Source: American Concrete Pavement Association, Rosemont, Ill.
The American Concrete Pavement Association Board has approved a resolution formally supporting a new Transportation Research Board (TRB) report stating the case for annual investment of $45 billion to $70 billion to cover rebuilding of Interstate highway pavements and bridges. Proposed funding levels in “Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future” apply only to the Interstate portion of the overall Federal-aid highway system.
The report and plan are the result of language in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015, which called for TRB to conduct a study on the actions needed to upgrade and restore the Interstate and Defense Highway System. An action plan drawn from study findings offers Congress 10 key recommendations, including innovative concepts and actionable measures favorable to state transportation agencies, taxpayers, highway users, and the transportation construction industry.
The plan is seen as viable and credible in part because of TRB’s world-class reputation in transportation research, ACPA affirms. TRB is one of seven program units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conducts other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. An oversight committee behind “Renewing the Interstate Highway System” adds credibility because it was comprised of 14 prominent professionals representing the public and private sectors and academia. Among those are the Honorable Norman Mineta (former U.S Representative and U.S. Secretary of Transportation) and TRB Chairman Norman Augustine. ACPA hopes that the well-crafted report will be incorporated, wholly or in part, in the next transportation reauthorization legislation.
“Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future” is posted here.