Traffic congestion on Highway 55 at the entrance ramp to the Popular Street Bridge in downtown St. Louis. © 2004 file photo SLFP.com
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Secretary Mineta Outlines Plans to Fight Traffic Congestion
WASHINGTON, DC, (PRNewswire) September 7, 2004 - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta has outlined innovative plans to fight traffic congestion including letting drivers pay tolls to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes, allowing states to price highways differently during the most congested periods of the day and using ramp metering technology to better move traffic on and off of highways.
Secretary Mineta's comments came as the Texas Transportation Institute prepared to release its annual report on road congestion.
"The report takes a page out of the President's playbook on traffic relief," said Secretary Mineta. "We need solutions that help drivers now, which is why the Administration is working to provide states with solutions to get commuters to jobs, shoppers to stores and families to their homes on time."
Short-term traffic solutions that the Transportation Department is providing to states include letting drivers pay tolls to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes, allowing states to price highways differently during the most congested periods of the day and using ramp metering technology to better move traffic on and off of highways. Additional measures include improving traffic signal timing to match traffic patterns and avoid gridlock and investing in new telephone and Internet-based information systems to help drivers avoid traffic and construction.
The Transportation Department's traffic solutions are helping ease congestion in numerous areas of the country. For example, at least 22,000 Seattle drivers each day check an Internet traffic map that provides real-time information on road conditions, helping motorists steer clear of trouble spots and better plan their trips.
In Orlando, Fla., more than 130 dynamic message signs along major routes are routinely updated to provide drivers with current information on traffic and alternative routes. Orlando drivers also gather the latest reports about traffic jams, road construction and alternative routes through a service known as "511" after the number commuters can dial for the information.
Secretary Mineta said the Bush Administration also has proposed record levels of funding for new highway and transit systems, saying the money will go a long way to fight traffic over the long-term. The Administration's proposed funding levels would mean a 20 percent increase over current spending, without raising taxes, adding to the deficit or taking money from other programs.
"Today's report validates what we've known all along, the solution to road congestion isn't just pouring new concrete and paving new roads," said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters, the nation's top highway official. "We want to give states a menu of immediate solutions while we invest record levels in the nation's highway and transit systems to fight traffic and build economic capacity for tomorrow."
The Departmental traffic relief plan also includes reforms to attract private sector capital and innovation and move projects from the drawing board to completion more quickly. The Bush Administration has proposed letting states use private activity bonds and electronic tolling to find new ways to invest in transportation systems. And, in 2002, the President signed an executive order to get agencies to work together to shave years off the environmental review and decision-making process, Secretary Mineta added.
National Medical Groups Call for Action to Reduce Firearm Injury
WASHINGTON, DC, (PRNewswire) September 7, 2004 - With the 1994 federal assault weapons ban set to expire next week, 13 national medical and health organizations are urging all candidates for public office to take immediate action to reduce gun death and injury. The groups sent their consensus statement, which includes a call for strengthening the ban, to President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry last week. To date, neither campaign has responded.
Physicians and medical groups are calling for action because they view gun violence as an ongoing homeland security problem. The U.S. gun death rate far exceeds rates in all other wealthy countries; nearly 30,000 Americans die from gun injuries every year. The annual cost of gun violence is estimated at $100 billion.
The consensus statement asks for a comprehensive plan to reduce gun injuries, claiming that ending the firearm injury epidemic should be "among the leading imperatives of our time, along with access to health care, economic policy, environmental protection and, indeed, terrorism and the war in Iraq."
"We are calling on President Bush, Senator Kerry and members of Congress to address gun-related injury as a public health priority," said Michael McCally, MD, PhD, president of Physicians for Social Responsibility. "While the U.S. focuses its resources on possible terror attacks from unnamed enemies, thousands of Americans are dying from gunshot wounds."
