During the "Surface Transportation Authorization: A Discussion with the U.S. Department of Transportation Leadership" workshop, U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari said USDOT officials would not discuss specifics of what the Obama administration might propose in a new surface transportation reauthorization bill, but that the economy would be a central theme.

The U.S. economy can't roll over rusty rails, bumpy roads, and crumbling infrastructure, he said.

"The connection between transportation and America's future has never been more apparent than it is today," Porcari said.

Roy Kienitz, USDOT's undersecretary for policy, said his department is looking at ways to make multimodalism easier, suggesting that it should not be necessary to have four agreements across the modal administrations to fund a single project. USDOT is instead trying to find ways to simplify and increase collaboration across modes, which could require federal statutory changes.

Kienitz said USDOT's authorization proposal will also look at other key issues:

• Fewer Methods of Assistance vs. More Assistance: How will the federal government help fund large projects while encouraging private investment?
• Who Are the Recipients of Federal Aid?: Traditionally, Highway Trust Fund allocations are funneled mostly through state DOTs. But USDOT might consider more ways to fund projects by public ports, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations.
• Certainty vs. Competition: Kienitz said that rather than formula funding, USDOT will seek to fund projects that "give the most bang for the buck."

John Horsley, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials executive director, told the panel that AASHTO supports innovative programs such as the Federal Highway Administration's "Every Day Counts" initiative, which aims to cut project delivery times.

"We were thrilled that the president requested a top-to-bottom review," Horsley said, referring to the recent presidential executive order calling for streamlining federal regulations and requirements. (see Jan. 21 AASHTO Journal story)

Robert Rivkin, USDOT's general counsel, said while the department waits for specific guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, USDOT is seeking input on its policies and regulations from the public and stakeholders such as state DOTs.

FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez said there's real excitement for the Every Day Counts initiative around the country, "but the issue we are facing [is] we need to take a look at the processes and see whether we can do [project delivery] smarter, faster, and better."

When asked whether Americans still have an appetite for building big projects, Porcari expressed optimism about the ability of transportation investment to spur economic growth. "The recovery act showed in a transparent way that projects can have an economic benefit right away," Porcari said. "We need to be making the case [for investments] and making it explicitly enough for people to see the benefits."

But transportation investments should not be only on new capacity, he noted. When asked about the apparent lack of funds for maintenance and preservation, Porcari responded that "state of good repair is the center of what we are doing. It needs to be the first call on funds."

Horsley asked Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo for an update on the progress of obligating $8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for high-speed rail.

Szabo replied that FRA is substantially ahead of the statutory schedule to obligate the funds by September 2012, even suggesting that the administration could beat that deadline by a year. Currently $4.3 billion, about 54%, is obligated to specific work on specific projects.

"We have remained committed to the president's vision," Szabo said. (President Barack Obama stressed his commitment to developing a high-speed-rail network during Tuesday's State of the Union address -- see related story)

Porcari praised the states that are working to advance high-speed-rail projects and corridors. Porcari pointed out that in 25 years, a projected 70 million more people will live in the United States.

"How are we going to accommodate that?" Porcari asked. "It's hard to image that without high-speed rail."

Regarding states that have recently turned back high-speed-rail funds, Kienitz said that rail is a state-driven program, and that there are many more requests for money than there are funds available. Kienitz also warned that the program is still in its early stages.

"Don't confuse the short-term with the long-term," Kienitz warned. "There will be bumps along the way."