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Executive Director's Report

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEVE HEMINGER’S REPORT TO THE
COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 22, 2009

SUMMARY OF EVENTS:

Intermodal Planning Group
Oakland, April 1

This annual session consists of federal and state officials reviewing the proposed overall work programs for MTC and ABAG.

RTAC Meeting
Sacramento, April 7

I attended the monthly meeting of the Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) created by SB 375 (Steinberg). We received two presentations on the potential for greater transit-oriented development in California and also began to discuss some possible approaches to greenhouse gas emission reduction target setting. An important distinction to keep in mind during this discussion is that the state’s large metropolitan areas are starting from different places in taking on the challenge of reducing vehicle miles traveled per capita.

President Releases High-Speed Rail Plan
Washington DC, April 16

President Obama released a national high-speed rail strategic plan as required by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which set aside $8 billion for improvements to high speed and intercity rail corridors. The plan identifies 10 high-speed rail corridors as potential recipients of federal funding, including the route here in California. The fact that the president and vice president were both present for this announcement underscores the importance of the high-speed rail initiative to the Obama Administration.

The plan also outlines three funding tracks for high-speed rail development to be financed both with the $8 billion in ARRA funds as well as $5 billion in additional General Fund support: (1) Individual projects that are “ready to go” with completed environmental and engineering work, that could begin to receive funding by September 2009; (2) Corridor programs that would develop entire phases or geographic sections of high-speed rail corridors, that would be subject of a subsequent round of funding to be completed by December 2009; and (3) Planning activities to develop other high-speed projects and corridors, with an initial funding round completed by September 2009. U.S. DOT is expected to publish guidance detailing the eligibility requirements for these funding tracks by mid-June.

IBTTA Board of Directors
San Francisco, April 16-18

I attended the regular board of directors meeting for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association which took place here in the Bay Area.

Progress Seminar
Monterey, April 18

At this annual event sponsored by the chambers of commerce in San Mateo County, I made a presentation at their plenary session on the Transportation 2035 Plan.

Obama Administration Transportation Appointments
Washington DC

In recent weeks, President Obama has begun rounding out his team at the U.S. Department of Transportation by appointing the following individuals to key posts:

  • Deputy Secretary – John Porcari, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation
  • Federal Highway Administrator – Victor Mendez, former Secretary of the Arizona Department of Transportation
  • Federal Transit Administrator – Peter Rogoff, Majority Staff Director, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
  • Federal Railroad Administrator – Joe Szabo, Illinois Legislative Board of the United Transportation Union
  • Federal Aviation Administrator – Randy Babbitt, President of the Airline Pilots Association
  • National Traffic Safety Administrator – Chuck Hurley, President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Map of the Month

The map of the month depicts the 10 high-speed rail corridors (shown in red) identified in President Obama’s strategic plan released last week. The process of designating these high-speed rail corridors actually has occurred over the past two decades, with the first corridors (including California) identified by the Secretary of Transportation in 1992.


2008 Annual Report

We have published MTC’s FY 2007-08 annual report entitled “A Legacy of Landmarks”. The report highlights key connections between the Bay Area’s many Depression-era landmarks and the 21st century investments we are making today. Please contact staff if you would like additional copies to distribute in your communities.

Monthly Operational Statistics

The monthly report on the performance of MTC’s operating programs:

Upcoming Events

April 23-24 — SAFETEA Commission Advocacy Visits, Washington DC
April 28 — Senate Commerce Committee Testimony, Washington DC
April 29 — MTC Advocacy Visits, Sacramento
May 5 — Senate Transportation Committee Testimony on ITS, Sacramento
May 13 — BAAQMD Advisory Committee Presentation, San Francisco

Previous Executive Director's Reports