AASHTO urges Senate to act on highway, transit extension.

Press Release Summary:



As Senate negotiates on passage of jobs bill, AASHTO Executive Director, John Horsley joined with 4 other organizations to urge lawmakers to move forward on immediate and long-term extension of highway and transit authorization, as well as additional recovery funding to maintain momentum achieved in job creation through recovery act. Letter says extension will maximize job creation by allowing certainty for state DOTs, contractors, and their workers to plan for full season of work.



Original Press Release:



AASHTO Urges Senate to Act on Highway, Transit Extension to Create Jobs



As the Senate negotiates on passage of a jobs bill, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley joined with four other organizations to urge lawmakers to move forward on an immediate and a long-term extension of highway and transit authorization, as well as additional recovery funding to maintain the momentum achieved in job creation through the recovery act.

Federal transportation programs have moved forward in fits and starts since last September 30 when authorization of the highway and transit programs expired. Congress has passed three short-term extensions, the latest of which expires on February 28. An extension of the programs to September 30, 2010 was included in the House-passed jobs bill.

The letter urges that the Senate act on the extension of the highway and transit authorization, saying, "The extension will maximize job creation by allowing certainty for state DOTs, contractors and their workers to plan for a full season of work. All 50 states continue their highway construction season through September and into October, at least 45 states continue highway work into November and one-third of the states are still working in December."

It continues, "Passage of legislation that includes an extension and the funds transfer will provide much needed certainty and stability within the states, local transportation authorities and transit agencies to make long-term capital commitments. Without these steps, the transportation construction industry will continue to decline and much needed transportation investments cannot be made."

The letter also addresses the critical need for enactment of a long-term authorization and funding to shore up the Highway Trust Fund to "allow the maximum job creation during the 2010 construction season."

Joining AASHTO in the letter are the American Road and Transportation Builders Association; the Associated General Contractors of America; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and the Laborers International Union of North America.

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.

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