Jennifer Beckman, low
income individuals, Patricia Branson, Senior citizens, Rebecca
Hilgendorf, the Department of Health and Social Services, Glenn
Miller, Municipal Transportation departments, Andra Nation
People With Disabilities, and Cheryl Walsh, the Department of
Labor & Workforce Development. She related that she represented
transportation providers that receive federal funding for Indian
Tribes, and as previously mentioned, Jeff Ottesen, chaired the
task force and also represented the DOT&PF. She identified the
ex officio members as Marcia Hoffman-Devoe, LSCW, U.S.
Department of Veterans' Affairs, Rick Krochalis, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Region X, and
Christopher Mandregan, Jr., the U.S. Department of Health and
Social Services, Alaska area Native health service.
2:48:30 PM
MS. FERGUSON outlined Administrative Order 243 tasks [slide 12]:
Identify state, federal, and local government agencies and
private entities; identify barriers to coordination; recommend
the removal of barriers; propose changes in statutes or
regulations; develop mechanisms and incentives to coordination;
identify available financing; and develop a mechanism to insure
that services are coordinated.
2:50:33 PM
MS. FERGUSON reported the process used [slide 13]. The CTTF
completed all seven tasks, conducted five face-to-face meetings,
held six teleconferences, shared resource information, and
conducted public comment period. She remarked that the public
comment was very important to the CTTF.
2:51:34 PM
MS. FERGUSON reviewed the four CTTF recommendations, as follows
[slide 14]:
1. Enact a statute to institutionalize and require
coordination of community-based transportation services
2. Make specific state funds available to support
operation expenses.
3. Enrich and enhance the human-service public
transportation coordination planning processes by revising,
and updating coordination planning guidance documents and
providing increased technical assistance.
4. Fund and conduct a statewide needs assessment of
Alaskans with special needs to clearly identify the scope
of the transportation need.
2:54:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG related that some proposals were
previously given to him during a meeting. He referred to number
4. He explained that the Alaska Mobility Coalition provided him
with draft legislation.
MS. FERGUSON agreed that the Alaska Mobility Coalition prepared
draft legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked for the process to conduct a
statewide needs assessment outlined in the fourth
recommendation.
MS. FERGUSON responded that the process to provide the needs
assessment still needs to be assessed.
2:56:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested that if the CTTF wants
assistance from the legislature that it would be helpful to have
the specifics outlines, such as providing a draft bill or
something specific the legislature can assist the CTTF to
accomplish.
2:56:58 PM
ANDRA NATIONS, Executive Director, Statewide Independent Living
Council; Representative, People With Disabilities, Governor's
Coordinated Transportation Task Force (CTTF), pointed out the
CTTF's first recommendation is to enact a statute to coordinate
transportation services. An important component of that
recommendation is a request to create a semi-permanent
commission to continue the CTTF's mission. She related while
the administrative order was signed in October, that the full
CTTF was initially formed in February. She stated that the
tasks were complex and the CTTF did not have enough time to
accomplish its work, especially with respect to identifying
unmet needs.
2:58:49 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON asked for the end date of the CTTF.
MS. NATIONS explained that the CTTF will make its
recommendations to the Governor by January 31, 2010. She
related that a commission would likely be able to accomplish its
work in 18 months.
2:59:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether the commission Ms.
Nations is referring to was contained in the draft bill that was
presented to him by some of the CTTF members during an informal
meeting.
3:00:00 PM
DAVID LEVY, Executive Director, Alaska Mobility Coalition,
stated that former Governor Palin signed an administrative order
creating the CTTF, and asking for local communities, state
government, tribes, and non-profits around the state to review
transportation issues. The administrative order was signed in
October 2008, and the CTTF was organized in March 2009. One of
the recommendations acknowledges that is hard to capture the
diverse challenges in Alaska in nine months. The CTTF
recommends long-term analysis of transportation needs, either by
an additional administrative order to span another 18 months, or
to create a permanent task force that could take a longer term
review of transportation in the state. In response to Chair
Wilson, he recalled conversations with the DOT&PF that funding
would cost about $50,000 to cover the group, but it would be
federal funding, with no additional amount of general fund
monies required.
