AASHTO News, 27 November 2013
WASHINGTON — Iowa Department of Transportation officials have just concluded a series of face-to-face meetings across the state designed to educate key influencers about the importance of transportation.
In a new Two Minute State DOT Update video posted today on Transportation TV, Paul Trombino III, Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, discusses the importance of this outreach effort.
“We want to have a transportation funding conversation that begins by gaining an understanding that transportation matters. It is important to everybody, every day of their lives,” said Trombino. “This is a conversation about meeting the needs of our customers — Iowa residents, farmers, and businesses — and not necessarily a conversation about the gas tax.”
Recent reports indicate that Iowa’s system of state roadways is facing an annual shortfall of $215 million.
Trombino said Iowa DOT officials have held several meetings with lawmakers to discuss a menu of funding options. The goal, he said, was to get everyone to think “outside the box” as they addressed both the problems and solutions.
“We’re hoping to build consensus as we move toward the 2014 legislative session, around a good transportation funding discussion and potentially legislation that addresses our structure and fixes our long-term issues, “said Trombino.
Watch this Two-Minute State DOT Update video at http://www.TransportationTV.org.
To learn more about Iowa’s funding concepts, contact the Iowa DOT at 515-233-7964 or email email hidden; JavaScript is required.
