Roads, roads, everywhere...

An insightful reader has noticed that much of the recent news has focused on expansion and refurbishment of area roadways, without paying much attention to the other pieces of the transit puzzle - namely, public and alternative transportation.

There's a very good reason why, but it's one that touches off of a lot of nerves around here. Yes...  as usual, the issue lies with the (in)famous Alabama Constitution of 1901. ALDOT's interpretation of the state constitution prohibits it from funding transportation projects other than the construction and refurbishment of roads and bridges. There's a useful fact sheet that summarizes the key issues: Alabama Roadblock - Our Public Transit Gap .

Without trying to editorialize too heavily, this restrictive interpretation of ALDOT's mission has set Alabama's public and alternative transit back by decades. In most states, municipal transit ventures depend on matching funding contributions from state governments to get started. Even in the absence of state funding, Alabama's cities have created public transit systems, but cities have had to shoulder the entire cost of such projects. If the Huntsville Shuttle is any reflection, the consequence is transit systems which offer outdated equipment, limited routes, and a level of service that doesn't meet the needs of the community. This also makes it difficult to create transit systems serving regional areas across multiple cities or counties.

The story is much the same when it comes to alternative transit: ALDOT's attitude is that it isn't their business, and the weight of burden lies with local communities to encourage transit alternatives and improvements and to construct such amenities as bike paths. Ironically, the failure to adopt such alternatives increases the long-term expense of maintaining and improving area roadways. Given the sheer cost of road projects (such as the $3 million/mile figure for the current AL-53 widening), alternative transit and effective public transit would create a useful increase in the capacity of area roads at lower cost.

Until we see reform in Constitutional language and the attitudes of state lawmakes, the status quo will continue. The most effective way to press for alternative transit will be to lobby local officials to demand such services and to support existing transit alternatives. A pre-BRAC study commissioned by the City of Huntsville showed that road construction alone will not solve congestion issues, and alternative transit means need to be considered.