Since its inception in 2001, the Coalition has greatly elevated the profile of our nation’s multimodal freight network through consistent outreach to Congress, the Administration, transportation stakeholders and the media. In addition to increasing awareness of freight system needs, the Coalition aims to develop Congressional consensus for federal investment policy that support freight mobility. Through our efforts, each successive transportation reauthorization has reflected increased dedication to improving the condition of the United States’ goods movement network.

Our Record of Success 

• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021: made a historic $77.9 billion available to fund freight system needs across the United States, including a 40% funding increase for the existing freight formula and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) programs. Increased the cap on non-highway funding under the freight formula and INFRA programs from 10% to 30%, improving the ability of states and localities to invest in their most pressing freight infrastructure need, regardless of mode. Established the MEGA program for projects of national and regional significance, and funded critical programs such as Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI), Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), BUILD/ RAISE, and the Rail Crossing Elimination Program (RCE), among others. Established the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy within the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.
• Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, 2015: created a federal, multimodal freight policy to provide a comprehensive view of the multimodal transportation network in the U.S. and to guide decision making. Expanded the PFN to 41,000 centerline miles and renamed it the Primary Highway Freight System (PHFS).  Mandated the designation of the National Multimodal Freight System (NMFS), which includes intermodal connectors and has no mileage limit. Created the freight-focused Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program (INFRA) to fund large projects to improve or enhance U.S. highways and freight infrastructure, $500 million over the five year duration of the program can be used for non-highway projects. Also created a freight formula project, the National Highway Freight Program, to enhance freight mobility on the national highway freight network.
• Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), 2012: mandated the designation of the the Primary Freight Network (PFN), a highway-only network limited to 27,000 centerline miles of roadways critical to the movement of freight.
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009: created the National Infrastructure Investments program (referred to as TIGER by the Obama Administration and BUILD by the Trump Administration), a competitive grant program that funds capital investments in infrastructure projects across all modes.
• Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), 2005: created the Projects of National and Regional Significance (PNRS) program, which provided funding for high cost surface transportation projects (including freight rail) of national or regional importance.