AASHTO Makes Statement on State of the Union Address.

Press Release Summary:



AASHTO commends President Barack Obama for using his State of the Union address to reiterate his support for investment in highways, bridges, mass transit, and rail systems. AASHTO executive director John Horsley cited "The president's words and recent actions by congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle" as reasons for optimism towards agreement on multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill "in the near future."



Original Press Release:



Statement on President Obama's State of the Union Address by John Horsley, AASHTO Executive Director



American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

WASHINGTON - The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials commends President Barack Obama for using his State of the Union address to reiterate his unrelenting support for greater investment in the highways, bridges, mass transit, and rail systems that support our economy and quality of life.

"President Obama is once again shining the national spotlight on this most critical of issues," said John Horsley, AASHTO executive director. "The president's words and recent actions by congressional leadership on both sides of the aisle give transportation proponents optimism that an agreement can be reached on a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill in the near future. Major transportation projects take years of planning, design, construction, and investment. State departments of transportation need the certainty and stability that a multiyear authorization bill brings. Passing one short-term extension after the other is not the answer."

Congress has extended the 2005 highway and transit authorization law known as "SAFETEA-LU," eight times since it originally expired Sept. 30, 2009. The current extension will expire March 31.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/aashtospeaks.

All Topics