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May 25, 2021
Senator Tom Carper Senator Shelley Moore Capito Chairman Ranking Member Environment & Public Works Committee Environment & Public Works Committee 410 Dirksen Senate Office Building 456 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Senator Ben Cardin Senator Kevin Cramer Chairman Ranking Member Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee 509 Hart Senate Office Building 330 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senators:
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) commends you on the introduction of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act (STRA). The legislation would improve public safety and economic competitiveness, while helping deliver a surface transportation network that benefits all Americans. We urge all members of the Environment and Public Works Committee to support STRA during the May 26 full committee mark-up.
By authorizing $303.5 billion in highway and bridge improvements, a 34 percent investment boost, STRA would facilitate immediate and long-term economic growth as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. States would be empowered to deliver a broad mix of transportation solutions through the proven effectiveness of formula programs. Furthermore, the measure includes important environmental review and approval process reforms that would accelerate the delivery of needed mobility and safety enhancements.
The bipartisan consensus shown by the STRA’s introduction indicates transportation infrastructure policy remains an area that can bring both sides to the table on shared priorities. We greatly appreciate your leadership to find common ground that will deliver tangible results.
We urge all members of the committee to vote ‘YES’ on the STRA, and we look forward to working with the committee and other committees of jurisdiction to ensure a long-term reauthorization bill that dramatically increases federal highway and transit investment is signed in to law, in advance of September 30.
Sincerely,
David Bauer President & CEO American Road and Transportation Builders Association