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Buzzed driving and the 4th of July don't mix

Today's message is simple, but it needs to be said:

We have much to celebrate this weekend, and we should celebrate safely.

Click on the "Play" arrow to hear a public-service announcement from me on safe driving.

In the past few months I've enjoyed the opportunity to travel across the country and visit with many different people in many different places. I am so proud of the people I've met. And, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to witness the diverse bounty America offers.

As we celebrate this 4th of July, I hope everyone has an opportunity to appreciate these things.

Another development I'm celebrating today is a report from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit the lowest level since 1961 and fatalities in the first three months of 2009 continue to decrease. But, we can do better. So, as we celebrate this weekend, I hope everyone will consider NHTSA's reminder that "Buzzed driving is drunk driving." During the July 4th holiday period in 2007, there were 200 traffic-related fatalities. Of those, 44% involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Many of us mistakenly think that having one too many will not impair our driving ability. That is not the case. You don’t have to be ‘falling down drunk’ to be a threat to yourself and others on the road.

Right-click on the image below and press "Play" to view message

I'd like to come to work on Monday and have something else to celebrate, that Americans took to heart NHTSA's message that buzzed driving and the 4th of July don't mix.

Safe travels, everyone-

California's ports: transportation leadership at work

Today I toured the Port of Oakland. Now, taken together, our seaports account for roughly 8.4 million American jobs and add nearly $2 trillion to our economy. And, as the 4th busiest container port in the United States, Oakland is a significant economic driver for California and the Northwest region.

So, it’s good to know that Oakland’s port commissioners recently approved a Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan to reduce diesel pollution from port sources by 85% by 2020.

As we seek to reduce emissions and energy use in transportation--whether on water, land, or in the air--this is an important step.

I, and Senator Boxer who was with me today, also applaud the ports of Stockton and West Sacramento for joining with Oakland to develop new waterborne export and import options. Together, these coastal ports will serve as a gateway to the heart of California’s agricultural region, helping local farmers expand their export options and reduce transportation costs.

This all-water 'highway' will create jobs, take trucks off congested roads, and improve air quality.

That's transportation for the 21st century.

Report: Better Roads = Safer Passage

For those traveling on this busy 4th of July weekend, I encourage you not to protest too vigorously the congestion caused by construction zones. An eye-opening report released yesterday clearly indicates that better roadways are safer roadways.

 

Published by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation on behalf of the Transportation Construction Coalition, the report, titled “On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways," is a wake-up call that we must get serious about funding road repairs.

The report concludes that more than half of U.S. highway fatalities are related to deficient roadway conditions. Now, this is not to suggest that we shouldn't also minimize drunk driving and maximize seat-belt use. But, it is astonishing to learn that deficient roadways contribute each year to 22,000 fatalities and $217 billion in damage.

“Concerns about swine flu pale in comparison to the number of crash victims I treat,” said Dr. Jared Goldberg, an emergency room physician in Alexandria, VA. “In medical terms, highway fatalities and injuries have reached epidemic proportions, and efforts to prevent further spread of this plague are essential. It's a lot simpler than developing a vaccine: fixing dangerous roads would help prevent traffic crashes.”

Remember that the report indicates only that faulty roadways contribute to crashes. However, the report's author, Dr. Ted Miller, warns against taking too much comfort in that:

“Safer drivers and safer cars remain vitally important, but safer roadways are critical to saving lives, preventing injuries and reducing costs. It is far more practical to make the roadway environment more forgiving and protective.”

I'll post tomorrow about reducing an all-too-common behavioral factor. But, for now, this report offers one more good reason to get our roads fixed up, and fixed up soon. That's what the Obama Administration has been doing with the $16.1 billion in highway stimulus funds we've obligated to over 4800 projects across the country. And that's what we will continue doing.

Safe driving, everyone--

Portland Streetcar suits this 'livable community'

The unveiling of the new American-manufactured streetcar in Portland today and the tour of the Oregon Iron Works plant afterward were something to see.



