Trade groups want to stay in the FAST lane

An alliance of nearly 90 trade associations and political organizations have sent a joint letter to United States Congress leaders urging passage of a one-year extension of the current surface transportation law, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, before it expires on Sept. 30.

Among the 88 groups signing the brief, four-paragraph letter are the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA), the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the American Concrete Pavement Association, the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA).

Dennis Slater, president of AEM, comments, “As our industry and our country continues to navigate the lasting effects of the pandemic, now more than ever, we need congressional leaders to rise to the occasion and help keep the wheels moving on critical infrastructure projects across the country.”

Adds Slater “As states and local governments continue to see budget shortfalls due to COVID-19, ensuring that the much-needed repair and modernization of our surface transportation system can continue will create American jobs and boost demand for construction equipment. This demand is vital to the longevity of the equipment manufacturing industry and our hardworking 2.8 million men and women. Extending the FAST Act, which expires in just 21 days, is the first step. We still need for members on both sides of the aisle to work together on a long-term, fully funded reauthorization that will better prepare our roads, highways, bridges, and public transit systems to meet the demands of a globally competitive 21st century economy.”

The letter asks congressional leaders to pass a bill by Sept. 30 that includes a one-year extension of the current surface transportation law with increased investment levels; emergency federal funding for state departments of transportation and public transit agencies—$37 billion and $32 billion, respectively; and provisions to ensure solvency of the Highway Trust Fund for the duration of the extension at a minimum.