I49 in LA

[Grzrd]

I know the Lafayette is ready to go

Financed not by taxes, but fees:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/state_commercial_personal_lice.html

A north Louisiana lawmaker Monday said that the Legislature needs to send to voters a proposal to increase the commercial and personal vehicle license fees to chip away at major road construction needs .... Rep. Hollis Downs, R-Ruston, said his House Bills 483 and 546 would increase the minimum personal license tag fees from $10 to $30 and would triple a variety of commercial drivers fees to generate about $200 million a year -- half from each group of drivers.
The money would be used to build 42 highway construction projects around the state, estimated to cost about $3 billion ....
The state Constitution bases the personal license tag on the value of a vehicle with all owners paying at least $10 now. That would go to $30 under the Downs proposal.
The basic fee increases by $1 for every $1,000 of the vehicle's value in excess of $10,000 ....
Downs said he has gotten "mixed reaction" from the governor's office with some saying the fee is the same as a tax and others saying that a fee would not be opposed by the administration because it is not a tax.
Gov. Bobby Jindal has promised to veto any tax lawmakers send him, but has left the door open to fees. Downs said that he is sponsoring a separate fee bill for the administration.
The proposed constitutional change would need a two-thirds vote of the Legislature but would not have to be signed by Jindal. Instead, it would go the the Oct. 22 ballot for voter approval or rejectiion.
The big-ticket items to be financed by the Transportation Infrastructure Growth of Economy through Roads Fund -- or the TIGER Fund -- include ... $250 million for construction of I-49 south in Lafayette from La. 88 to the Lafayette airport.

[Anthony_JK]

Very interesting...although this probably won't fly, since our beloved Tea Party-dependent electorate here sees any attempt to raise revenue as an evil tax and will vote accordingly.

The "scrub the budget" attitude still reigns large here in Louisiana.

And, last time I checked, the cost for upgrading US 90 between Lafayette Regional Airport and the LA 88 interchange was roughly $350 million, so even this bit would fall short.  On the other hand, if that $250 mil raised by these "fees" was leveraged with Federal money on the 90% Fed/10% State scale, that would be enough to fund I-49 all the way from Lafayette to Raceland (including the urban segment in Lafayette from I-10 to the airport).

The only other alternative I can see is tolling US 90...and I'm not sure how the Tea Party conservatives down here would take to that.


Anthony

[Grzrd]

Rep. Hollis Downs, R-Ruston, said his House Bills 483 and 546 would increase the minimum personal license tag fees from $10 to $30 and would triple a variety of commercial drivers fees to generate about $200 million a year -- half from each group of drivers.
The money would be used to build 42 highway construction projects around the state, estimated to cost about $3 billion ... includ[ing] ... $250 million for construction of I-49 south in Lafayette from La. 88 to the Lafayette airport."

Downs announced today that he is withdrawing the two bills after he met with Jindal and Jindal expressed his opposition to the plan:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/state_representative_withdraws.html

Back to the drawing board for I-49 South ...

[qguy]

Very interesting...although this probably won't fly, since our beloved Tea Party-dependent electorate here sees any attempt to raise revenue as an evil tax and will vote accordingly.

Raising a tax rate is not the same as raising tax revenue. Increasing a tax rate decreases tax revenue (sometimes after a brief bump up) because it discourages the very activity that is being taxed. Conversely, decreasing a tax rate generally increases tax revenue (sometimes immediately, sometimes even ahead of an announced rate decrease) because it encourages growth of the activity that is being taxed.

So if you want to raise revenue, then yeah, don't raise tax rates. This is not a new concept; it's been preached by economists long before the tea party came around.

[Revive 755]

^ Sure, people are going to quit buying license plates if the cost goes up by $20.  Pretty sure that extra $20 is cheaper than getting pulled over for driving without them.

