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The American Association of Port Authorities praised the inclusion of several key port freight mobility priorities in new legislation that was approved this week by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The Developing Roadway Infrastructure for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Act of 2015 is a $278 billion, six-year transportation reauthorization bill that includes a national freight plan and a dedicated freight program, as advocated by AAPA.
According to an AAPA statement, key industry priorities included in the bill include:
- A $13.5 billion program over six years for freight transportation
- Inclusion of intermodal connectors to seaports in a re-designation of the National Freight Network
- Expanded port eligibility in the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
- $2.4 billion in competitive grants for a Major Projects Program to assist states and regions with large corridor and gateway transportation infrastructure projects
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- Requirements for MAP-21 freight planning provisions for state freight plans and state freight advisory committees, in which states may obligate up to 10 percent of their total annual apportioned funding for intermodal projects, using Highway Trust Fund dollars
- A national freight plan that is to be revised every five years
AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle commended the bipartisan leadership and support provided by Senate EPW Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and the other committee members in prioritizing freight infrastructure and proposing a dedicated program for freight.
"With port cargo activity now accounting for more than a quarter of the U.S. economy, America’s ports are the nation’s economic lifeline," said Nagle. "Bills such as this that prioritize freight movement and facilitate the efficient movement of goods into and out of ports help enhance America’s international competitiveness and provide enormous benefits to exporters, manufacturers and consumers across the nation."
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