Biden highlights guardrails in State of the Union Biden highlights guardrails in State of the Union Tetschner applauds focus on safety and infrastructure in congressional address Pam / Wednesday, March 2, 2022 0 2991 Article rating: No rating In championing the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden specifically mentioned “highway guardrails” as a positive outcome of the legislation. This is apparently the first mention of guardrails in the history of these presidential addresses to Congress. Additionally, Biden announced that the nation would start fixing “over 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in disrepair.” That was in addition to 4,000 projects Biden said had already been announced. ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner commended the emphasis on infrastructure and the specific reference to a proven lifesaving device produced by ATSSA members. Read more
Smith: ATSSA members’ diligence made a difference with IIJA Smith: ATSSA members’ diligence made a difference with IIJA ATSSA Town Hall breaks down details of the infrastructure bill Pam / Thursday, November 18, 2021 0 4790 Article rating: 2.0 ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith told ATSSA members today that their diligence over the past 15 to 20 years played a significant role in the funding coming to roadway safety under the new infrastructure law. “You all should pat yourselves on the back,” Smith said during an ATSSA Town Hall to discuss the impact of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law on Monday. “This is a job well done.” The $1.2 trillion measure is a historic investment in transportation funding and includes a 5-year, $304 billion investment in roads and bridges, Smith said. He noted that’s a 34% increase over current spending for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and translates into $16.8 billion over five years for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Smith said he’s confident the HSIP funding will mean additional opportunities for ATSSA members. Read more
Legislation introduced to find alternative Highway Trust Fund revenues Legislation introduced to find alternative Highway Trust Fund revenues Pam / Tuesday, January 26, 2021 0 4374 Article rating: No rating Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03) has introduced H.R.383, the Road User Charge Advancement Act of 2021, legislation that would build on the Surface Transportation Systems Funding Alternatives (STSFA) program included in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The bill was originally introduced during the last Congress and included in the Moving Forward Act. If it secures passage this Congress, it would nearly double current funding to $35 million annually for STSFA. The STSFA program incentivizes states to find alternative funding solutions for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), as a reliance on revenues from the current gas tax becomes a less feasible method of keeping the HTF solvent. The federal gas tax has lost nearly 71% of its purchasing power since its most recent rate increase in 1993 due to inflation and the increase in fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles. Failure to develop new sources of revenue could see the HTF experience a $190 billion shortfall in the next decade. Read more
1Feb2023 ATSSA makes major updates to Corporate Training Program Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Read more
30Jan2023 ATSSA congratulates Crawford on leading Highways & Transit Subcommittee Monday, January 30, 2023 Read more