Lawmakers Want To Make Roads Great (And Safe) Again

An incoming bill seeks to be among the largest federal surface infrastructure investments in American history, according to the lawmakers behind it.

The lead Republican and Democrat on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure drafted a 5-year authorization bill that aims to invest billions of dollars into “America’s roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs,” according to the committee’s Sunday press release.

The bipartisan bill was named the “Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250thAct,” or “BUILD America 250 Act,” for short, in reference to the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Republican Committee Chair Sam Graves and Democratic Ranking Member Rick Larsen are set to introduce the bill together. Graves called it “the most important surface transportation bill since President Eisenhower built the Interstate Highway System.”

“I’m extremely proud of the historic level of investment in America’s bridges – at more than $50 billion, it’s the largest such investment in our history. And the BUILD America 250 Act ensures that electric vehicle owners begin paying their fair share for the use of our roads,” Graves added, according to the release. “The bill also makes smart and targeted reforms to our surface transportation programs, focuses on strengthening our core infrastructure system, drives innovation, bolsters safety, ensures states have the flexibility they need, and cuts red tape to get projects built faster.”

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) — the largest manufacturing trade association in the U.S. — quickly endorsed the bill.

“Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen understand the importance of modern, reliable infrastructure to strengthening manufacturing in the United States, creating more jobs and keeping our country globally competitive,” NAM Executive Vice President Erin Streeter said in a press release Sunday. “The highway bill released today reflects the needs of America’s manufacturers, including tremendous progress toward comprehensive permitting reform, and our industry looks forward to working with the committee to quickly advance this vital legislation.”

“Highway congestion and port delays alone are costing manufacturers nearly $40 billion annually and freight delays account for 65 million hours of lost efficiency each year,” Streeter continued. “By passing a robust surface transportation reauthorization bill and bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform this year, Congress can take a major step forward to reduce congestion, improve reliability, and empower manufacturers to make and move products that reach millions worldwide — supporting communities here at home.”

Upon request for comment, a spokesperson for NAM directed the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation to the group’s “Building to Win” campaign, which the press release stated launched last February as “a national campaign urging Congress to pass robust infrastructure investments and reauthorize critical federal highway programs.”

The committee’s press release also stated that its leaders “plan to formally introduce the legislation soon,” with the goal of having it on President Donald Trump’s desk by Sept. 30.

The bill’s exact proposed total dollar amount is yet to be announced, Progressive Railroading reported Monday. The committee did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment on the total cost.

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