Volume 3 Issue 1.indd - Parsons Brinckerhoff

• One of the smallest, but potentially most
significant, programs allocated $1.5 billion to
the Secretary of Transportation for discretionary
investments across the board, going beyond
the traditional modal “silos.” The Secretary
can allocate up to $200 million of this fund to
leverage projects under the Transportation
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)
program, which is an in-house equivalent of an
national infrastructure bank. The balance of $1.3
billion can be used for a wide variety of projects
unconstrained by traditional modal definitions
but allocated on a competitive basis to projects
that will have a significant impact on the nation,
a metropolitan area, or a region. A senior
Department of Transportation official recently
stated their intent to invest in so-called “last
mile” projects that fill gaps and create intermodal
connections. In past cases, such as the Alameda
Corridor project at the Ports of Los Angeles and
Long Beach, such flexible federal funds have
proven to be the catalyst in unlocking substantial
public and private contributions to projects that
meet important needs.
In addition to the benefits provided through direct
investment in projects, the ARRA also is providing indirect
benefits by acting as a stabilizing force for transportation
agencies and the transportation market overall. Over
the previous year, the combination of higher fuel prices,
reduced travel, and the economic slowdown led to
significant declines in traditional revenues, forcing many
state and local agencies to delay or cancel projects. The
infusion of the ARRA funding, especially without the usual
required non-federal match, is helping make the dip in
programs shallower, and keeping high priority projects
moving forward.
The first test for the Recovery Act will be how well it
performs in supporting the turnaround of the American
economy. Beyond that, its principles of targeted
investment, transparency, and accountability suggest
that future transportation legislation—notably the
upcoming Surface Transportation Authorization Act—
can demonstrate that federal funds can contribute to a
sound, balanced transportation system that can be a
foundation for future growth and prosperity.
Mort Downey has more than 50 years of distinguished public service, including eight years as the U.S. Deputy
Secretary of Transportation. Most recently, Mort led President Obama’s Transition Team for USDOT and he served
as a senior advisor to Secretary LaHood during the Senate confirmation process. He is currently the Chairman of PB
Consult (the Strategic Consulting division of PB), where he provides advisory services on federal legislation, policy
development, infrastructure finance, and transportation market trends. His prior experience also includes service as
the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York, the
Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs at USDOT, and the first transportation program analyst for the U.S. House
of Representatives Committee on the Budget.
M.A., New York University; B.A., Yale University
Jeff Morales’s background provides him with a unique perspective and insight into transportation issues at the federal,
state, and local levels. Notably, he most recently served as one of the key individuals on President Obama’s USDOT
Transition Team. He is currently the Director of Markets for the Americas Operations of PB, but he also has considerable
experience in the public sector. As Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Jeff managed
a $10 billion program and more than 23,000 employees working to build, maintain and operate the largest state
transportation system in the U.S. Jeff also served as Executive Vice President of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA),
where he spearheaded major reforms at the nation’s second-largest transit agency. Prior to his tenure at the CTA,
he was a senior staff member with former Vice President Al Gore’s National Performance Review and he was Issues
Director of the White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security in 1996-1997. He also held senior positions at
the U.S. Department of Transportation and on the staff of the U.S. Senate.
B.S., George Washington University
5 Vol. 3 • Issue 1 |