Sunday marks six months until MAP-21, our current surface transportation bill, expires.
If it wasn’t time to get things moving before, now it certainly is.
There are plenty of things to consider when talking about the new bill. Probably the biggest topic is funding sources. There have been talks of a higher gas tax, tolling implementation, a vehicle mile traveled fee and more.
And, of course, there’s the problem of the Highway Trust Fund — a big problem. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) noted on its website this month that the HTF could run out of money as early as the end of July — an entire two months before MAP-21 expires.
As MAP-21’s expiration draws nearer, I encourage you to take some time to educate yourself and your elected officials about the importance of a new surface transportation bill and a solution to the dwindling highway trust fund.
Here on BetterRoads.com, we’ve shared a few resources that you may want to revisit:
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Nation at a Crossroads – American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
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#TranspoChat – International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA)
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Transportation Investment Advocate Center – American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)
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Hardhats for Highways – Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC)
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“Tell Congress, ‘Fix the Highway Trust Fund!’” video – ARTBA
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“2014 State of the State” database – Building America’s Future (BAF)
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Dire States: The Drive to Revive America’s Ailing Infrastructure – Case Construction Equipment
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“I’m Stuck” mobile app – BAF
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2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure – American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
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Keep America Moving – American Highway Users Alliance
If you have any resources you would like to share as well, be sure to leave a comment or email me at [email protected].