Election Day Results: Road Issues...

[thenetwork]

What were some of the more significant road issues in your areas that either passed or failed on Election Day 2018?  Will they help or hurt your area?

COLORADO:

- State Issue 109 -- Issuing bonds to improve Colorado Highway infrastructure projects:  FAILED

- State Issue 110 -- Increasing state sales tax to improve Colorado Highway infrastructure projects:  FAILED

Either/Both of these issues would have generated more money for CDOT and local jurisdictions to fund more much-needed projects in the short term, with the latter generating money from all who purchase goods & services in Colorado, including non-residents passing through.

Either/both issues were to help fast-track the widening of sections of I-70, I-25, and I-270 for starters.  I was very surprised, especially in traffic-clogged Denver, that both issues were voted against soundly by 60%+.

Expect more Express/Toll lanes in areas that do get widened, including areas that don't necessarily fit "urban" areas.

Others??

[US 89]

Utah had a Nonbinding Opinion Question #1 on the ballot this year, which would have raised the gas tax by ten cents a gallon. However, it would not have had any effect on roads, because the intention was to use the new proceeds to free up money in the general fund, which would have gone to education. In other words, it was a gas tax hike for education.

It doesn't matter anyway; the question was soundly defeated, with 67% of voters against it.

[GaryV]

Michigan's governor elect had a campaign slogan: "Fix the damn roads."

[webny99]

Michigan's governor elect had a campaign slogan: "Fix the damn roads."

Unsurprising, having been to Michigan...

[MikeTheActuary]

Connecticut's Amendment 1 passed  88%-11%.  It specifies that CT's "Special Transportation Fund" shall not be used to pay for anything other than transportation-related expenses or to service transportation-related debt.

In past years, the state has reallocated money held in the fund as part of budget-balancing exercises.

[J N Winkler]

In Missouri, the proposal to increase the gas tax (currently 17c/gallon) by 10c/gallon failed.  On the ballot it was identified as Proposition D.

Apparently about two-thirds of the proceeds were to go to the Highway Patrol while the remainder would have gone to cities for local streets.  In light of the needs on Missouri's state highway system, I would probably have voted against it myself.

[SCtoKC]

In Missouri, the proposal to increase the gas tax (currently 17c/gallon) by 10c/gallon failed.  On the ballot it was identified as Proposition D.

Apparently about two-thirds of the proceeds were to go to the Highway Patrol while the remainder would have gone to cities for local streets.  In light of the needs on Missouri's state highway system, I would probably have voted against it myself.

That's exactly why I voted against it.  We desperately need better roads, and a gas tax would be great.  But law enforcement doesn't need any more funding.

[MaxConcrete]

https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/mckinney/city-county/2018/11/06/collin-county-bond-2018/

In Collin County, north of Dallas,
$600 million approved with 69% in favor for new freeways (mainly the US 380 freeway, it is unclear if other new freeways will move forward)
$140 million approved also with 69% in favor for arterial streets

[Max Rockatansky]

Prop 6 in California was rejected which would have repealed the gas tax increases from the previous year for road repairs.  There is a lot more information about it on the SB1 Projects thread in Pacific Southwest. 

[SP Cook]

That's exactly why I voted against it.  We desperately need better roads, and a gas tax would be great.  But law enforcement doesn't need any more funding.

Thank you for having the courage to post what some will criticize.  Here in WV our state police get a 7% skim off our gas tax, which serves no purpose and makes no sense.

[hbelkins]

In Missouri, the proposal to increase the gas tax (currently 17c/gallon) by 10c/gallon failed.  On the ballot it was identified as Proposition D.

Apparently about two-thirds of the proceeds were to go to the Highway Patrol while the remainder would have gone to cities for local streets.  In light of the needs on Missouri's state highway system, I would probably have voted against it myself.

That's exactly why I voted against it.  We desperately need better roads, and a gas tax would be great.  But law enforcement doesn't need any more funding.

Maybe if Missouri would quit building DDIs all over tarnation, they'd have more money for real transportation needs.

[kphoger]

Maybe if Missouri would quit building DDIs all over tarnation, they'd have more money for real transportation needs.

Missouri builds DDIs all over Tar Nation^TM because they don't have enough money for transportation needs.  If they built some other interchange type at those locations instead of DDIs, then that would likely eat up even more of the budget.

[Rick Powell]

Here's a link to a national run-down.

https://www.enotrans.org/article/voters-pass-five-of-10-biggest-transportation-ballot-measures/

[hbelkins]

Maybe if Missouri would quit building DDIs all over tarnation, they'd have more money for real transportation needs.

Missouri builds DDIs all over Tar Nation^TM because they don't have enough money for transportation needs.  If they built some other interchange type at those locations instead of DDIs, then that would likely eat up even more of the budget.

But was there a real need for interchange reconstruction? The very first one (I-44 at MO 13) did not involve building a new bridge over the interstate. They just used the existing bridge and built crossovers on either side -- or at least that's my recollection, as I drove it right after it opened but work was still ongoing.

[ce929wax]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a DDI?

[MNHighwayMan]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a DDI?

Diverging Diamond Interchange

[webny99]

Missouri builds DDIs all over Tar Nation^TM

What on earth is MODOT doing building DDI's in North Carolina? 

