DOT: Intermodal connectors are in rough shape

By Staff -- Logistics Management, 2/1/2001

The nation's intermodal connectors - highways that connect seaports, airports, rail yards, and pipelines with the national highway system - are often in poor condition and go begging for money to fund improvements. That was the conclusion of a report sent to Congress by Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater just before he turned the Department of Transportation over to his successor, Norman Mineta.

The report, prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), evaluated the condition of designated connections to intermodal freight terminals and identified impediments to improving those connectors.

The FHWA studied 1,222 miles of connectors. Researchers found that the pavement for 8 percent of those miles was in poor or very poor condition. Fifteen percent of roads leading to ocean and river ports were in very poor condition. Next were truck/rail connectors, with 12 percent in poor or very poor condition. Pipeline and airport roadways were best off, with 7 percent in poor condition.

Airports also came out on top in regard to annual investments in road maintenance and repair. The average annual expenditure for airport connectors over three years was $347,000 per mile. Ports spent an average of $136,000 per year, truck/rail connectors $118,000, and pipelines just $55,000 annually. When the five largest projects were excluded, however, those numbers changed. Airports were left with $79,000 annually per mile, truck/rail connectors received investments of $66,000 per mile, ports were down to $41,000, and pipelines received $12,000 per mile. That compares unfavorably with average spending per mile for the entire national highway system (NHS) of $102,100.

The study confirmed what freight-industry observers have been saying for years: Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) don't understand the importance of freight transportation and are using most of their federal funding for passenger-related projects. "States and MPOs often see freight as a low priority when compared with the pressing needs of passenger travel. NHS connectors are 'orphans' in the traditional state and MPO planning processes," the report said.

"The study confirms concerns that ports have expressed for years, that freight projects are not getting a fair share of investment dollars," said Kurt Nagle, president of the American Association of Port Authorities, in a statement. "The Department [of Transportation] and Congress should review the current funding programs and look at options tailored to promote funding for freight mobility and port access."