Statement of Senator Kent Conrad Introduction of Rural Mobility and Access for America Act

Statement of Senator Conrad

June 12, 2010

Mr. CONRAD:  Mr. President, I am pleased to join my colleague Senator Barrasso in introducing the Rural Mobility and Access for America Act. 

The transportation challenges in rural states are unique.  In my state of North Dakota, we have more miles of road per capita than any state in the nation. There are more than 11,000 miles of highway in North Dakota, which translates into approximately 166 miles of road for every 1,000 people in North Dakota.  We  have a very large road network with a small population base to support it.  In fact, North Dakota only has 16 people supporting each lane mile of road.  The national average is 129 people per lane mile. 

Highways in North Dakota and other rural states connect the nation and help ensure the effective movement of people and goods across the country.    Today, the highways in the western part of my state are being impacted by a rise in truck traffic as a result of the oil boom occurring from the development of the Bakken formation.  Our roads and highways are seeing a dramatic increase in trucks that are transporting supplies to the oil fields or oil to gathering lines.  

The agriculture industry is also reliant on a strong, nationally connected road network to move products and services.   Approximately 69 percent of the goods shipped annually from North Dakota are carried by truck.  Significant and growing agricultural businesses throughout my state rely on the road network to receive raw goods and transport their finished products to market.

In addition, we have a large percentage of truck traffic that crosses our state.  Sixty percent of the truck traffic does not originate or terminate within the state, but it still has an impact on our highways.  In the next 10 years, commercial trucking in North Dakota is expected to increase by 42 percent. 

Discussions surrounding the reauthorization of the highway bill have focused on congestion and the needs of large metropolitan areas.  Some of the proposals being advanced shift money from the traditional highway formula programs to set-asides for large metro areas.  However, maintaining a nationally connected system requires substantial investments in highways in and across rural areas as well. 

It is important that our transportation policy continues to recognize the importance of investment in rural states, like North Dakota.   The bill I am introducing with Senator Barrasso makes certain rural states are not left behind.   Under this proposal, if a metro mobility program is included in the highway reauthorization, a corresponding rural program would be funded at a level equal to one-third of the amount provided for the metro mobility program.   The funds would be distributed evenly to the 18 states that qualify under our bill, and the states could use the funds for any of the eligible uses under the Surface Transportation Program.

Our bill provides an important balance to make sure our roads, both urban and rural, get the support necessary to maintain a nationally connected system.  I urge my colleagues to support it.