Here's the video from the unveiling (note the nice job they did scrolling a welcome message across the streetcar):

I'm not sure I've ever seen a group of workers so proud of what they've built together. If you look below at the picture of everyone unwrapping the streetcar, I think you'll see what I mean.



"I know that this was a dream come true for many of you," I told them later at the streetcar assembly plant. What I didn't tell them is that an American-manufactured streetcar is something of a dream come true for all of us.

You know, it hasn't been easy to fund streetcars in this country. But, what I saw in Portland today has impressed me. As I told the folks at Oregon Iron Works, I'm committed to seeing that the streetcar program can be funded with federal dollars. A streetcar is a perfect fit for some communities--certainly Portland sees it as a fit for them--and suiting the needs and qualities of the local population is what livable communities are all about.




I want to thank Congressman Blumenauer for wearing a non-bow tie in my honor today--even if he claims he was "messing" with me. And a heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in today's events.

Much to look forward to in Portland today

I had a great day in Colorado yesterday, and today I'm looking forward to another excellent visit. This time, I'll be in Portland, Oregon, where the Obama Administration's stimulus is helping to fund expansion of the Portland Streetcar.

Why so excited?

The thing about Portland is that public transportation is part of the city's DNA. Streetcars, light rail, and buses are all available to take commuters, residents, and tourists almost anywhere they need to go.

The Portland Streetcar has an even more promising angle working for it: a partnership between Portland and a home-grown manufacturing company, Oregon Ironworks.

This company has built the prototype streetcar we’re unveiling here today. And it’s expected to build the new cars that will run along the tracks here two years from now.

These are the first streetcars to be manufactured in America in nearly 60 years. Yes, manufactured in America. Darn right, I'm excited.

This is a new opportunity to claim the “made in America” label. And, a chance to generate good-paying jobs in the Portland region.

So, I'm looking forward to touring the Oregon Ironworks plant later today. And riding some highly-regarded public transportation.

Not sure if there will be time enough to take a streetcar, light rail, and bus, but I'm glad for the opportunity to visit a community with a range of transportation options—from highways to bike paths to streetcars—that link home, and work, and recreation, just as Portland does.

Governor Kulongoski and Congressmen Blumenaur, DeFazio, Schrader, and Wu are happy to show off their city's transportation network, and they should be.

Colorado creates jobs, puts stimulus funds to work on highway, bike path 'twofer'

Today in the metro Denver Lakewood area, I helped break ground on a great new stimulus-funded project. The Colorado DOT is not only repaving a section of highway C-470; they are also repaving the bike path alongside that highway.

 

Vehicle traffic on this section of C-470 has grown from 40,000 vehicles per day in 2004 to 75,000 in 2008; now, that's a pretty substantial increase, and the improvements we broke ground on today will help smooth that ride and reduce congestion.

 

The bike path is also very popular and--in addition to facilitating non-car commuting--connects parks all over the area. I'm told that over 200,000 people use it for commuting or recreation each year.

 

"This project is key to easing traffic congestion and ensuring access to the metro area for commuters and recreational users," said Congressman Ed Perlmutter. "Investments in these types of projects are already helping our aging infrastructure and saving and creating good paying jobs."

 

So, we're keeping people employed or helping people find new jobs, and reducing congestion, and making it easier for people to choose not to drive. That's the kind of triple-threat the Obama Administration would like to see more of.

I talked with the Denver Post about these and other Administration priorities. You can see video of that interview below.

 

Recovery Act is working in Texas, and across America

Today, day 120 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is the deadline for States to have obligated half of their highway stimulus funds. Deputy Secretary John Porcari marked the deadline in Cedar Hill, Texas.

 

John celebrated reconstruction of a busy intersection thanks to $1.38 million in Recovery Act funding. Safety enhancements for this intersection, at FM1382 and Old Straus Road, have been put off for years due to lack of funding.

