Study shows challenges facing rural transportation; webinar to explore steps government can take

Rising congestion in tourist destinations, roads ill-equipped to handle increasing energy and agricultural output, and emerging cities that are not connected to the Interstate system are a few of the problems affected rural transportation identified in a new report from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The report argues "more investment is needed in America's rural transportation system to keep agriculture, new energy products, and freight moving; improve access for the travel, recreation, and tourism industries; connect new and emerging cities; and to ensure reliable access to key defense installations," AASHTO says in a news release.

The group reports 66 cities with populations greater than 50,000, including one state capital, do not have immediate access to the Interstate system, and identifies the graying of America as a transportation problem. "In 2008, almost one out of eight people aged 65 and older lived in rural areas," AASHTO says. "This elderly population exceeds 9.6 million people and relies heavily on rural roads and public transit systems for their transportation."

To ensure connectivity of rural and urban America, the group argues any reauthorization of federal transportation legislation should "continue to fund rural portions of the Interstate Highway System and other federal-aid highways that connect America, double federal investment in rural transit systems to meet rising demand and expand the existing capacity of the Interstate system, upgrade rural routes to Interstate standards, and connect newly urbanized areas to the Interstate system." (Read more) "Association director John Horsley said that, in the short term, Congress needs to extend the funding at present levels until a new bill can be crafted. Horsley and other speakers said $600 billion would be enough to expand roads' capacity and make them safer," reports Chuck Bartels of The Associated Press reports.


Those interested in continuing the rural transportation reform conversation can register for the National Rural Assembly's upcoming rural transportation policy webinar. "With the federal transportation reauthorization bill pending, the nation has an opportunity to modernize, strengthen and integrate the transportation systems that connect rural people and places to each other and urban commercial centers, while protecting the landscapes, habitat and livelihoods of rural communities," the Rural Assembly says, noting "the webinar will cover upcoming federal transportation legislation and focus on rural transportation challenges and opportunities." (Register here)