michael r. christensen, p.e. deputy executive director october 23, 2009 aashto special committee on...
TRANSCRIPT
Michael R. Christensen, P.E.Deputy Executive Director
October 23, 2009
AASHTOSpecial Committee on
Intermodal Transportation and Economic Expansion:
Freight Industry Perspectives and Priorities
Comparison of 1872 to 2008San Pedro Bay
Shoreline
“One of the largest man-made seaports in the world”
Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach Historical Background (Landfill/Overlay)
Top U.S. Trade Gateway – 5th in the World 43% of nation’s imports;
27% of exports $287 billion/year in trade 1 million jobs in California $30 billion in local, state,
and federal tax revenue Part of a Southern California
regional trade corridor that includes the Alameda Corridor and all of the regional transportation agencies stretching to the Nevada border
Current Status: Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach
5
1.TRAPAC - +60 acres
2.Yang Ming - +30 acres
3.China Shipping - +30 acres
4.Evergreen - +55 acres
5.PASHA
6.Channel Deepening
7.Berths 206-209
8.YTI - +80 acres
9.APL - +40 acres
10.Plains All American (Pacific Energy)
7
POLA Projects – We are doing our part
Nationwide ports invest $2B/year in “inside-the-gate” infrastructure
• Freight delays are expensive
• Seaports need good road, rail & marine access to keep product costs down and aid exports
• Enhancing the ability to move goods efficiently helps America be more globally competitive
• Infrastructure commitments by ports are NOT being matched at federal level
Congestion Free Port Access Pays Dividends
Ports with good road, rail, and marine access are key to economic recovery and competitiveness
Halifax
Chicago – 100 hrs
Montreal – 115 hrs
Prince Rupert
Prince George
Toronto – 108 hrs
New Orleans
Halifax
Memphis – 117 hrs
Calgary
CN PROVIDES EXTENSIVE MARKET REACH WITH COMPETITIVE TRANSIT TIMES
If we don’t invest in our national goods movement infrastructure, others will…and take our jobs and tax revenue with them!
Federal funding and support needed for:
• Intermodal freight corridors of regional & national significance
• Freight rail development tax credits & grants
• Incentives for marine highways use & infrastructure development
Funding methods may include:
• Tolls
• Portion of Customs duties
• Infrastructure bank
• Gas/diesel tax increase
• Public/private partnerships
• Freight fee
Freight fee caveats include:
• Any freight mobility trust fund should be fully spent on freight mobility
• Must be levied against all cargo types (not just containerized goods) and at all international gateways (land and sea)
• Return to source: Funds collected at ports should be spent only on port projects, or on corridor projects with a direct nexus to the collection gateway
•Like with TIGER, ports should be eligible direct applicants
Federal Funding & Policy Recommendations
•Enhanced federal partnership is needed in road, rail, marine transportation networks to ensure port investments work
•We need to continue to work with federal leaders to help them understand the value and importance of our nation’s seaports to economic recovery and long-term prosperity
•Successful seaports depend on adequate federal transportation infrastructure investments to allow goods to move efficiently
Seaports are Good Partners