NH dead last in transportation funding

Doing a Google for Saftealu, the new transportation funding bill, I see that New Hampshire comes up dead last in funds earmarked to states, and not one earmark is for rail travel in the state.

Anyone surprised?

I would have to say that funding for railroads in the state of NH right now is not the states main concern. NH is having funding issue right now, no question, but it is no different than any other state. If any one can name one state that does not have funding issue, I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO TELL ME. NH is having trouble funding its own schools which with out question is one of there top priorities to fix and there for railroads and projects similar to it, are put on the back burner for now. I often hear people say "Live cheap or Die" for NH, but what people out of state don't realize is there aren't many taxes in NH, meaning "You keep most of your pay check" and that's how people in this state like it.
Don't for get NH as the first bid to buy a ROW before someone else can. No railroad with in the state of NH can sell its land to another railroad because NH has made it that any railroad land for sale the state has the first option to buy it.

I was just a tad disingenuous when I made my post. You're right: all states are in a funding bind, but the fact that New Hampshire came out so poorly probably says something about the clout of the state's representation down in DC. Example: Alaska has the fourth lowest population, but placed third with funding for highway and transit projects: just over $1 billion, if you can believe that. The residents can thank Don Young for that.

It also speaks volumes about the state's vision on transit. To get ANY federal money, you have to make a proposal! Is anyone proposing anything lately besides widening I-93 [for example]? And if you look at interstate widening projects anywhere in the past, it's been proven that within two or three years, the traffic jams are back to where they were three years prior. Highways are a pretty ineffecient way to move people in high volumes, and they're expensive to build for the return you get back. I-90 in Chicago is a prime example that I experienced when I lived there.

I grew up in Methuen, not far from the Pelham Inn, and have a good grasp of some of the issues in NH. Granite Staters don't like taxes, unless the tourists pay them.
However, when it comes to quality of life issues like effecient public transit, states have to kick in a little to match what Uncle Sam has to give them. It seems NH doesn't get it.

And we haven't even addressed America's love affair with their cars. I've never seen an HOV lane filled to capacity in rush hour!

Rockingham Racer wrote:It also speaks volumes about the state's vision on transit. To get ANY federal money, you have to make a proposal! Is anyone proposing anything lately besides widening I-93 [for example]? And if you look at interstate widening projects anywhere in the past, it's been proven that within two or three years, the traffic jams are back to where they were three years prior. Highways are a pretty ineffecient way to move people in high volumes, and they're expensive to build for the return you get back. I-90 in Chicago is a prime example that I experienced when I lived there.

I grew up in Methuen, not far from the Pelham Inn, and have a good grasp of some of the issues in NH. Granite Staters don't like taxes, unless the tourists pay them.
However, when it comes to quality of life issues like effecient public transit, states have to kick in a little to match what Uncle Sam has to give them. It seems NH doesn't get it.

The state of NH is well aware of the things you mention and that was the reason for why they were suppose to have the extensions from Lowell incorporated with the widening of Rt. 3 and the Manchester Lawrence branch to co-inside with the widening of Rt. 93. Yes the widening of both roads won't make a difference with in a few years after completion but something needs to be done. A railroad alone won't solve this mess. Given the budget that NH has I have to hand it to them, because they are trying to make the best with what they have. It's the people living in this state that need to face the fact that taking a little bit more money out of there pay checks is only going to help themselves and the state they live in.
Now with up-dated highway systems with alternatives, such as trains and busses, NH would have a pretty decent system going for them but that's not the case and it's not going to be the case for sometime to come. Two things need to happen in this state for something to get done, either raise the taxes or allow a casino or two to be built in NH. The two NASSCAR races and motorcycle week bring in a lot of money for the state in a short amount of time, if the state had one or two casinos, they would bring in that same amount of money but on a daily basis.

Last: pretty sad since NH relys so much off MA & Boston. Not like this is North Dakota here