The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) said its executive director on Thursday told congressional leaders of the need for a program that reliably funds the nation’s multimodal freight system.
“Targeted, sustained and robust investment in our nation’s freight system is necessary to maintain the strength of American industry in a competitive world marketplace,” Elaine Nessle said.
The briefing at which Nessle spoke Thursday was organized by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., to look at funding proposals to improve the nation’s transportation system.
Also presenting at the briefing were the American Society of Civil Engineers, I-95 Corridor Coalition and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
Nessle addressed Lowenthal’s National Multimodal and Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act, which calls for a 1 percent fee on the cost of moving goods.
“To maintain and improve freight infrastructure, dedicated funding, such as what Congressman Lowenthal has suggested, is required,” Nessle said.
“The 2020 reauthorization is swiftly approaching and necessitates serious consideration of how federal transportation programs will be funded,” she said.