CAGTC Members,
Yesterday, the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security held a hearing titled “Keeping Goods Moving: Continuing to Enhance Multimodal Freight Policy and Infrastructure.” Witnesses included Mr. Derek J. Leathers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Werner Enterprises, Mr. Lance M. Fritz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Union Pacific, Mr. Michael L. Ducker, President and Chief Executive Officer, FedEx Freight, Mr. James Pelliccio, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Newark Container Terminal and on behalf of CAGTC.
A full hearing summary can be found here. Top takeaways from the hearing are:
- Witnesses expressed support for direct federal investment in transportation projects; multiple witnesses spoke at length in favor of both the FASTLANE and TIGER programs. In discussions about a potential $1 trillion infrastructure program, the witnesses urged inclusion of direct federal investment.
- Witnesses agreed that investment in the multimodal system is essential to U.S. competitiveness and were supportive of investments across the modes to accommodate future freight volume growth which will require flexibility and increased intermodal and multimodal movements. On dock rail and first-and-last mile connections were cited as improvements that will yield greater efficiency.
- There was general agreement that while public-private partnerships (P3s) will not work for every transportation project, there are opportunities – particularly through a competitive grant program – for private sector participation.
Best,
Katie Cross
Manager, Member Communications & Policy
Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
1444 Eye St N.W.
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 828-9100
tradecorridors.org