The American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, billed as the “largest transportation reform bill since the creation of the Interstate Highway System in 1956″ by its sponsor Florida Republican Congressman John Mica, has been introduced into the US House of Representatives.
If adopted, the bill will authorise US$260 billion to fund federal highway, transit and safety programmes over five years.
Mr Mica, chairman of the transportation and infrastructure committee, predicted it “may be the most important jobs measure to pass Congress this year.”
Said highways and transit subcommittee chairman and Republican Congressman John Duncan: “The average federal highway project takes 15 years from concept to completion in the US because of excessive regulations.”
The bill was introduced as various shipper and transportation groups descended on Washington for a “Stand-Up for Trucking” fly-in event to lobby on trucking issues, reported American Shipper.
Said American Trucking Associations president Bill Graves; “The bill is a major step forward from reforming how projects are delivered and refocusing the federal highway program on issues of national interest, like freight movement.”
ATA said the bill would address truck productivity and hours-of-service issues by changing federal truck size-and-weight reforms and allowing states to open their highways to bigger trucks, reducing costs to American consumers.
Mr Mica said the bill contains no earmarks, which require highway spending to fund non-highway activities.
Said American Association of Port Authorities president Kurt Nagle: “The bill is a testament to Chairman Mica’s leadership and vision that improved transportation infrastructure, including in, and connecting seaports, which is critical to our nation’s economy.”
Said National Retail Federation vice president David French: “The sooner a transportation bill can be passed the sooner Americans can be put back to work.”
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