Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
May 01, 2014 02:00 AM

DOT sends $302 billion transportation bill to Congress

Miles Moore
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    WASHINGTON—Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sent a $302 billion transportation funding package, the “Grow America Act,” on April 29 to mixed reviews from stakeholders.

    According to the Department of Transportation, the four-year reauthorization among other things will provide critical funds for road and bridge repair, aid the movement of freight across all modes of transportation and provide innovative modes of infrastructure financing.

    The bill will provide $10 billion over four years for targeted investments in the transportation system that will improve the movement of freight, the agency said. It also will dedicate $150 billion in one-time transitional revenue from business tax reform to pay for transportation improvements, it said.

    To ensure funding of transportation projects, the bill will provide $4 billion under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) that could support as much as $40 billion in loans, DOT said. It also makes it easier for smaller transportation projects to use TIFIA for funding, it said.

    The Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) praised the Grow America Act, while stopping short of endorsing it completely.

    “DOT's bill certainly helps advance the discussion about how to address our nation's transportation infrastructure crisis,” said LIUNA General President Terry O'Sullivan. “For too long, Congress' duct-tape approach has made our roads and bridges unsafe, destabilized the construction industry and slowed our economy.”

    O'Sullivan urged DOT and Congress to embrace an increase in the gasoline tax, which he called “the most testing and logical way of meeting our critical investment needs.” He quoted a Mineta Transportation Institute survey as showing that 67 percent of Americans would support a gas tax increase that went to fixing potholes, roads and bridges.

    The American Road & Transportation Builders Association praised the Grow America Act. ARTBA President and CEO Pete Ruane said the bill “recognizes the need for the significant boost in transportation infrastructure investment necessary to grow the economy, create jobs and increase the nation's productivity and international competitiveness.”

    Ruane said he hoped the administration and Congress would use the bill as a starting point for long-term funding solutions for the Highway Trust Fund, which is in danger of running out of money this summer.

    However, the American Trucking Associations said it was disappointed in the bill, particularly its funding mechanisms.

    “Any proposal that moves away from a user fee for funding transportation systems is not going to be acceptable to the American trucking industry, period,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves.

    “It is clear that this administration is aiming to hijack the Highway Trust Fund and convert it into a fund to finance a myriad of projects that do not pay user fees into the fund,” Graves said. The bill does not acknowledge the overriding importance of trucking as the nation's mover of freight, he said.

    Related Articles
    Secretary Foxx expresses concerns over privacy at Auto Show
    Transportation bill allows highways to become toll roads
    DOT officials: Pass long-term transportation bill now
    ARTBA: Transportation construction is a green industry
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    AirBoss 2022 results drop because of fall in nitrile glove needs
    2
    EU approves Yokohoma's Trelleborg Wheel Systems purchase
    3
    Inspiring tires: 5 big winners at Tire Technology International awards
    4
    Datwyler: Where could electrically conductive elastomers be used?
    5
    Pros and Cons: A look at 4 emerging sustainable carbon black methods
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION