ARTBA Chair & U.S. DOT Secretary Discuss America’s Transportation Infrastructure at TCC Fly-In

ARTBA Chair Tony Fassino (left) and Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on stage at the TCC Fly-In in Washington, D.C., May 12.

What happened: U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and ARTBA Chair Tony Fassino of Caterpillar Inc., held a “fireside chat” at yesterday’s Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In in Washington, D.C.

“This is the most bipartisan space in all of government,” Secretary Duffy told the audience. “Almost everyone loves infrastructure.”

The discussion highlighted the need to build projects faster and more efficiently, the role of innovation, and steps the department is taking to keep America building.

Why it matters: “The surface transportation reauthorization is critical for our industry and everyone who relies on our country’s transportation system,” said Fassino said after the event. “A significant, long-term investment will help modernize our national infrastructure network, enhance safety for workers and the public, attract and develop the next generation of skilled workers and enable faster project delivery.”

Other lawmakers delivered remarks, including House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), who said Democrats stand ready to be strong partners in delivering a robust reauthorization bill on time.

What’s next: ARTBA members have been on Capitol Hill today meeting with their members of Congress and underscoring the importance of passing a long-term highway and transit bill before current law expires Sept. 30.