Infrastructure
For economic development to take place, the area's transportation
infrastructure should ensure the expedient movement of people,
cargo, and information. As new projects are implemented, they should
improve the flow of traffic and intermodal applications as well as
enhance the area's reputation as a transportation hub. Additionally,
new laws and regulations should serve to encourage the development
of telecommunications infrastructure to better serve businesses in
an increasingly information-dependent marketplace. To accomplish
this goal, the Chamber will focus its efforts on the following
areas:
ROADS
Support new funding for road construction and
infrastructure improvements.
Monitor the area's ability to complete projects funded as a
result of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Government's
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to ensure that highway
and transit dollars allocated to the area are used.
In cooperation with other area interest groups, actively
pursue completion of the following road/bridge projects:
New Maumee River Bridge
US 24 - Fort to Port
State Route 2 - "Super 2" east of Curtice Road and Byrne Road
to Reynolds Road
US 20 from SR 420 to Woodville
I-475/I-75
Systems interchange at North Cove split
Widen I-475 from Alexis Road to Perrysburg including US
23/Central Avenue and new Dorr Street interchanges
Salisbury and US 20A
Point Place Connector
In collaboration with other interested groups, actively pursue
rehabilitation of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Bridge.
Support efforts to see that ODOT has the matching funds
necessary to take advantage of the federal allocation given in
TEA-21 for roads and public transportation.
Work with the City of Toledo to develop load-limit flexibility
for trucks attempting to make pick-ups or deliveries in areas
bordering on restricted streets.
RAIL
Continue to support the viability of Amtrak and increased service
through Toledo.
Advocate implementation of the Midwest Rail Initiative with the
Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland corridor as a high priority.
Support area efforts for expanded intermodal service.
Promote efforts to preserve abandoned rail lines for future use.
Support the Governor's rail grade separation program and use of
funds for projects in our area, especially the Vickers rail
separation.
TRANSIT
Support completion of the Regional Core Circulator Study for
redevelopment in downtown Toledo.
Support the investigation of cost-effective ways to broaden the
coverage of public transit to include all of Lucas and Wood
counties.
WATER/SEWER
Support the determination of an effective means to address the
costly and inefficient duplication of public investments in sewer
and water infrastructure in our region.
AIR
Promote efforts to protect and enhance the airport's ability to
expand, consistent with the airport's master use plan.
SEAPORT NEEDS
Encourage federal legislators from the St. Lawrence Seaway states
to advocate more strongly for seaway infrastructure needs.
Promote the merging of U.S. and Canadian seaway organizations into
a bi-national agency to operate the seaway.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Oppose legislative efforts to increase the tax rate on new
telecommunications plant and equipment.
Support legislation that will require offsetting tax adjustments
for tax reductions that benefit telecommunications companies by
changing taxes imbedded in bills to taxes which are specifically
enumerated.
Encourage the county auditor's office to maintain maps within the
GIS system, which accurately represent the location of all utility
physical plant installations within the public right of way.
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