Logistics Management – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved a bill to extend the existing highway program for 18 months.

But that development fails to meet the urgent needs of U.S. shippers, said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The Congress and Administration need to make America’s crumbling transportation infrastructure a priority,” he said.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorizes surface transportation spending for a six-year period and is scheduled to expire on September 30. To increase federal transportation dollars, the Chamber called on Congress to explore all funding options, including raising user fees, encouraging private investment, and creating an infrastructure bank. The Chamber also supports safeguarding money collected from gas taxes and other fees for transportation-specific projects as well as cutting red tape associated with those projects.

“The Administration and Congress included vital funds for transportation in the stimulus package, but the job isn’t done yet,” Donohue said.

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) meanwhile, has lauded specific language in a 90-page blueprint released by Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 would give priority status to freight and freight mobility as part of the federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation that would replace the SAFETEA-LU bill.

“Congressman Oberstar’s proposed bill addresses goods movement challenges in ways that would help alleviate freight congestion on America’s roads, rails and waterways, and that’s a crucial step in propelling the country’s long-term prosperity, security and environmental well-being,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s president and CEO. “Seaports can play a critical role in our national economic recovery, but they need higher levels of federal investment in connecting infrastructure to create jobs, alleviate congestion and deliver prosperity. Language in this bill goes a long way toward achieving that goal.” [read more…]