Voters in 3 States Approve Nearly $600 Million for Transportation Improvements

Voters approved Tuesday five state and local transportation-related referendums and ballot initiatives, sending a clear signal that Americans support investment in transportation infrastructure, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.In the largest measure, 81% of voters in Arkansas approved $575 million in bonds to finance transportation improvements.

Scott Bennett, director of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, told the Arkansas News Bureau that renewing the bond program, first authorized in 1999, is expected to generate about $1 billion in federal and state funds to improve more than 400 miles of interstate highway — creating an estimated 28,000 jobs without raising taxes.

“I want to thank the public for their support of this important proposal,” Bennett said in a statement. “Today’s vote is evidence that the people are pleased with the way our interstates have been improved in recent years. All that was being asked was that we be able to continue using this funding mechanism on future Interstate improvements.”

Four other measures were approved during Tuesday’s election:

• Logan County, Colorado, maintained its current sales-tax rate. Since 2007, a 0.1% portion of the sales tax has been used to help support the South Platte Valley Regional Transportation Authority’s Prairie Express bus service.
• Fort Lupton, Colorado, extended its 0.5% street sales tax through 2021. The tax generates special capital improvement funds for the construction and repairs of streets.
• Hayes Township, Michigan, renewed a road millage that expired in December 2010. Voters decided to reestablish collection of 1 mill, which amounts to $1 per $1,000 of taxable value of a home, for five years. The revenue will be used for road repairs and maintenance in the township.
• Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, Michigan, continued support for a bus service. Voters agreed to renew the current transportation levy of 0.3454 mills for five years, which amounts to about 35 cents per $1,000 assessed value. The bus service relies on the mill rate for one-third of its overall budget.

Three local transportation ballot measures failed Tuesday in Colorado and Michigan, according to ARTBA. A ninth referendum, which would have restricted tolling in Washington state, failed with 51.6% of voters rejecting the proposal.

ARTBA’s ballot initiative report is available at www.artba.org/ballot. Information regarding opposition to Washington state’s measure is available at voteno1125.com.