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 Other countries and regions are investing in ports, airports, train systems and goods movement systems to compete with economic activity occurring in other countries, Pisano said.
But in Southern California part of a mega-region that extends from the Central Valley, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego and parts of Mexico transportation and goods movement systems are struggling to keep up.
We have a lot of amenities that could make this region truly vibrant and truly competitive in the global marketplace, Pisano said.
To take advantage of that potential will require billions of dollars in infrastructure improvements that must come in part from private sector investment, he said. There isnt enough money in government to do it, he said.
Investments would be made through partnerships between federal, state and regional government and private investors. Consumers likely would pay fees, tolls or fares to help cover development and management costs.
Among the mega-regions needs is a high-speed rail system hooked to the regions airports, Pisano said. A high-speed rail system would serve commuters and help airports like Ontario International realize its growth potential by providing a rapid way for residents located elsewhere in the region to reach the airport.
We absolutely need high-speed transportation systems for commuters, aviation decentralization and special events, and we need a way to privatize it, Pisano said. The public sector will put out a set of specs and the private sector we believe will come to the table.
Another requirement is continued investment in an integrated goods movement system from the seaports to the regions airports, warehouses and beyond.
Those plans would include finishing the Alameda Corridor through the region, building a truckway system to more efficiently move goods from the ports eastward, and bringing the regions high level of diesel emissions under control, Pisano said.
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