3:01:50 PM
JEFF OTTESEN, Director, Division of Program Development,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF);
answered that he represented the DOT&PF on the CTTF, and was
also the chair of the CTTF. He explained that the Federal
Transit Administration requires the state to proceed with
coordinated transportation. Thus, the FTA is very supportive of
the state's CTTF. He recalled that Rick Krochalis, Regional
Administrator, FTA, Region X, was an active ex officio member.
He participated in CTTF's teleconferences, read their documents,
and provided editing comments to the task force. He emphasized
that the FTA will fund this effort because the agency wants
transportation needs coordinated statewide. The federal
government funds many programs [listed on slide 7]. Thus, the
FTA wants coordinated efforts to avoid duplication and provide
better service, he said.
3:03:24 PM
MR. OTTESEN, in response to Chair Wilson, agreed that the FTA
will fund a continuation. Ultimately, the CTTF would like to
provide the legislature with a package, which was not possible
to produce in the scope of the CTTF timeframe. Coordination is
as good as two people within two agencies, and if one retires,
the coordination of services may end.
MR. OTTESEN, in response to Representative Gruenberg, related
that he had not looked at the draft bill that the Alaska
Mobility Coalition provided to legislators.
3:04:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked for the reason that the fourth CTTF
recommendation was not prioritized as the first recommendation
since it seemed to him that the CTTF needs assessment would be
required initially in order to clearly identify the scope of
services.
MR. OTTESEN pointed out that the transportation needs are quite
large, but specifically identifying the population is difficult
as people fit into more than one category. Additionally, the
TCCF does not know how well people are served. For example,
Juneau has excellent Care-a-Van service but other communities do
not.
3:05:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated that due to the overlap in
categories, the 25 percent figure is not likely an accurate
number. He remarked that he does not believe one in four
Alaskans fall into the special needs category.
MR. OTTESEN explained that the CTTF discounted the number.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked to review the statistics. He
maintained his view that recommendation four should be moved to
the first recommendation.
3:06:30 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON stated she attended some of the meetings. He
inquired as to whether some of the coordination could be
initiated now.
MR. OTTESEN responded that some coordination has been occurring
during the past ten years. He related that his staff has
performed some outreach services, but many parts of the state's
special transportation needs are still not served. He thought
the lack of coordination in services is because nothing in state
law requires state agencies to do so.
3:08:01 PM
SENATOR PASKVAN asked for clarification of the slide that
defines public school students in the category of special needs.
He believed that designation needs further clarification.
Additionally, he asked whether private schools also have special
needs students that should be identified.
SENATOR KOOKESH suggested that the state needs this work
performed. He thanked the CTTF for its work. He remarked that
disagreeing with the numbers is not the issue and maintained the
importance of the CTTF's efforts.
REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON stated that she has also attended
meetings in Fairbanks. She agreed the CTTF needs more time to
complete its work. She agreed that the fourth recommendation
should be moved up in their list of priorities.
3:10:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed with the CTTF time constraints.
He observed that the CTTF seems to be part way through the
process and may not yet be at the point of providing details to
the legislature. He recommended the CTTF develop a plan,
including a timeline so the Governor and legislature can better
understand the needs and assist them.
CHAIR P. WILSON also agreed with member's assessment of the
CTTF's recommendations. She stated that she would welcome the
specifics of what the CTTF needs.
MR. OTTESEN acknowledged the suggestions and agreed with the
remarks.
3:13:37 PM
MS. FERGUSON concluded her presentation by mentioning other
draft recommendations [slide 15]. She related that other draft
recommendations at an operational level have been proposed by
the group and are being maintained in draft form, pursuant to
more study and public involvement. She said she appreciated the
feedback and committee member suggestions.
3:15:01 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the joint
House and Senate Transportation meeting was adjourned at 3:15
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| AMHS-0103 CaptFlavey lr1.pdf |
HTRA 1/21/2010 1:00:00 PM |
|
| CTTF PPT 21JAN10.pdf |
HTRA 1/21/2010 1:00:00 PM |
|
| H and S TRA Overview 2010.pdf |
HTRA 1/21/2010 1:00:00 PM |