Transportation legislation: “Give freight a fund” is new cry in Washington

From LM:

WASHINGTON—A potentially powerful coalition of transportation and freight interests is calling for a separate, dedicated freight mobility program to optimize freight movements across all modes and political jurisdictions.

The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) is calling on Congress to create a dedicated federal Freight Trust Fund (FTF), modeled after the Highway Trust Fund to pay for freight-only projects. The goal is to include such a dedicated fund in the upcoming reauthorization of the highway reauthorization fund, which expires on Sept. 30. Transportation lobbyists are expected to work overtime between now and then on that must-pass legislation.

Whether a dedicated Freight Trust Fund is included in the bill is anyone’s guess. But the idea is gaining support by some members of Congress.

“I am pushing for a national freight policy,” says Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif., a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chaired by Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn. “I’ve had a meeting with Chairman Oberstar on this issue, and I’m going to have many more.”

Approximately half this nation’s imports move through Rep. Richardson’s district that includes the Port of Long Beach in Southern California. She says modernization of the nation’s freight system is essential to economic recovery and more good-paying jobs. She cited a recent report on surface transportation that recommended this nation spending $384 billion annually for the next 20 years to upgrade the transportation infrastructure.

CAGTC:

Freight transportation is the backbone of the American economy. Without the ability to quickly and cost effectively move goods into, out of and through the United States, America will not be able to maintain her standard of living and high employment levels.The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors was established to bring national attention to the need to significantly expand U.S. freight transportation capabilities and to work toward solutions to this growing national challenge.We invite you to learn more about the Coalition, its mission and members.

The Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors is managed by Blakey & Agnew, LLC. Learn more at www.blakey-agnew.com.