Business Group Puts Spotlight on Reauthorization, ARTBA Leaders Give Their Perspective

What happened: ARTBA leaders Tony Boals of Wright Brothers Construction (pictured above far left) and Fred Wagner of Jacobs (second from right) urged reforms to enhance project delivery during the March 17 U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Keep America Moving Summit.” Conversations focused on one of Congress’ key to-do items this year – reauthorization of surface transportation programs.

What they said: Boals and Wagner spoke alongside Tennessee Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Will Reid and former Nevada DOT Director Kristina Swallow on a panel session seeking legislative and regulatory solutions to project delivery challenges.

• Boals shared that, “from a contractor’s perspective, non-construction delays such as regulatory and permitting are the single biggest bottleneck.” He urged the next reauthorization bill to bring stable, sustainable funding to enable certainty and long-term planning.
• Wagner noted that despite recent U.S. Supreme Court permitting wins, unnecessary procedural hurdles remain. He emphasized commonsense fixes, such as expanding NEPA assignment and expanding One Federal Decision, both key ARTBA reauthorization priorities.
• Several members of Congress, including House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Senate Environmental & Public Works Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) were also on hand to share priorities and build momentum for the next bill due Sept. 30.

What’s next: Lawmakers are targeting April for release of new surface transportation legislation, making the need for ARTBA members to come to Washington and urge timely enactment all the more critical. Register today for ARTBA’s Federal Issues Program and Fly-In May 11-13, and make sure your voice is heard.