The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) told federal policy makers that the nation’s transportation network and supply chain are “only as strong as its weakest link” and called for increased growth and investment in the U.S. Maritime Transportation System (U.S. MTS).
The comments were submitted February 14 to the House Ways and Means Subcommittees on Select Revenue Measures and Oversight. ARTBA also commended the efforts of Subcommittee Chairmen Charles Boustany (R-La.) and Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio), who held a joint hearing earlier this month on the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the Harbor Maintenance Tax. The hearing was the beginning of an important discussion on how to improve the nation’s maritime transportation infrastructure, ARTBA says.
The association noted that the nation’s ports and waterways serve as vital links for international and domestic trade, and play an important role in the nation’s economic future. Improvement projects in this arena also support substantial, long-term employment and growth in manufacturing, agriculture, mining and logistics sectors.
ARTBA also noted that many exportable U.S. products cannot compete in the global marketplace as a result of national export supply chain limitations. Inadequate port and waterway infrastructure and short comings in other components of the nation’s transportation network undermine the export supply chain and overall competitiveness of the nation.
ARTBA’s comments are based on policies developed by the association’s Ports and Waterways Council (PWC), which includes members of the engineering, heavy construction, material and supply, and dredging sectors. The PWC is chaired by Pierce Homer, transportation director, Moffatt & Nichol and Will Spielvogel, COO, Jay Cashman, Inc. Its primary mission is to develop and advocate consensus transportation design and construction policy positions, recommendations and programs aimed at growing a well-funded and efficient infrastructure market for the U.S. MTS.
The year 2012 marks ARTBA’s 110th anniversary of serving as the “consensus voice” of the U.S. transportation design and construction industry.
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Dredging Today Staff, February 20, 2012; Image: usace