Gov. Doug Ducey proclaims April 9 as Stand Up 4 Transportation Day in Arizona. Arizona is part of a national movement that emphasizes the critical need of federal dollars for local transportation projects.
Prior to the official declaration of the Governor’s proclamation, the state’s largest and most diverse transportation vehicles, including a snow plow; front loader; public transit vehicles from Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma; and street striper and sweeper were parading down Central Avenue. They were in central Phoenix to make a statement that Arizona must have federal funding support for transportation infrastructure and projects.
The event included remarks by U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego; Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton; Mesa Vice Mayor and Valley Metro Rail Board Chair Dennis Kavanaugh; Maricopa County Supervisor and Valley Metro Board member Steve Gallardo; Chandler Councilmember, MAG Transportation Policy Committee Chair and State Transportation Board member Jack Sellers; and David Martin, President, Arizona Chapter of Associated General Contractors.
Stand Up 4 Transportation is part of National Infrastructure Day. Today, 353 organizations hosted events across the U.S. The loss of federal funds would impact bus and train service, as well as jeopardize new service and long-term transportation projects. Here are just a few of the potential impacts if transportation funding legislation is not secured beyond the May 31 expiration date:
- 38,000 buses or 57 percent of the nation’s public transit bus fleet would not be replaced.
- Overall, 66 new public transit projects could be stalled. Many of these projects serve as a catalyst for economic development in every region of the country.
- Rail maintenance, expansion and rail car replacement would be significantly impacted.
- Small and rural communities would be adversely affected because a greater percentage of their total funding is from the federal government.