Charles Francis, MD, president of the American College of Physicians, and Carden Johnston, MD, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasized that adults and children of all ages are at risk. Dr. Francis stated, "We need a comprehensive national plan and localized plans for reducing gun violence. Most homicides, suicides and domestic violence deaths in the United States involve guns, causing untold suffering for victims and their families."
Dr. Johnston stated it is absolutely unacceptable that an average of eight American children are killed by firearms every day -- nearly 3,000 children and youth each year. "Sadly, pediatricians see far too many children who are disabled or die from gun injuries," commented Dr. Johnston. "Guns should not be in places where children live and play."
Missouri Gaming Commission Selects Pinnacle Entertainment's Proposals
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire) September 2, 2004 - Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. has announced that it has been selected by the Missouri Gaming Commission for priority investigation in connection with the Company's two casino and related development proposals for St. Louis City and County. The Commission's selection of Pinnacle followed the Company's selection by the City and County of St. Louis in competitive bid processes.
In an announcement, Daniel R. Lee, Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Entertainment, said "With this selection, we will now accelerate the design process necessary to transform our concept drawings into reality. Barring any unforeseen complications in the investigation and development process, we would be eligible to receive our gaming licenses immediately prior to each property's opening, as is customary in most gaming jurisdictions. We have been pleased by the strong local support of both of our projects and the methodical and thorough selection processes at the City, County and State level."
For both of these casino projects, it is anticipated that construction will begin shortly after the Company receives all necessary building and land-use approvals. The Company hopes to receive such approvals for the City casino by Spring 2005, with an expected opening date approximately 18 months thereafter. For the County project, the Company expects to also begin site work in 2005 and open the facility in 2007.
The Company has proposed a $208 million downtown project in the City of St. Louis, including a 75,000-square-foot, 2,000 slot casino; a luxury hotel; retail space; and a large parking structure. As part of the agreement with the City, Pinnacle also intends to build (potentially with one or more development partners) an additional $50 million of residential housing, retail, or mixed-use developments in the City within five years of the opening of the casino and hotel.
In St. Louis County, Pinnacle has proposed a $300 million gaming and mixed-use project in the community of Lemay, located approximately 10 miles south of downtown St. Louis. The proposed development will be situated on approximately 56 acres of land leased from the St. Louis County Port Authority and will include a 90,000-square-foot, 3,000-slot casino; a 100-guestroom hotel; and extensive retail and entertainment space. An additional 24 acres will be developed into a public park and will include community and recreational facilities to be constructed by the Company. Because the County project requires extensive remediation of the former industrial site as well as construction of a new road and flood control measures, the company estimates that construction will take approximately one year longer than will be required for the City project.
Sigma-Aldrich Donates Lab Equipment to Area Schools and Universities
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) September 2, 2004 - Sigma-Aldrich Corporation is donating over $1.5 million in laboratory equipment to area schools and universities. In keeping with its mission to lead in Life Science and High Technology, Sigma-Aldrich is giving the equipment to help expand and enhance science education and research opportunities for area students.
Major beneficiaries include the University of Missouri at St. Louis (UMSL), Saint Louis University (SLU), Harris-Stowe State College, St. Louis Public Schools, the Special School District, St. Dominic High School and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Other recipients are Francis Howell School District, Christian Outreach School, Parkway School District, St. Raphael The Archangel School, and Althoff High School, among others.
Recipient schools chose their equipment from over 100 types of items, including stirrers, flasks, pipettes, gloves, textbooks, weighing scales, thermometers, pumps, tubes, timers, and other high-tech equipment. The equipment will be used in science programs and university research laboratories, and will arrive in time for use in the new school year.
"Science starts with inquisitive minds and we are pleased to be able to assist our schools and our community with some of the tools needed to pique them," stated Mike Hogan, Chief Administrative Officer and CFO at Sigma-Aldrich. "The St. Louis area is a global leader in the biotechnology field, and Sigma- Aldrich is eager to support the growth of our region as a hub for learning and research. This donation is just one more way of walking the talk on that pledged support."
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