ATSSA The Signal January February 2020

The Signal | January/February 2020 9 Government Relations Senate proposal would continue work of FAST Act Members of the U.S. Senate have put forth legislation meant to continue the work done with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, legis- lation that authorized $287 billion for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) over five years to ensure investments aremade tomain- tain and repair our nation’s roadways. America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act (ATIA) of 2019 proposes a 27 percent increase from the funding provided in the FAST Act, including $259 billion in formula-based funding for America’s roadways and bridges. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) sponsored the bill. “America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act will growour economy, improve road safety, expedite important projects, and enhance quality of life for the American people,” Barrasso said. Carper outlined some of the key road- way safety components of the legislation. “Our bill makes a stronger commitment to roadway safety by increasing funds for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, the Federal Highway Admin- istration’s core highway safety program, while also incentivizing states to invest in safety through $2.5 billion in supple- mental safety funds. The bill will result in safer routes for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, by focusing programresources in areas that have urgently needed safety improve- ments,” Carper said. Capito reiterated the importance of safe and reliable infrastructure in U.S. communities, saying transportation funding will boost commerce and drive economic growth overall. “Not only will this comprehensive, biparti- san legislation help us rebuild and repair America’s infrastructure system, but it will also help create new infrastruc- ture opportunities now and for future generations,” Capito said. “I’m proud of the workmy colleagues and I have done on this legislation, especially several provisions I included in the bill to focus on rural states like West Virginia and to encourage development and improve infrastructure, includingboth surfaceand broadband infrastructure, in Appalachia. “I look forward to continuing our work together to advance this legislation— which I’mcertainwill help improve travel on roads, bridges, and highways, as well as quality of life, for Americans across the country.” With the FAST Act set to expire in Septem- ber, more work will need to be done before the legislation reaches a floor vote and passage into law. The government relations teamof ATSSA has been meeting with members of Congress to discuss the legislation as it moves to several committees for consid- eration, according to ATSSA Director of Government Relations David Bell. “We’vemet with congressional members on the House and Senate to ensure that they are aware of ATSSA’s priorities and how this bill would help to advance road- way safety infrastructure.We’re happy to see, and have applauded, Congress with moving forward with the ATIA of 2019. We’re pleased to see that they’ve done work early in the process, in advance of the FAST Act’s sunset date in 2020,” Bell said.  ATSSA will provide additional information on the ATIA as the bill progresses. Our bill makes a stronger commitment to roadway safety by increasing funds for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, the Federal Highway Administration’s core highway safety program, while also incentivizing states to invest in safety through $2.5 billion in supplemental safety funds. The bill will result in safer routes for all users, including motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, by focusing program resources in areas that have urgently needed safety improvements.