Press Releases
Graves Statement from Hearing on FAST Act ImplementationGraves Statement Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Hearing on “FAST Act Implementation: State and Local Perspectives” April 5, 2017 (Remarks as Prepared)
I want to welcome all of our witnesses today. By now, we have all seen the reports of last week’s fire and resulting collapse of a section of I-85 northeast of Atlanta. This is a critically important piece of our Interstate System, carrying over 400,000 cars per day. With that volume of traffic, it is amazing that there was no loss of life in this incident. I commend state and local officials for responding so quickly to the crisis. I also want to commend U.S. Department of Transportation for acting quickly to release emergency funds and provide assistance. The FAST Act is the first long-term surface transportation reauthorization bill in a decade and is an important foundation for building a 21st century infrastructure. As a five-year bill, it provides needed certainty and funding so our non-federal partners can make smart, long-term investments. The FAST Act is a forward looking law that puts an emphasis on projects of national significance, the movement of freight, streamlining project delivery, and innovative solutions to transportation challenges. State departments of transportation, transit systems, and local entities have the important task of delivering transportation projects to their communities. As they carry out these projects, the witnesses have a firsthand view of how federal surface transportation policies are being implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation. We look forward to building a 21st century infrastructure with our state and local partners, and welcome their input today.
|