[Anthony_JK]

Very interesting...although this probably won't fly, since our beloved Tea Party-dependent electorate here sees any attempt to raise revenue as an evil tax and will vote accordingly.

Raising a tax rate is not the same as raising tax revenue. Increasing a tax rate decreases tax revenue (sometimes after a brief bump up) because it discourages the very activity that is being taxed. Conversely, decreasing a tax rate generally increases tax revenue (sometimes immediately, sometimes even ahead of an announced rate decrease) because it encourages growth of the activity that is being taxed.

So if you want to raise revenue, then yeah, don't raise tax rates. This is not a new concept; it's been preached by economists long before the tea party came around.

Ahhhh...no, it doesn't.

Supply-side economics has been proven to be an utter failure, because tax cuts do not bring more government revenue. In fact, the only reason supply-side APPEARED to work in 1983 was because there were tax increases (mostly regressive ones on Social Security via increased payroll taxes and reduced benefits), and because of the military budget skyrocketing. Plus, the debt ceiling was far lower than it is now, and it was consistently raised to cover the true value of the debt.

Basic fundamental needs such as infrastructure need to be supported by sufficient revenue. Like it or not, that means taxes and fees. This is not the 17th century.


Anthony

[qguy]

Basic fundamental needs such as infrastructure need to be supported by sufficient revenue. Like it or not, that means taxes and fees. This is not the 17th century.

I wholeheartely agree. We need tax revenues and plenty of them. No one is advocating elimination of taxes, only reduction of tax rates. Why would reducing tax rates return us to the 1600s?

Supply-side economics has been proven to be an utter failure, because tax cuts do not bring more government revenue.

A lot of economic geniuses--including some with Nobel Prizes--disagree. Advocates of reducing tax rates don't say that it always increases tax revenue, or that tax revenues alway increase to the same degree. The principle is that for every tax or fee, there is an optimal set point that maximizes revenue generated by that tax or fee. Raising that tax rate above, or reducing that tax rate below, the optimal set point will reduce the revenue generated. If the tax rate is set too high, then lowering it will increase revenue. If the tax rate is set too low, then raising it will increase revenue.

No serious economist (or economic student) argues that this is not so. What economists argue about (among other things) is whether any particular tax or fee is set at, above, or below the optimal set point to maximize revenue.

Which is enough in itself to argue about for generations, so...

I'll quit arguing economics before I get us all banished to the nether regions.   

[Alps]

qguy, you're right that there's an optimal point for taxation that maximizes revenue. You're wrong to think that we should be reducing taxes, though. Right now, we don't have enough funding for anything government does, including infrastructure maintenance. Our taxes are also far lower than they were under a healthy economy years ago. The answer is obvious.

[mightyace]

^^^

Actually there are three obvious answers:

1) Raise taxes
2) Cut spending
3) Raise taxes and cut spending until the amounts meet.

Which answer you prefer, naturally, depends on how much you think the government should be doing.

Personally, most of our leaders don't have the guts do pick ANY option that would balance budgets.  And, we the people are to blame.  As I've said before we seem to want socialist level of government services at Tea-party conservative tax rates.

If we want big government, then we'll need big taxes.  If we want small taxes, then we must scale down the government.

[Grzrd]

A little bit of good news for I-49 South; US 90/LA 85 interchange to open this week (upon its completion, Iberia Parish waill have all of its interchanges completed):

http://www.iberianet.com/news/overpass-nearly-complete/article_cb45708c-95d4-11e0-ad16-001cc4c03286.html

