An ad hoc group of 23 trade associations* sent a letter on Friday, March 20, 2020 to key federal and state government officials urging their support for considering infrastructure construction as an essential service. The letter was sent to President of the United States, Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Acting Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan and all state governors. In making the request, the group cited and expressed appreciation for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
The group stated as a request:
As the US Chamber of Commerce suggested, we encourage the federal government recommend exemptions for “essential infrastructure” that allows individuals to leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “essential infrastructure,” including, but not limited to, public works construction, airport operations, roads and highways, and public transportation.
Also in support of the industries that build, design and maintain our nation’s infrastructure, the group cited those who “provide the essential labor, materials, and support for the construction industry through roadway safety devices and equipment distribution and maintenance.”
The letter continued with a statement that “Public works construction, roads and highways, transportation infrastructure, and the materials used for these projects are critical to our nation’s ability to deliver medical supplies and services, food and goods, and clean water and energy to the American people, especially as we address this pandemic.” For a copy of the letter, please go to: www.acpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Joint-Essential-Letter-3.20-revised.pdf
*Signatory organizations of the letter: American Coal Ash Association, American Concrete Pavement Association, American Concrete Pipe Association, American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association, American Concrete Pumping Association, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, American Traffic Safety Services Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Equipment Distributors, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Concrete Foundations Association, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Concrete Masonry Association, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Precast Concrete Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Portland Cement Association, and Tilt-Up Concrete Association.