(The following story by William B. Cassidy appeared on The Journal of Commerce website on August 2, 2010.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill introduced in the House last week matches Senate legislation calling for a national freight transportation policy at the Department of Transportation.
Rep. Albio Sires, D-N.J., introduced a companion bill to the Senate FREIGHT Act Thursday. The bill would require DOT to develop a strategic freight plan and create an Office of Freight Planning within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.
It also would create a permanent discretionary grant program for multimodal freight projects, similar to the TIGER grant program authorized by Congress.
“The Freight Act will help us achieve national objectives of bettering our communities through reduced congestion and pollution while simultaneously stimulating our economy and helping businesses to grow,” Sires said.
The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., Laura Richardson, D-Calif., and Adam Smith, D-Wash. The Senate bill was introduced July 22, sponsored by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.