After more than a year of construction, the newest piece of the Interstate 49 South puzzle will be complete this week as the interchange of U.S. 90 and Louisiana 85 opens to vehicular traffic ... "We are very, very close,"  state Department of Transportation and Development district engineer Bill Oliver said. "The project has been going well, with just a few little hiccups."  ... Started in May 2010, the $24.5 million project was one of the first design-build projects approved by DOTD, Oliver said ... The project involved the realigning of U.S. 90, building an overpass over Louisiana 85, building new frontage roads and access ramps and moving a microwave tower previously located between the two roadways to a new location off of U.S. 90 ... It was initiated as part of the ongoing effort to upgrade U.S. 90 to interstate standards for the future Interstate 49, which will run from Lafayette to New Orleans ... In order to do that, local access roads must be limited and formal entrances and exits need to be constructed ...  "All of the interchanges in Iberia Parish are complete,"  Oliver said. "Y'all are the first to have all of your interchanges complete."  ...
Oliver said the only pieces in Iberia Parish that remain are the railroad tracks that cross U.S. 90 east of the Louisiana 85 interchange and the construction of the Captain Cade frontage road project ... A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in the upcoming weeks, Oliver said, with a number of "prominent officials,"  likely to be in attendance because of the stature of the overpass.

[Anthony_JK]

A little bit of good news for I-49 South; US 90/LA 85 interchange to open this week (upon its completion, Iberia Parish waill have all of its interchanges completed):

http://www.iberianet.com/news/overpass-nearly-complete/article_cb45708c-95d4-11e0-ad16-001cc4c03286.html

"After more than a year of construction, the newest piece of the Interstate 49 South puzzle will be complete this week as the interchange of U.S. 90 and Louisiana 85 opens to vehicular traffic ... "We are very, very close,"  state Department of Transportation and Development district engineer Bill Oliver said. "The project has been going well, with just a few little hiccups."  ... Started in May 2010, the $24.5 million project was one of the first design-build projects approved by DOTD, Oliver said ... The project involved the realigning of U.S. 90, building an overpass over Louisiana 85, building new frontage roads and access ramps and moving a microwave tower previously located between the two roadways to a new location off of U.S. 90 ... It was initiated as part of the ongoing effort to upgrade U.S. 90 to interstate standards for the future Interstate 49, which will run from Lafayette to New Orleans ... In order to do that, local access roads must be limited and formal entrances and exits need to be constructed ...  "All of the interchanges in Iberia Parish are complete,"  Oliver said. "Y'all are the first to have all of your interchanges complete."  ...
Oliver said the only pieces in Iberia Parish that remain are the railroad tracks that cross U.S. 90 east of the Louisiana 85 interchange and the construction of the Captain Cade frontage road project ... A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in the upcoming weeks, Oliver said, with a number of "prominent officials,"  likely to be in attendance because of the stature of the overpass."

And another one bites the dust. 

One question, though....what are they going to do with that at-grade railroad crossing about 300' or so east of the LA 85 interchange on US 90?? Isn't that the one that serves a sugar cane processing mill? Are they going to simply abandon them or rebuild the RR ROW to avoid crossing 90, or what??

Either way...progress. Glacier pace...but progress.

Next up: the LA 318 intersection near Four Corners. EA in progress, with construction soon to follow.


Anthony

[lamsalfl]

LA 318 interchange is about to begin construction or are you just guessing?

[ShawnP]

Not to get too Political here. Imagine if 53 Billion had gone to Hurricane Evacuation routes instead of playing trains. I-49 South, I-73, I-74 all could easily get done and then some major six laning of I-64, I-24 and many others.

[Anthony_JK]

LA 318 interchange is about to begin construction or are you just guessing?

Not yet construction...LADOTD began environmental studies and engineering about 3 months ago, should be completed with an EA/FONSI around this time next year, then construction pending funding.


Anthony

[Anthony_JK]

Not to get too Political here. Imagine if 53 Billion had gone to Hurricane Evacuation routes instead of playing trains. I-49 South, I-73, I-74 all could easily get done and then some major six laning of I-64, I-24 and many others.

Actually, I don't have a problem with funding rail-based transit where applicable and when needed....I'd just rather that Louisiana get their act together and complete this project. Hopefully, after I-49 North is finished near 2020, it will be our turn.


