CALPIRG Blog

As states like California grapple with decisions about what kinds of transportation projects to use stimulus dollars to build, this 2009 Growth and Transportation Survey couldn't be more timely.

Now that the President signed the stimulus bill, CALPIRG is working to prioritize transportation funding for road and bridge safety and repair, public transit infrastructure, and expansion of bike and pedestrian routes.

We've been working closely with California groups like Safe Routes to Schools National Partnership and national groups like Smart Growth America. Earlier this month we sent a letter to the legislature signed by thirty organizations outlining our priorities.

Here's the full release from the Realtors Association.

Americans Agree: Smart Growth Approach to Transportation Helps Build Communities

WASHINGTON, DC - An overwhelming majority of Americans believe restoring existing roads and bridges and expanding transportation options should take precedence over building new roads, according to a survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors® and Transportation for America.

The 2009 Growth and Transportation Survey describes what Americans think about how their communities are handling development and how the transportation needs of communities can best be met.

"Realtors® build communities and know how important an organized transportation structure is in supporting neighborhood growth," said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. "A well planned investment in transportation will help create more livable and vibrant communities."

To accommodate future U.S. population growth, which is expected to increase by 100 million by 2050, Americans favor improving intercity rail and transit, walking and biking over building new highways. When asked what the federal government's top priority should be for 2009 transportation funding, half of all respondents recommended maintaining and repairing roads and bridges, while nearly one third said "expanding and improving bus, rail, and other public transportation." Only 16 percent said "expanding and improving roads, highways, freeways and bridges."

When asked about approaches to addressing traffic, 47 percent preferred improving public transportation, 25 percent chose building communities that encourage people not to drive, and 20 percent preferred building new roads. Fifty-six percent of those surveyed believe the federal government is not devoting enough attention to trains and light rail systems, and three out of four favor improving intercity rail and transit.

The 2009 Growth and Transportation Survey was conducted by Hart Research Associates, January 5-7. Hart Research Associates telephoned 1,005 adults living in the U.S. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.