Ports and Waterways:A State DOT Perspective

Secretary Sherri H. LeBas, P.E.April 29, 2015

MAP-21

MAP-21 Freight Provisions

• National Freight Networko Primary Network: 27,000

mileso Critical Rural Freight

Corridors

MAP-21 Freight Provisions

• National Freight Advisory Committeeo Tasked to develop a “Condition and Performance” Report

with recommendations.

• Encourage State Freight Planso Incentives of 95/5 Interstate and 90/10 Highways for freight

projects in the State Freight Plan

Statewide Transportation Plan

2003 2015

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 SCOWTo 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

DOTD National Involvement

What’s next?

• Transportation for new energy production • Balancing economic growth with safety and

preservation• Leadership

Current Organization2011-Present

Other Offices

Organizational StructureRecommended by MMAC

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.