Our Goal
The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) was established to bring national attention to the need to significantly expand U.S. freight transportation capabilities and to work toward solutions for this growing national challenge. Our sole purpose is to raise public recognition and Congressional awareness of this need and to promote sufficient funding in federal legislation for trade corridors, gateways, intermodal connectors and freight facilities.
The Issue
Freight transportation is the backbone of America’s commerce. According to the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 2011 Freight Facts & Figures, more than $16 trillion dollars of freight was moved in the United States that year, accounting for $13 trillion in domestic shipments and $3 trillion in international exports and imports, making our nation’s goods movement system an integral part of any long-term economic gain.
These numbers are expected to grow – in 2011 FHWA predicted freight shipments will more than double between 2010 and 2040 to an estimated $39.5 trillion annually, with $10.3 trillion in goods being transported by multiple modes of transportation. This robust system of freight movement is an economic engine, producing millions of jobs and a higher standard of living for our population. Without the ability to quickly and cost effectively move goods into, out of and through the United States, America will not be able to maintain our standard of living and high employment levels.
Our Strategy
- Bring national attention to the needs of our multimodal freight system
- Educate members of Congress & develop consensus for federal investment policy that supports intermodal connectors, trade corridors, freight facilities and gateway access
- Educate the public, primarily through media outreach, to increase appreciation and support for freight system needs
Membership
CAGTC is comprised of over sixty representative organizations, including state DOTs, MPOs, ports, engineering firms, and freight corridors, that have come together to improve national freight policy.
CAGTC is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, governed by a Board of Directors and administered by the Washington, DC communications firm, Blakey & Agnew, LLC.