Top US industry figure welcomes movement on highway bill

A senior US construction association figure has praised congressional leaders for breaking the “logjam” over the introduction of a highway bill to generate jobs and improve transport infrastructure.
March 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A senior US construction association figure has praised congressional leaders for breaking the “logjam” over the introduction of a highway bill to generate jobs and improve transport infrastructure. Speaking earlier this week Pete Ruane, president and chief executive of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), said: “The surface transportation reauthorization process has been gridlocked on Capitol Hill for 28 months. With action in several House committees this week on a multi-year bill, the logjam is beginning to break free. “We commend the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and other congressional leaders for their commitment to move the legislation forward.” In late 2007, ARTBA released a 72-page report containing the transportation construction industry’s legislative recommendations for the next reauthorisation bill. It called for an increase in infrastructure investment to meet the needs identified by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It also outlined a series of reforms to improve the efficiency of the transportation planning process. “The House bill would put many of these meaningful reforms into place,” added Mr Ruane. “Its proposals to consolidate or eliminate duplicate programmes, reduce bureaucratic red tape to help speed the delivery of transportation improvements, expand the use of innovative finance and public-private partnerships, and eliminate earmarks will help to restore the public’s trust in the value of federal transportation investment." Mr Ruane said the proposed measures would still authourise less for the core federal highway and transit programmes than Congress approved for the financial year 2011. And he urged members of the House and Senate to explore ways to boost transport industry investment levels during the legislative process leading to the creation of the highway bill. He continued: “It is essential that the House advance its multi-year bill. After more than two years of can-kicking, it’s time to get the job done.”

Related Content

  • US transportation bill moves forward
    April 26, 2012
    The US Government is making progress with its new surface transportation bill, in a move that will be of good news to all contractors and construction firms in the country. This bill has been delayed now for two years, with a knock-on effect for the construction industry in that there have been few new works commencing. American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) president Pete Ruane has commented on the US Senate EPW Committee Mark-Up of MAP-21, the Surface Transportation Bill. Ruane said,
    Read More
  • US highway bill
    August 13, 2012
    After long delays the US Government has finally signed its highway reauthorisation bill. “This is a good, bipartisan bill that will create jobs, strengthen our transportation system and grow our economy,” said US transportation secretary Ray LaHood. “It builds on our safety efforts. The bill also provides states and communities with two years of steady funding to build the roads, bridges and transit systems they need.” Funds for transportation projects will come from the Highway Trust Fund as well as genera
    Read More
  • US highway bill will create “much-needed growth engine,” says AEM president
    March 19, 2012
    A leading American manufacturing association figure claims Congress approval of the highway bill would create a “much-needed growth engine” for US jobs, infrastructure, and national and global domestic company trade.
    Read More
  • Transport investment bill plea in open letter to US Congress
    March 15, 2012
    A partnership of American road and transport-minded bodies and individuals has delivered an open letter to Congress urging the approval of the multi-year surface transport investment bill. More than 1,000 entities signed the letter from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-led Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM) coalition.
    Read More

Highlighted Content