California Legislature Rethinks Funding for Highway Infrastructure

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California) applauds the California Legislature for recommending a new way to fund highway infrastructure. Senate Bill 1077, authored by DeSaulnier (D – Concord), creates a Road Usage Charge (RUC) Technical Advisory Committee to guide the development and implementation of a pilot program to study the potential for a RUC as an alternative to the gas tax. SB 1077 passed both houses and now heads to the governor's desk.

"California's problems with funding transportation improvements are not going away, even as the overall economy improves. The daily wear and tear on our roads, highways and bridges as well as the constant repairs and dire need for improvements to reduce commute times will only become greater as California's resurging economy adds jobs and traffic increases," according to ACEC California's Executive Director Brad Diede.

"It's time to embrace new ideas for solving transportation funding needs in California," said ACEC California's President Mary Erchul, P.E. "The state gas tax is reaching its inherent limit, and we need to explore other options. SB 1077 is the beginning of a potential new direction that will help move California forward."

"ACEC California applauds Governor Brown's desire to invest in highway infrastructure and requests that he sign SB 1077," added Diede.

ACEC California, representing approximately 800 private engineering and land surveying firms, is committed to advancing dialogue on infrastructure-related issues facing California in the 21^st century. To read more about options for long-term road and highway funding, download ACEC California's 2014 Infrastructure Discussion Paper, "Build California Better."

SOURCE The American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California)