Statement of the Association of American Railroads on the ‘American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement of the Association of American Railroads on the ‘American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act’
WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 9, 2012
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) commends the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for advancing H.R. 7, the “American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act.” The long-term reauthorization of our nation’s critical surface transportation programs is necessary and long overdue.
AAR is particularly pleased that the Committee approved a bipartisan provision calling for a study of longer and heavier trucks. The provision will ensure that transportation professionals evaluate – in advance – the impact that such trucks could have on public safety, on tens of thousands of structurally deficient bridges, on pavement wear and tear, and on the possible diversion of cargo traffic away from the freight railroads and onto our overcrowded highways.
The study results should help inform policy makers about the magnitude of additional funding that longer and heavier trucks would need to contribute to highway and bridge maintenance in order to avoid further cross subsidization from other highway users and the general taxpayer.
AAR is also pleased that the Committee chose to continue dedicated funding for the critical Section 130 highway-railroad grade crossing program, and that the Committee modified certain requirements associated with the installation of positive train control.
As the leaders of the Committee prepare for floor consideration of H.R. 7, AAR requests that all members support these important provisions as reported from the Committee without change. Further, AAR recommends House passage of H.R. 7 so that differences with the Senate, such as mass transit funding, can be reconciled and a long-term, fully funded surface transportation bill can be enacted.
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For more information contact: Patti Reilly,
preilly@aar.org
, 202-639-2342 or Holly Arthur, harthur@aar.org, 202-639-2344.
About AAR: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Learn more at www.aar.org. Follow us on Twitter: AAR_FreightRail or Facebook: www.facebook.com/freightrail.