(The Freight Stakeholders Coalition issued the following on May 21, 2009.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Freight Stakeholders Coalition, a longstanding group of the country’s largest shippers and public and private transportation providers, has released the its 2009 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Platform. The Coalition’s 17-member organizations represent America’s diverse freight community and believe it is vital for the Federal government to provide a strong leadership role during the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization process.
Cornerstones of the Stakeholders’ ten-point platform are the promotion of freight mobility under a comprehensive national freight program and adequate infrastructure investment for projects of regional and national significance to accommodate the doubling of cargo that is forecasted to take place over the next 20 years. Following are statements of support for the platform from a cross-section of the Coalition’s diverse membership:
“The businesses, large and small, represented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce understand how critical it is to maintain, modernize and expand the nation’s freight transportation system. Economic recovery and long-term growth are supported by reliable and safe networks that are operated efficiently. Freight may not vote, but members of our organizations do, so Congress and the Obama Administration must make moving the commerce a central focus of any transportation-related legislation.”
Janet F. Kavinoky, Director of Transportation Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“The number and significance of the many organizations unified around this platform is a testament to the importance and urgency of establishing a freight program with dedicated funding in the next surface authorization bill. A vote for a dedicated freight program and fund is a vote for the future of American commerce and competitiveness.”
Leslie Blakey, Executive Director, Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
“The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is pleased to join the other industry and government members of the Freight Stakeholders Coalition in support of a platform of proposals to make much-needed investment in the nation’s freight transportation infrastructure. The strength of the American economy depends on the ability to efficiently move products domestically and globally with all modes of transportation. AASHTO believes, with the other Stakeholders, that the starting point is the development of a National Multimodal Strategic Plan and that the U.S. DOT must establish a multi-modal freight office within the Office of the Secretary to provide coherence, direction and impetus to the federal freight program.”
John Horsley, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
“Investing in infrastructure provides lasting economic benefits that create jobs and support economic development and growth. Our nation’s vast interconnected network of roads, railways, airports, inland waterways, and seaports support and supply every sector of the economy. We need a dedicated and well-coordinated effort that will help sustain future growth and meet the competitive demands facing manufacturers today by modernizing and expanding the nation’s surface transportation system.”
Robyn Boerstling, Director, Transportation and Infrastructure Policy, National Association of Manufacturers
“Recognizing that the U.S. DOT projects demand for freight to double over the next few decades, it is imperative to address our critical surface transportation infrastructure needs starting now. The Freight Stakeholders Coalition principles lay the foundation for an efficient freight transportation system that helps keep America moving forward.”
Edward R. Hamberger, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads
“We join today with the freight industry in support of increased freight capacity. We believe that a stand-alone freight program at the national level that empowers states, regions and communities alike to plan for, build and maintain critical freight infrastructure to a greater degree is critical. We also fully support the suballocation of authority and funding to the regional and local levels to ensure both the federal goals and objectives, along with the needs of our communities, are met through the inclusion of new or current freight programs. The critical decisions necessary, as well as a majority of the impact, to the current explosion of goods movement across the country are actualized locally – in connections to freight terminals, in the safety of our citizens, and in direct economic opportunities.”
Fred Abousleman, Executive Director, National Association of Regional Councils
“Addressing goods movement challenges and alleviating freight congestion must be a top priority in the upcoming surface transportation legislation in order to help ensure U.S. farmers, manufacturers and other businesses remain competitive in the global marketplace. Seaports can play a critical role in our national economic recovery, however, connecting infrastructure to ports requires higher levels of federal investment to create jobs, alleviate congestion and deliver prosperity.”
Kurt J. Nagle, President and CEO, American Association of Port Authorities
“America’s freight transportation system is in dire need of increased and sustained investment. Without a strong commitment from Congress in the upcoming reauthorization cycle, productivity of all modes could deteriorate, which in turn will impact our country’s economic recovery and international competitiveness.”
Joni Casey, President and CEO, Intermodal Association of North America
“A national freight policy that streamlines the movement of goods, services and people is not only good transportation policy, but it’s good environmental and economic policy as well.”
Kelly Kolb, Vice President of Global Supply Chain Policy, Retail Industry Leaders Association
“What is needed is a national freight policy with the objective for goods to flow seamlessly and efficiently between the land and maritime systems of transport. Marine terminals are the nexus for that flow whether for international or domestic goods movement.” Chuck Carroll, Executive Director of the National Association of Waterfront Employers