Foxx pushing for long-term transportation plan

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was speaking to the faithful last week when he urged members of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to lobby members of Congress for a long-term transportation bill.

Foxx cited U.S. DOT’s report, “Beyond Traffic,” which documents the need for greater investment into transportation infrastructure.

AASHTO President John Cox from the Wyoming DOT said his group would appreciate a temporary extension of the transportation bill but really wants a long-term solution.

AASHTO Executive Director Bud Wright said transportation funding is a front burner item for Congress and the Obama administration.

“We’ve gotten the attention of members of Congress, including the leadership, on the issue’s importance,” Wright said.

“The argument is not like a year ago. People are not talking now about devolution and whether the federal government should be involved in transportation. We’re in a different place,” he said.

Foxx said transportation congestion has become critical. “We are trapped by the very thing that is supposed to open opportunity for us,” he said.