House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. John Mica (R-FL) and Democratic Chief Deputy Whip Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) were among 10 bipartisan members of Congress who convened with transportation construction interests at the second annual Rally for Roads: Make Transportation Job #1 in Washington, D.C.
Staged late last month near the Washington Monument, the event called attention to the impact transportation and highway investment has on the nation’s economy. It was timed with House and Senate action on legislation that would resume federal highway program funding on multi-year plans, versus the temporary extension measures since the SAFTEA-LU (2004–2009) expired.
“America’s infrastructure is vital to economic growth and job creation,” said National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Senior Vice President of Government and Political Affairs Kerri Leininger, Rally spokesperson. “America’s transportation needs are too great, and its impact on the nation’s economic health and well-being are too substantial to delay passage of a surface transportation bill any longer.
“Deficiencies in surface transportation systems have cost households and businesses billions of dollars. Our livelihoods depend on roads. The support for Rally for Roads from congressional and industry members highlights the importance of getting our nation’s infrastructure back on track.”
Rally for Roads is sponsored by 15 national associations representing stakeholders in transportation construction. Since renewing their coalition this year, Rally organizers enlisted additional sponsors, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, long a proponent of infrastructure investment, and National Association of Manufacturers. Coalition members representing concrete producers and their suppliers or customers are National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, American Concrete Pavement Association, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, Portland Cement Association and National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.