Industry groups urge Congress to pass highway bill

An alliance of 83 trade groups and unions sent letters to Congress urging the United States House of Representatives to pass a long-term (six-year) reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program. The U.S. Senate passed such a bill with bipartisan support in July, but it awaits House approval.

The most recent short-term extension of the transportation program expires Oct. 29, 2015, according to a news release from the American Public Works Association (APWA), one of the 83 organizations that drafted the correspondence.

The APWA says it and its stakeholder partners are “now pushing House members to keep the reauthorization process moving forward by passing a six year bill” by the Oct. 29 deadline.

“APWA represents the men and women who work every day to plan, operate and maintain our nation’s roadways and infrastructure,” says APWA President Brian Usher. “APWA joins these 82 organizations in urging the House of Representatives to end the cycle of uncertainty by advocating and voting for a six-year surface transportation program reauthorization bill during 2015. The temporary program of extensions and recurring Highway Trust Fund revenue crises do not provide a path for future economic growth, jobs and increased competitiveness,” he adds.

“Further, a multi-year, multi-modal surface transportation authorization maintains a strong federal role and provides dedicated, reliable and equitable funding to both states and local governments for building, maintaining and operating state and local infrastructure systems,” says Usher.

Among the other groups signing the correspondence were the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association; the Associated General Contractors of America; the American Road & Transportation Builders Association; the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association; the Association of Equipment Manufacturers; the Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association; and the American Iron and Steel Institute.