Comprehensive freight investment bill introduced by team of senators

U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Edward Markey (D-WA) recently introduced a bill that could establish the first multimodal freight investment policy in the U.S.

“In Washington, port jobs are at risk unless we improve our freight infrastructure and reduce bottlenecks,” Cantwell said. “International trade opportunities are growing and our competitors are investing -- the Panama Canal is expanding and ports like Prince Rupert in Canada are presenting new challenges. We need a national focus on freight mobility to offer our goods and services more competitively to customers around the world. This legislation will help. It builds off recommendations from the National Freight Advisory Committee. Freight bottlenecks and other forms of congestion cost us about $200 billion per year -- and that is a cost we cannot afford.”

The policy, called the National Multimodal Freight Policy and Investment Act (S.1680), would help farmers, businesses and shippers in the U.S. stay competitive in the global economy.

“New Jersey is home to a diverse transportation network of highways, rail, and ports,” Booker said. “In order to remain globally competitive, it is vital that we adopt policies that invest in all modes of transportation as these systems work together to deliver the goods Americans depend on. The freight industry provides millions of jobs in New Jersey and across the country. I am pleased to join my colleague Sen. Cantwell to promote legislation that will make freight rail systems more efficient and provide new resources to support our nation’s freight networks.”

If passed, the act could decrease congestion and bottlenecks with investments in the railroads, highways, intermodal facilities and ports.

“I am proud to support a bill that will make critical investments in freight mobility and ensure goods are moved across the nation safely and efficiently,” Murray said. “This is particularly important in Washington state, where exports are so important to the economy. By working to improve freight mobility on roads, rails and at ports, we are helping businesses grow and making communities safer.”