ARTBA calls on U.S. Senate to get behind DRIVE Act

With the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee recently releasing a new U.S. infrastructure proposal, American Road & Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA) president and CEO Pete Ruane called on the rest of the Senate to get on board.

The Developing a Reliable & Innovative Vision for the Economy Act is meant to help the American economy by injecting nearly $300 billion into the nation’s freeways, bridges, roads and mass transit systems over six years 

“Getting beyond the gridlock that has been strangling federal investment in the nation’s mobility is going to take bipartisan cooperation and leadership,” Ruane said. “Sens. [Jim] Inhofe (R-OK), [Barbara] Boxer (D-CA), [David] Vitter (R-LA) and [Tom] Carper (D-DE) have stepped up and done their job by outlining a multi-year highway and public transit program that will make America more competitive.”

The strength of the U.S. economy is critically linked to the integrity of the nation’s infrastructure, but the infrastructure trust fund will dry up at the end of July if Congress doesn't find a way to sustain a cash flow.

“Now it’s time for the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means committees to do [their jobs] and provide the path forward with a sustainable revenue stream for the Highway Trust Fund,” Ruane said. “Transportation investment is a core federal responsibility. It’s time to transcend politics and do the right thing for America.”

ARTBA, which has been based in Washington, DC since 1902, represents the voice of the U.S. transportation and construction design industry before federal agencies, the White House, news media, Congress and the general public.