[kphoger]

Maybe if Missouri would quit building DDIs all over tarnation, they'd have more money for real transportation needs.

Missouri builds DDIs all over Tar Nation^TM because they don't have enough money for transportation needs.  If they built some other interchange type at those locations instead of DDIs, then that would likely eat up even more of the budget.

But was there a real need for interchange reconstruction? The very first one (I-44 at MO 13) did not involve building a new bridge over the interstate. They just used the existing bridge and built crossovers on either side -- or at least that's my recollection, as I drove it right after it opened but work was still ongoing.

My memory of the 44/13 DDI construction is pretty fuzzy, considering it was a long time ago now, but I don't expect MoDOT spent a whole bunch of money on an interchange that had no issues to begin with.

[J N Winkler]

My recollection of the I-44/SR 13 DDI is that traffic analysis showed the turning flows at the existing interchange were so heavy that DDI conversion allowed large congestion reduction benefits to be attained at low cost.  The bridge that carries SR 13 over I-44 is still functionally obsolete and justifies replacement.

Missouri underfunds Interstate renewal so badly it is actually one of the few states where I feel uncomfortable staying at a motel near an exit that does not have a breakfast joint on its side of the Interstate.  If it is good-quality new-build like I-270/Dorsett Road, I don't have to worry, but if it is a retrofit job on 1960's original construction like I-44/SR 13, I feel like I am taking my life in my hands just walking across the Interstate.

[triplemultiplex]

Nothing directly road-related in WI, but the state of our roads was an issue in the campaign.  Though we have a new governor, the legislature remains firmly Republican (thanks to gerrymandering!) which means any structural changes to road funding are a non-starter.  I'm not sure how much the new guy is going to be able to do with the purse strings still held by those unwilling to invest in infrastructure.

I am deeply pessimistic that divided government will encourage compromise in this environment.  At best, Wisconsin may slow the bleeding.  A change in management doesn't automatically mean we can revive certain projects or step up our maintenance game when the money isn't there. 

[LM117]

Maybe if Missouri would quit building DDIs all over tarnation, they'd have more money for real transportation needs.

North Carolina has a similar hard-on for superstreets.

[Brandon]

Nothing directly road-related in WI, but the state of our roads was an issue in the campaign.  Though we have a new governor, the legislature remains firmly Republican (thanks to gerrymandering!) which means any structural changes to road funding are a non-starter.  I'm not sure how much the new guy is going to be able to do with the purse strings still held by those unwilling to invest in infrastructure.

I am deeply pessimistic that divided government will encourage compromise in this environment.  At best, Wisconsin may slow the bleeding.  A change in management doesn't automatically mean we can revive certain projects or step up our maintenance game when the money isn't there. 

At least you guys are doing something with your roads up there, and it's nowhere near as gerrymandered as the state to your south. <sigh>

[hotdogPi]

Nothing directly road-related in WI, but the state of our roads was an issue in the campaign.  Though we have a new governor, the legislature remains firmly Republican (thanks to gerrymandering!) which means any structural changes to road funding are a non-starter.  I'm not sure how much the new guy is going to be able to do with the purse strings still held by those unwilling to invest in infrastructure.

I am deeply pessimistic that divided government will encourage compromise in this environment.  At best, Wisconsin may slow the bleeding.  A change in management doesn't automatically mean we can revive certain projects or step up our maintenance game when the money isn't there. 

At least you guys are doing something with your roads up there, and it's nowhere near as gerrymandered as the state to your south. <sigh>

Not sure about the state legislature, but at the federal level, Wisconsin is gerrymandered more, although it's also a victim of changing demographics.

In 2012, WI had 3 D districts (2, 3, 4), 2 tossup districts (7, 8), and 2 R districts (1, 6). This means that Democrats get 4/8 in what was considered a moderately blue state. 3 would now be a tossup if not for incumbency advantage, and 6, 7, and 8 have also gotten significantly more red.

In 2012, IL had 11 D districts (1-11 except 6, plus 17), 2 tossup districts (12, 13), and 5 R districts (6, 14, 15, 16, 18). This means that Democrats get 12/18, which makes sense for how blue Illinois is. 12 and 13 have gotten redder (so has 17, slightly), while 6 has gotten bluer (14 flipping in 2018 wasn't a result of demographic change). 4 looks really bad on a map, but it doesn't affect D/R balance at all. After the 2018 elections, Democrats have 13 of 18, which isn't ridiculous for a state as blue as Illinois.

[3467]

Actually Wisconsin is much more Gerrymandered than Illinois. Wisconsin voted more democratic than Republican for their state districts.  More than for Evers. Evers reached out over the roads and the legislative and was bitten. They threatened to take away powers they gave Walker. Meanwhile Illinois could be argued to bear gerrymander for Republicans. Dems split up metro East and it cost another US house seat. For the state leg gerrymandering gave them a supermajority rather than a near supermajority. Pritzger won near 60 %. As a result Illinois will have some sort of capital bill. There is more discussion of Illinois under Illinois notes. More on MO under 49 discussion because that is in question

[route56]

I think it's safe to say that current Kansas Transportation Secretary Richard (not N9JIG) Carlson needs to update his resume/CV. When he was confirmed by the Senate for the job, then-senator Laura Kelly voted against his confirmation. As to whom the Governor-elect will appoint to replace him, I haven't a clue...