WASHINGTON, DC – A diverse group of transportation organizations released a letter today urging congressional leadership and the conference committee on the authorization of the transportation bill to expand the flexibility and capacity of states and localities to address their transportation infrastructure investment challenges. In the letter, the group urges the conferees to seek all available opportunities to maximize state and local discretion to introduce tolling and user-charge systems. 

Excerpts from the letter:

Washington, DC — The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Building America’s Future (BAF) today released a study predicting that record numbers of Americans will turn to public transportation as a cost-cutting measure in the face of volatile gas prices. To meet this impending surge in demand, APTA and BAF are calling on Congress to pass a multi-year, fully funded surface transportation bill as the Senate and House begin Conference Committee negotiations.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives approved another 90-day extension of surface transportation programs today making it possible to begin negotiations with the U.S. Senate on a new surface transportation bill. 

In response, Building America’s Future’s President Marcia Hale issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON, DC – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced plans this week to launch the Division of Innovative Delivery, which will identify innovative and alternative funding solutions to advance the agency’s goal of developing long-term, sustainable solutions to fund future transportation construction projects. ODOT estimates nearly $200 million will be saved annually and billions more could be generated or saved by leveraging state-owned assets and exploring public-private partnerships.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed transportation reauthorization today that includes reform and accountability measures, streamlines road construction environmental reviews, and gives states and communities more flexibility in how they spend federal money.

In response Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NYC) and former Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA), co-chairs of Building America's Future, issued the following statement:

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently released a new report – “Buried No Longer: Confronting America’s Water Infrastructure Challenge” – that found America’s water infrastructure systems require over $1 trillion investment for repairs and expansion over the next 25 years.

In response, Marcia Hale, President of Building America’s Future released the following: