States raising taxes, fees and dept to pay for road repairs
While Congress remains stalled on a long-term plan for funding highways, state lawmakers and governors aren't waiting around.
Nearly one-third of the states have approved measures this year that could collectively raise billions of dollars through higher fuel taxes, vehicle fees and bonds to repair old bridges and roads and relieve traffic congestion, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.
The surge of activity means at least half of the states — from coast to coast, in both Republican and Democratic areas — now have passed transportation funding measures since 2013.
And the movement may not be done yet.
Tennessee's governor is in the midst of a 15-city tour highlighting the state's transportation needs. North Carolina lawmakers are debating a road-bonding proposal. And legislators are returning to work this week in California and Michigan with transportation funding on the agenda.
"I don't know of a state that's not having the conversation" about raising revenue for transportation, said Iowa Transportation Director Paul Trombino III, who is vice president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and whose home state recently raised fuel taxes by 10 cents a gallon.
The widespread focus on transportation funding comes as state officials are becoming frustrated by federal inaction in helping to repair roads and bridges described as crumbling, aging and unsafe.
About 20 percent of the nation's 900,000 miles of interstates and major roads need resurfacing or reconstruction, according to one analysis of federal data. A quarter of the 600,000 bridges are considered structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. That doesn't necessarily mean they are about to fall; it means they are showing worrisome problems or are no longer adequate for today's traffic. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Football player takes over delayed Hartford stadium project
A former college and arena football player has taken over control of the delayed $12 million Dillon Stadium project in Hartford, with plans to construct a new facility for his professional soccer team to play starting with the 2017 season.
James Duckett, CEO of Black Diamond Consulting, has merged his company with the previous contractor for the Dillon Stadium project — Hartford-based Premier Sports Management Group (PSMG) — which originally planned to have the redeveloped stadium complete for the 2016 outdoor soccer season.
Last week, Duckett's company announced a new pro soccer team, Hartford City FC, has joined the Major Arena Soccer League, and will play 10 indoor games at the XL Center starting this November. The goal is to eventually have Hartford City FC also join the North American Soccer League (NASL) to play outdoor games at Dillon Stadium.
"I am excited to bring the outdoor team here, too," Duckett said. "This is just one piece of the pie here, and we are going to have a few more."
Black Diamond plans to privately finance the new professional soccer stadium, Duckett said, but he did not disclose potential financiers.
The Dillon Stadium demolition originally was supposed to be completed by July 7 but has been beset by delays. The city of Hartford, which owns the stadium that sits in Colt Park, retained PSMG to oversee the demolition and construction of a new facility after terminating its tentative deal with the original developer. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE