The week of May 10 through May 16, 2020 has, by presidential proclamation, been declared National Transportation Week. Since 1962, Congress has declared by joint resolution that the week during which “National Defense Transportation Day” falls be designated as “National Transportation Week.”
“NWRA is proud to support robust investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure. It will make roads and bridges safer for our industry’s workforce and customers, reduce transportation costs, and make us more competitive globally,” said Darrell Smith, NWRA President and CEO. “Apart from the U.S. Postal Service, no industry other than waste and recycling travels every road in America at least once each week making us one of the most significant stakeholders on this issue.”
To fund reauthorization of the FAST Act that expires later this year, NWRA encourages Congress to work together and with the Trump Administration to develop an “all of the above” approach. Only a diverse set of revenue and financing streams can adequately supply the funding needed both to build new and repair existing infrastructure vital to our nation.
Introduction of “America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act” (ATIA), a five-year (FY ’21-’25), $287 billion bipartisan surface transportation bill was an important first step in addressing our nation’s transportation infrastructure needs. Congestion and needed road repairs impact the waste and recycling industry’s ability to deliver its services that are essential to maintaining the quality of American life efficiently and in a timely manner.
The bill also will authorize new programs to incentivize key priorities including safety, resiliency, and emission reductions. ATIA increases funding to the existing Highway Safety Improvement Program and supports state-led initiatives to lower driver and pedestrian fatalities which can help better protect frontline waste and recycling collection industry employees. NWRA supports inclusion of safety provisions to support state “Move Over” laws covering the waste and recycling industry.