Staker & Parson Meets with Utah's Congressional Delegation

Salt Lake City, UT -- May 5,2003 -- Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In Held in Washington DC Raises Awareness of Road Conditions

Staker & Parson Companies visited with Utah's Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. last week, as part of the Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In. Congress and the Bush Administration are currently considering provisions for a new transportation bill as TEA 21, the current bill, will expire in September of 2003.

"Our goal in meeting with Congress was to advocate for adequate investment in the nation's federal highway program," said Scott Parson, Vice President for Staker & Parson Companies. "We support any funding that will provide our nation and state a means of maintaining and improving our transportation investment. A significant investment will be required at the federal and state level if we are to maintain our world-class transportation system."

The Road Information Program states that poor road conditions are a factor in an estimated 12,600 fatalities each year. The same study estimates that 4.3 billion hours per year are wasted on congested roads at a cost in excess of $47 billion. It also shows that cost of congestion to US businesses has more than tripled in recent years affecting the highway transportation system¹s vital role in moving products to market.

Salt Lake City,UT--May 5,2003--Staker & Parson Companies research into Utah road conditions found that according to the Road Information Program:


• Roadway Conditions are a factor in an estimated 30 percent of traffic fatalities. There were 292 traffic fatalities in 2001 in Utah.
• 83 percent of the $42 billion worth of commodities delivered annually from sites in Utah are transported on the state's highways.
• Driving on roads in need of repair costs Utah motorists $385 million a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs -- $257 per motorist.
• 24 percent of Utah's major urban roads are congested.
• 31 percent of Utah's major roads are in poor condition.
• Vehicle travel on Utah's highways increased by 52 percent from 1991 to 2001. Utah's population grew by 32 percent during 1990-2001.

"Proper maintenance, management, and construction of roads now will improve safety, reduce pollution, and make our economy more efficient" Mr. Parson said. "We will continue to help educate and promote transportation issues with Congress to ensure that measurements are taken to provide safe and proper roadways for our community."

A 2002 Conditions and Performance (C&P) Report by the FHWA states that an annual investment of $75.9 billion (constant 2000 dollars) is required over the next twenty years by all levels of government to maintain our nation's road conditions at current levels. The report also states that an average annual investment of $106.9 billion (2000 dollars) by all levels of government is required to improve road and bridge conditions. To address these needs, an average annual Federal investment of between $47.8 billion and $62 billion is necessary. This compares to the fiscal year 2003 federal investment of $31.6 billion.
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