Transportation leaders warn of U.S. infrastructure woes
The U.S. transportation system that supports the movement of freight is facing a crisis: in ten years, an additional 1.8 million trucks will be on the road in the United States; in twenty years, one truck will be added for every two today; major highway bottlenecks already are adding to the cost of food and other goods for American consumers
Transportation officials from across the country are warning that the U.S. transportation system that supports the movement of freight is facing a crisis and are urging new investments in roads and other transportation modes.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) released a study last Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa showing that investments in roads, railroads, ports, waterways and airports are below what is needed.
AASHTO estimates that in ten years, an additional 1.8 million trucks will be on the road. In twenty years, one truck will be added for every two today, they say.
Major highway bottlenecks already are adding to the cost of food and other goods for American consumers, the organization said.
Sioux City Journal quotes AASHTO president Larry L. “Butch” Brown to say that in order to compete globally, officials will have to address the needs for a freight economy and invest in new capacity. “We’ve got to be able to move goods from A to B, regardless of where A is or B is in our country,” Brown said.
The organization’s recommendations include the expansion of the interstate system and upgrading many non-interstate highways. AASHTO also is urging the development and funding of a strategic national freight program.
“If we want to keep our country moving, we’ve got to keep freight moving. It’s as simple as that,” said Iowa Department of Transportation director Nancy Richardson.
Richardson said the capacity and condition of the transportation system is at a tipping point and said the issue matters in Iowa in order to move its products.
“If there are bottlenecks and there are condition and capacity issues on our road system or our rail system in other parts of the country, those ultimately affect us and our ability to move our product out in a timely way, efficiently and effectively,” Richardson said.
She is hopeful the report will spur lawmakers, policy makers and citizens to demand increased investment in the freight system.
