Ports and Waterways: A State DOT Perspective Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, P.E. April 29, 2015
MAP-21
MAP-21 Freight Provisions National Freight Network o Primary Network: 27,000 miles o Critical Rural Freight Corridors
MAP-21 Freight Provisions National Freight Advisory Committee o Tasked to develop a “Condition and Performance” Report with recommendations. Encourage State Freight Plans o Incentives of 95/5 Interstate and 90/10 Highways for freight projects in the State Freight Plan
Statewide Transportation Plan
Proposed Federal Legislation New Federal Freight Program Grow America Revenue for multi-modal freight TIGER
Water Resources Reform and Development Act Corps navigation mission Pilot Program to contribute resources Bottom Line Report
Water Resources Reform and Development Act 100% Federal Maintenance on Channels up to 50 feet deep Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Inland Waterway Users Trust Fund
State Role and Response
Louisiana Ports Priority Program
Impact of Landside Congestion at Ports A nationwide problem Congestion at 16 ports o $795 Million impact on imports o $311 Million impact exports
What is Louisiana doing about Congestion? New Orleans Rail Gateway Study Connectors program
Waterway Challenges Baptiste Collette HNC AGMAC
Other Challenges at a State Level Backlog of road projects Maintenance Revenue Emerging competition for funds
The Challenges at a National Level Panama Canal Expansion Mississippi River Deepening
DOTD National Involvement American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
DOTD National Involvement DOTD Secretary, Chairmanship of SCOWT o AASHTO Annual Meeting in D.C. o SCOWT legislative meeting in D.C. o SCOWT partners with Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative to restore container on barge/vessel to M55 and M35
DOTD National Involvement Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative Home of the Dutch Ambassador Met with Congressional Delegation
DOTD National Involvement
What’s next? Transportation for new energy production Balancing economic growth with safety and preservation Leadership
Current Organization 2011-Present Secretary Asst. Sec. Of Multimodal Planning Deputy Asst. Sec. of Multimodal Planning Highway Safety Data Management Transportation Planning Deputy Asst. Sec. Intermodal Aviation Marine and Rail Ports Public Transportation Chief Engineer Deputy Assistant Public Works Program Water Resources Other Offices
Organizational Structure Recommended by MMAC Secretary Asst. Sec. Planning Deputy Asst. Sec. Planning and Prog. Highway Safety Data Management Transportation Planning Public Transportation LOTA Commissioner Multimodal Commerce Deputy Commissioner Ports and Waterways Aviation Freight and Passenger Rail Development Commercial Trucking Chief Engineer Deputy Asst. Sec. PW Public Works Prog. Water Resources Other Offices
Commission’s Report DOTD support functions remain. A separate Budget Unit be established for the Office of Multimodal Commerce comparable to what is currently funded. The Commissioner be appointed concurrent with the term of the next governor. The Commissioner become a member of LaBIC Urges the commission to further promote access to all industry stakeholders to LED’s Marketing Resources Data Base Encourages ports and airports to enroll in LED’s “Request-for Information” circulation.