 

The Deputy Secretary congratulated the State for meeting its ARRA deadline more than two weeks early, noting, "Your good stewardship of federal recovery dollars means this busy and dangerous interchange can finally get the attention it deserves."

 

Porcari also reminded the audience that this one intersection project would directly employ 19 people: "I think we can all appreciate the fact that the contractor on this job, Rebcon, has been able to avoid laying anybody off, thanks to the stimulus funds."

 

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, also in attendance, thanked both the US and Texas DOTs:

"This project is putting people to work and will drastically improve highway safety for the driving public.  I commend Secretary LaHood and his team for the outstanding job they are doing in getting funds obligated quickly."

DOT ready to implement new car buyer incentive program

Earlier this week, President Obama signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). This program helps consumers pay for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles when they trade in less fuel-efficient cars or trucks.

Stimulating the automobile industry while improving the environment and reducing fuel consumption--these are outcomes the DOT is pleased to support.

Congress and the Obama Administration recognize this is an important time for the automobile industry.  And, the CARS program will help boost car and truck sales. Moreover, since the auto industry has improved vehicle safety and reduced vehicle emissions over the years, we are also excited about a program that puts vehicles on the road that are safer, pollute less, and get more miles to the gallon than the vehicles they replace.

CARS will be implemented by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It's a new responsibility this department welcomes; I know the folks in NHTSA stand ready to fulfill their new charge.

To receive the maximum rebate of $4,500, the new car must have a fuel economy rating of at least 10 miles-per-gallon greater than the car to be traded.  To receive an incentive of $3,500, the same car would be traded for one that gets at least four miles-per-gallon better gas mileage.

The rules differ slightly for vans, trucks, and SUVs, and there are other requirements. I encourage everyone to learn more about the program from the website, www.cars.gov, or call  NHTSA’s Auto Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Stimulus: 120 days in, States and Territories reach ambitious obligation benchmarks early, DOT creates jobs

Today, I joined Vice President Biden at the White House to announce the fulfillment of important Recovery Act benchmarks.

The Obama Administration has been committed to getting American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars into the economy as quickly as possible. 120 days after ARRA's enactment, the nation's 55 states and territories have done their part well.

And, I'm happy to report that the DOT has reached some milestones of its own.

Thanks to strong DOT partnerships with state and regional stakeholders, every state and territory has met the deadline to obligate 50 percent of their highway recovery funds within 120 days. That's right; every single one.

Now, it's on to creating more jobs and rebuilding more of America's infrastructure.

DOT has already $19 billion--roughly 40% of the $48.1 billion available. Those funds have propelled more than 5,300 projects to repair and rebuild roads, bridges, airport facilities, transit systems, and seaports.

More than 1,900 of these projects are now under way. The Recovery Act is working. And as we reach the height of the summer construction season, more work will soon begin.

Read more below about DOT stimulus milestones...

Oklahoma City an oasis for Federal excellence

The Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City has the largest concentration--5,500--of DOT employees outside of the Washington DC area. The Center occupies 1,100 acres, more than 100 buildings and 3.3 million square feet of space.

So, a townhall meeting on the Center's campus is a bit of an undertaking.

But, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and I did hold a session with several hundred employees. Others were able to tune in through some video monitors set up around the campus. The message Randy and I brought was simple: thanks for the hard work and dedication. We also reminded everyone that "Safety is our number one priority" at DOT and FAA.

 

We were there to learn about the facility's impressive scope--they handle everything from air traffic controller training to air safety research, and will even do some work on the financial end of our ambitious new CARS program.

Administrator Babbitt hopped into a Gulfstream 1000 simulator for a short flight. In case anyone doubts his skills, Randy is one former pilot who can still fly.

But the story of the day was not me or Randy, but the Monroney Center itself, its great facilities, its environmental achievements, and its fantastic employees. Oklahoma City really is an oasis for excellence!