ATA’s Graves Hails Senate Transport Plan

The American Trucking Associations joined an array of business groups praising a transportation spending plan approved by a Senate Committee, hailing the committee’s decision to steer clear of placing tolls on Interstate highways.

ATA President and CEO Bill Graves called tolling a “siren song” in a time of fiscal austerity. The trucking association says raising federal fuel taxes unchanged since the 1990s would be a fairer and more efficient way to secure financing.

He also praised the inclusion of freight-related provisions in the bill, including a bill commonly called “Jason’s Law” in memory of murdered trucker Jason Rivenburg that would provide more safe parking nationwide for truck drivers.

“By consolidating the myriad of federal programs into just a handful of major initiatives, including one dedicated solely to the movement of freight, This draft ensures that federal dollars will be spent more wisely,” said Graves.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved the two-year, $109 billion surface transportation plan on Monday, although it won’t progress until senators plug the plan’s $12 billion shortfall.

The bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21, would replace the surface transportation authorization that expires March 31, 2012. The bill would send some $85.3 billion to highway programs and provide funds for intermodal freight connectors and railway and highway grade separations.

Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter at @wbcassidy_joc