Skip to main content

ARTBA comments on impact of US shutdown for transportation

American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) president and CEO Pete Ruane has highlighted issues for transport caused by the impact of the US Government shutdown. “Improving the efficiency of the environmental review and approval process was one of the signature achievements of the 2012 surface transportation law—MAP-21. Achieving this goal was a clear priority for members of Congress from both parties and chambers. “Major highway and bridge projects can take between nine and 19 years to
October 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) president and CEO Pete Ruane has highlighted issues for transport caused by the impact of the 908 US Government shutdown. “Improving the efficiency of the environmental review and approval process was one of the signature achievements of the 2012 surface transportation law—MAP-21.  Achieving this goal was a clear priority for members of Congress from both parties and chambers.

“Major highway and bridge projects can take between nine and 19 years to complete—largely due to inefficiencies in the review process that delay needed mobility and safety improvements.

“To put this in context, the 2410 Federal Highway Administration states that as of August 22 there are 129 projects from 35 states currently undergoing the Environmental Impact Statement process.  

“Due to furloughs in the environmental and resource agencies, however, the approval process for transportation projects is encountering more obstacles. This outcome is the exact opposite of the goals of MAP-21’s streamlining provisions.

“There are two things the construction industry needs to deliver the transportation network that moves our economy—adequate and reliable funding and approved projects.

“The fact remains that if environmental regulators can't do their job, we can’t do ours.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • AEM – US construction sector “remains resilient” amid Covid-19 pandemic
    April 8, 2020
    US firms have job sites to run but are still helping prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Transport the key to economic growth
    July 12, 2012
    Delegates from around the world discussed the future of global transport at the 2009 International Transport Forum in Leipzig, Germany In the face of the global economic downturn, transport will play a key role in supporting economic growth and in the creation of new confidence in the world's economic future, the delegates of the 2009 International Transport Forum (ITF) agreed. As almost all global threats have strong, central links and impacts, the transport sector will remain at the forefront of most glob
  • AEM pushes for US highway plan
    February 20, 2012
    According to the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the extension of the country's highway and transportation legislation is a short-term measure.
  • IRF promotes education and career development for road industry entrants
    February 27, 2012
    The Fellowship Orientation and Executive Leadership Program of the Washington Program Center is now the IRF Road Scholar Program. It encompasses the ten-day Fellows' Orientation Program, the Executive Leadership workshop, and the brand new IRF career fair. This year, 25 students from 19 countries participated, bringing the 59-year-old program total to 1,180.