An important bill has made a key step in the US – image courtesy of © Igor Sokalski, Dreamstime.com
An important bipartisan bill for US transportation has now passed a key stage. With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the US road network will receive an increase of US$110 billion over five years, in addition to baseline expenditures.
American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) president and CEO Dave Bauer commented, “The US economy and transportation system users stand to benefit most from enactment of an infrastructure bill that combines historic investment levels with pragmatic policy reforms.
“The Senate vote is a much-needed step, but not the finish line.
“We will continue to work with the House, Senate and the Biden administration to help achieve an outcome that addresses America’s transportation infrastructure needs today and in the future.”
Meanwhile Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE, president and CEO of the National Asphalt Paving Association said, “This bipartisan bill represents a giant step forward in bringing greater access and mobility to the American public, brings our highways and roads to good condition, sparks ongoing innovation in the asphalt pavement industry, and secures good-paying jobs for hundreds of thousands of American workers, not to mention improves their safety while on the job,”
In addition to predictable funding for paving projects, the bill successfully advances several of NAPA’s priorities, as stated in its December 2020 “Build Back Better with Asphalt” package to the incoming Biden administration:
The reauthorisation of the Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies (AID-PT) programme will continue advancing the latest innovations, best practices, and technologies for constructing and maintaining high-quality, long-lasting pavements valued at $30 million.
Increased federal contributions to safety contingency funds will improve work zone safety, protecting workers and motorists from injury and fatalities during roadway construction projects using innovative contracting methods that enhance work zone safety.
“NAPA thanks the President and the Senate, especially those negotiating in good faith on behalf of the American people to pass a bipartisan infrastructure funding bill in a timely manner, enabling much-needed construction and maintenance for America’s critical highways, roads, and bridges,” said James Winford, NAPA 2020-21 Chairman. NAPA now calls upon members of the House to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 to provide America with the meaningful investment that supports the nation’s continued economic growth and mobility.”
