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

  • US Government set to invest US$74.5 billion in transport
    March 15, 2012
    The US Government is set to invest US$74.5billion in transport improvements in the 2013 financial year (October 1, 2012-September 30, 2013), President Barack Obama has revealed.
  • Mixed US transportation outlook for 2012 according to ARTBA
    April 26, 2012
    The outlook for the 2012 transportation construction market is mixed, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA). The 2012 Transportation Construction Market forecast from ARTBA shows that the industry will face uncertain times during next year.
  • Congressman Bill Shuster: “Smarter” transport system key to U.S. global competitiveness
    August 29, 2013
    Republican Congressman Bill Shuster has told a gathering of public and private sector leaders that improving and maintaining the American transport system is critical to staying globally competitive, and that a broad education process is needed to improve awareness of infrastructure needs. Shuster, chairman of the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, was the keynote speaker at the 26 August 2013 annual meeting of Build Up Greater Cleveland (BUGC), a Northeast Ohio coalition of agencies i
  • Innovative projects at IRF Awards luncheon
    February 22, 2013
    Since the launch of the IRF Global Road Achievement Awards (GRAA) program in 2000, our main objective has been to showcase innovation and leadership in the global road industry,” noted IRF president & CEO Patrick Sankey, as he opened the luncheon. “We are extremely proud our Awards Program has become an industry reference for innovators across the globe.” IRF Chairman Abdullah Al-Mogbel offered his congratulations to the award winners, noting, “…the award winners provide an inspiring example of the ingenuit