Sustainable Infrastructure

The KC Chamber supports appropriate investment in transportation infrastructure including new and innovative ways to help capture federal investment and fund all modes of transportation throughout the state and region and for the newly established Transportation Task Force to promote and study regional approaches to public transit and transportation planning. The upgrade of roads, highways, waterways, rail, and air travel in an efficient and cost-effective manner will allow the state to meet its transportation-related local, regional and statewide safety, economic development and quality of life priorities. The Chamber takes the following positions:

• Support for increased state-wide transportation funding to enable key regional priorities, including public transportation.
• Oppose additional transfers from the State Highway Fund and support funding as outlined in the 2010 T-Works Plan.
• Support policies that encourage transportation innovation and policies that enable and encourage autonomous and connected vehicles to be deployed in a safe, efficient and effective manner that promotes local innovation, decision-making and public-private partnerships.

The KC Chamber encourages investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reliability and supports policies that provide balance between public health and environmental protections without unreasonable economic burdens on industry, business and Kansas residents. The Chamber takes the following positions:

• Support development and voluntary use of domestic and renewable energy resources that are considered economical and environmentally-friendly, to deliver energy to the Kansas City region and other high demand areas.
• Support policies and financing options that encourage expansion and development of energy and green infrastructure including alternative fuel and transportation.

The KC Chamber supports appropriate investment in transportation infrastructure including new and innovative ways to help capture federal investment and fund all modes of transportation throughout the state and region. The upgrade of roads, highways, waterways, rail, and air travel in an efficient and cost-effective manner will allow the state to meet its transportation-related local, regional and statewide safety, economic development and quality of life priorities. The Chamber takes the following positions:

• Support for adequate state-wide transportation funding to enable key regional priorities.
• Support measures to encourage regional approaches to public transit and transportation planning.
• Support policies that enable and encourage autonomous and connected vehicles to be deployed in a safe, efficient and effective manner that promotes local innovation, decision-making and public-private partnerships.
• Support providing state and local jurisdictions with new and innovative policy and tax tools, such as transportation districts, vehicle miles traveled (VMT)/fuel tax adjustments, user-based fees, mobility authorities and public/private partnerships, with revenues dedicated to meeting the funding jurisdiction’s critically important transportation priorities.

The KC Chamber encourages investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reliability and supports policies that provide balance between public health and environmental protections without unreasonable economic burdens on industry, business and Missouri residents. The Chamber takes the following positions:

• Support development and voluntary use of domestic and renewable energy resources that are considered economical and environmentally-friendly, to deliver affordable and reliable energy to the Kansas City region and other high demand areas.
• Support policies that encourage expansion and development of energy and green infrastructure including alternative fuel, transportation and financing options.

Safe and efficient transportation is vital to the personal welfare, economic health, and security of our nation and the Greater Kansas City region. The KC Chamber urges continued innovative and sustainable funding measures while supporting responsible infrastructure policies and regulation that give appropriate and strategic consideration to regional economic and mobility needs and priorities. Accordingly, the KC Chamber supports:

• Funding: Sustainable and innovative investment solutions to fully fund the Highway Trust Fund through multiple appropriate revenue sources (including public-private partnerships, gas and alternate fuel tax increases, expanded tolling, user fees, price-managed lanes and networks, TIFIA program expansion or new local/regional tax or fee initiatives or powers) that protect and preserve our transportation system.
• Delivery Tools: Expanded use of innovative delivery tools, such as public-private partnerships (P3s), design-build, dynamic-design-bid-build delivery, construction manager/general contractor, to support new transportation capacity and reconstruct existing facilities in ways that more quickly and broadly boost the economies of the area and the nation.
• TIGER Grants: Continuation of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant program. 
• Transit & Active Transportation: Identification of and support for adequate funding for transit (including USDOT Small Starts and bus-rapid transit), sidewalks and trails as a means for communities to improve local and regional mobility, increase long-term economic development and attract and retain residents and businesses for which these modes are a critical need or amenity. 
• Airport Facilities & Aviation: Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and measures to fund, maintain, improve, and modernize airport infrastructure at Kansas City International Airport.
• Marine Highway Corridor: Efforts that would increase funding for commercial navigation projects such as channel, ports and harbor infrastructure throughout the Marine Highway Corridor system, with emphasis on the M-70 route between Kansas City and Pittsburgh, PA, and on the M-29 connector to Sioux City, IA. (PORT KC)
• Multi-Modal: Create and implement a long-term, strategic plan of federal policies and investments that strengthens regional and national multi-modal surface and maritime freight investments and corridors, resulting in broader, more cost-effective access to national and global markets. 
• Rail Service: Continued efforts to reduce freight and passenger train bottlenecks throughout the nation including support for the national rail passenger network and operation of the Southwest Chief Amtrak route, the Missouri River Runner and the proposed Heartland Flyer.
• Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Expanded funding and access to expertise for planning, designing and building policy and infrastructure frameworks to cope with likely changes induced by the expanding use of connected and autonomous vehicles.