Anthony

[ShawnP]

To the next step on the Inner City Connector.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110718/NEWS01/107180306/I-49-inner-city-project-moves-into-next-phase

[NE2]

http://www.i49shreveport.com/
One of the photos in the rotation is an aerial of I-35E in Dallas...

[Brandon]

Waitaminiute?  They're only $10 in Louisiana?  We're paying $99 here in Illinois, up from $79.  $30 is a freaking bargin!

[Grzrd]

On Thursday, federal and state officials asserted that I-49 South is still a top priority, but $$$$$ is the top problem:
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110826/NEWS01/108260327

State and federal officials said Thursday that completing Interstate 49 South remains a top priority, even though there is no dedicated funding for portions of the project.
The entire route would run 156 miles, from Interstate 10 in Lafayette to New Orleans, and has been divided into 14 sections, said Eric Kalivoda, deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Seven of those sections are either completed or have total funding, Kalivoda told attendees at an Acadiana Regional Alliance meeting Thursday morning. The estimated cost for the remaining unfunded portions is about $5 billion.
Among the largest portions without funding are the section from I-10 in Lafayette to La. 88, and Wax Lake Outlet to Berwick in St. Mary Parish. The Lafayette section alone could cost about $1.1 billion.
U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany said those estimates have continued to increase over the years because of inflation.
"We're kind of chasing a moving goal post," Boustany said. "That's why we need a breakthough."
Other than funding through the federal highway bill, Boustany said other options have been discussed, including some type of infrastructure banking and public/private partnerships. So far, nothing has come of those talks, but Boustany said he remains optimistic ...
Kalivoda said revenue for transportation projects comes from fuel taxes, registration and permit fees, unclaimed property and vehicle sales taxes. Because of the magnitude of the I-49 project, Kalivoda said other options have been mentioned, including bonding some of the unclaimed property, putting tolls on at least portions of the interstate or transferring money from other road projects that have never materialized.
However, many of those ideas would likely create serious political and public-policy questions ...

[Anthony_JK]

LA 318 interchange is about to begin construction or are you just guessing?

Not construction yet..they have to complete the EA (Enviornmental Assessment) first, that takes about 18 months. Then, design and construction.


Anthony

[UptownRoadGeek]

Just toll it. Ai yi yi.

[Grzrd]

Just toll it. Ai yi yi.

Video report about Thursday's I-49 South meeting has at least one "man in the street" interview in favor of tolling:  http://www.klfy.com/story/15336144/i-49-moving-forward

[ShawnP]

I think it will get done as their is the Political Will and the residents seem to want to get it done. The money will sort itself out eventually. Just taking a positive getting some road built geek vibe.

[texaskdog]

^^^

Actually there are three obvious answers:

1) Raise taxes
2) Cut spending
3) Raise taxes and cut spending until the amounts meet.

Which answer you prefer, naturally, depends on how much you think the government should be doing.

Personally, most of our leaders don't have the guts do pick ANY option that would balance budgets.  And, we the people are to blame.  As I've said before we seem to want socialist level of government services at Tea-party conservative tax rates.

If we want big government, then we'll need big taxes.  If we want small taxes, then we must scale down the government.

Or as the federal govt does, just get more credit cards and worry about it later

[Anthony_JK]

Just toll it. Ai yi yi.

Video report about Thursday's I-49 South meeting has at least one "man in the street" interview in favor of tolling:  http://www.klfy.com/story/15336144/i-49-moving-forward

It may be possible to toll some segments between Lafayette and New Iberia and use the proceeds to build the remaining segment in Lafayette proper (and perhaps even the Wax Lake to Berwick segment, too), but only if the service roads are converted to Texas-style one way access roads and a combination of toll booths and electronic tolling were utilized. I'm usually against tolls myself, but if it is the only option to build the road, then so be it.

Hopefully, after I-49 North is finished in 2015, the Feds and the state will send some love and money our way at last.


Anthony