The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA)—along with 33 other transportation, business, labor, and travel groups*—urged U.S. presidential candidates from both major political parties to include long-term, sustainable funding measures in their infrastructure plans.
In letters sent to campaigns of presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the groups also offered assistance with enacting the candidates’ plans. The groups said finding ways to pay for future improvements to the United States’ transportation infrastructure will boost employment levels and economic growth.
The groups stated in the letter, “We believe that an infrastructure package needs to include, as a foundation, additional sustainable revenue to ensure the permanent solvency of the Highway Trust Fund. The additional revenue sources must be long-term, reliable, dedicated and focused on the users and beneficiaries of our transportation network to support the increased investment provided under your infrastructure proposal.”
The groups also said the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, enacted at the end of 2015, failed to include measures to ensure the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund, the source of the most federal funding for highway, transit, and other surface transportation projects across the nation. As a result, many state and local transportation officials have had a difficult time planning and funding transportation projects, which undermines the impact of the new transportation law.
The groups thanked both candidates for their commitment to strengthen the nation’s economy and improve America’s competitiveness through significant investment in transportation infrastructure.
“Our industries stand ready to work with you to ensure any new infrastructure investment proposal you offer has the greatest possible impact on our nation’s economy and transportation network,” they said.
Editorial Contact: For additional information or commentary, please contact:
Bill Davenport, Vice President – Communications, American Concrete Pavement Association
Phone: 847.423.8703 | E-mail: bdavenport@acpa.org
* Groups signing the letter included the: U.S. Chamber of Commerce; National Association of Manufacturers; National Retail Federation; Associated General Contractors of America; America Road & Transportation Builders Association; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; AAA; U.S. Travel Association; American Trucking Associations; International Union of Operating Engineers; Laborers’ International Union of North America; Building America’s Future; Retail Industry Leaders of America; American Public Transportation Association; American Council of Engineering Companies; American Highway Users Alliance; American Iron and Steel Institute; American Public Works Association; American Society of Civil Engineers; American Moving & Storage Association; American Concrete Pavement Association; Americans for Transportation Mobility; American Concrete Pipe Association; Associated Equipment Distributors; Association of Equipment Manufacturers; American Traffic Safety Services Association; National Asphalt Pavement Association; National Association of Regional Councils; National Electrical Contractors Association; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association; National Stone Sand and Gravel Association; National Utility Contractors Association; PeopleForBikes – Business Network; and The Association of Union Constructors.
“Presidential Election 2016” graphic (art) rendered by Amy M. Dean
(Flag USA image: https://comicsagogo.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/united-states-american-flag-outline-small.jpg).