The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) Board of Directors has formally approved a resolution formally supporting the recently released consensus report titled “Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future”, by signing the ACPA resolution in support of this plan.
ISCP published an article in February on this report titled “Compelling Presentation—Viable Plan for U.S. Interstate Highway System”. For the article, please go to: https://www.concretepavements.org/2019/02/11/compelling-trb-presentation-viable-plan-for-interstate-highway-system/
The report and plan within were the result of language in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST Act), which called for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) to conduct a study on the actions needed to upgrade and restore the Interstate and Defense Highway System.
From the study, an action plan was developed that includes 10 key recommendations to Congress, including innovative concepts and actionable measures that are favorable to state transportation agencies, taxpayers, highway users, and the transportation-construction industry. It’s the ACPA board’s view that the report offers viable solutions that they hope will be included in the next surface transportation bill. The resolution means ACPA will work proactively to support the report and plan in our communications, outreach, and advocacy efforts.
One of the key points of the study suggests current spending levels are much too low, and that $45 to $70 billion are needed annually over the next 20 years to undertake the long-deferred rebuilding of pavements and bridges, as well as to accommodate and manage growing user demand. This figure applies to Interstate highways only and not the full Federal-aid highway system or other highways.
The plan is seen as especially credible and valuable because of TRB’s world-class reputation in transportation research. TRB is one of seven program units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which provides independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conducts other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The oversight committee also adds credibility because it was led by 15 prominent professionals representing the public and private sectors and academia, including the Honorable Norman Mineta, Former U.S Representative and Secretary of Transportation.
ACPA is hopeful that this well-crafted plan (in whole or in part) will inform the next transportation reauthorization legislation. To see the ACPA resolution in support of this plan, please go to: http://www.acpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ACPA-Resolution-in-Support-of-Intersate-Renewal-Plan-030619.pdf
For additional information about the report & plan, or about infrastructure investment, please contact Bill Davenport, ACPA
Phone: 847.423.8703 | Mobile: 847.687.2733
9450 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. | Suite 150 | Rosemont, IL 60018
To download the PDF of the report “Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future”, please click on the link in first paragraph, or go to: https://www.nap.edu/resource/25334/interstate/