ARTBA to Propose Path to Break Political Gridlock on Highway & Transit Funding

Major Policy Proposal Will Be Unveiled in Media Conference Call Briefing Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT)

News provided by

American Road & Transportation Builders Association

Mar 10, 2015, 06:19 ET

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) will outline a detailed proposal it believes could help end the political impasse over how to fund future federal investments in state and local highway, bridge and transit capital projects—the "Getting Beyond Gridlock" plan.

Federal funds provide, on average, 52 percent of annual state transportation department capital investments in highways and bridges. Those funds also support $10 billion per year in transit capital projects and assistance.

Absent congressional legislative action, the Highway Trust Fund, which provides those resources, will run into another cash flow problem this summer that will threaten continued federal investment in state programs. This uncertainty has already resulted in a number of states slowing down, delaying or cancelling projects. The current authorization for the federal highway and transit program ends May 31.

The ARTBA plan suggests a political path forward.

WHAT: Major ARTBA Highway & Transit Funding Policy Proposal

WHO: ARTBA President Pete Ruane

WHEN: March 12, 11:00 a.m. (EDT)

WHERE: Telephone Conference Call

REGISTER: Members of the news media interested in joining the call should contact ARTBA's Eileen Houlihan at [email protected] to receive the call-in number.

Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry before Congress, federal agencies, the White House, news media and the general public.

SOURCE American Road & Transportation Builders Association