It took months of explaining to federal officials just to gain approval for the plan because it is on a federal highway - even though the Utah Department of Transportation is spending only state money for the $10 million project.
Peters is backing a "Metro Mobility Program" that would decrease reliance on congressionally earmarked funds for specific projects and instead let states and metropolitan transportation authorities decide how to spend federal money.
"I don't even have to be involved in the future," she predicted at a news conference overlooking afternoon Interstate 15 traffic. "Utah can decide how to spend it."
That is, Utah can make those decisions if Congress agrees with the outgoing Bush administration's plans next year, when it reauthorizes a transportation-spending program. It could be a tough sell with lawmakers who are used to controlling major infrastructure investments. Utah's two senators have said earmarks help ensure that they can assess local needs instead of relying on federal bureaucrats.
Peters said the administration's plan overcomes that problem by giving control to local entities. The U.S. Department of Transportation would begin a grant program to metro areas. Then a locally appointed transportation board would choose funding priorities, without requirements to spend a certain amount on roads and another amount on mass transit. All Washington would require is a cost-benefit analysis to ensure projects are sensible.
UDOT's tolling plan, expected to take effect within two years, will offer electronic scanners to any motorists who want to pay to use express lanes to avoid heavy traffic. They could be charged for the length of roadway they travel in the express lane, and the price could vary depending on how busy the freeway is.
The express lanes run 38 miles along the Wasatch Front and eventually will stretch 76 miles. Motorists may use them now if they drive a low-polluting vehicle, pay a monthly fee of $50 or carry at least one passenger.
Automated tolling is a program that Peters said makes sense and shouldn't need a full bureaucratic review in Washington. But the way the federal system was set up to spend gas taxes a half-century ago, when the emphasis was on building interstates, central authority rests in the Beltway.
UDOT Executive Director John Njord expects express-lane use to increase dramatically when people can decide daily whether they want to pay the toll for a shorter commute. Right now, 1,700 pay the monthly toll.
"I'd love to see it reach 17,000," he said.
bloomis@sltrib.com
