Given the state of the economy, it seems like Americans have to look a little harder than usual for good news these days, but some came our way recently when Congress passed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (H.R. 4348). The bill authorizes new investment in federal highway and transit projects through September 30, 2014 – providing much-needed improvements in our national infrastructure and much-needed jobs for our struggling industry.
Many in the construction and transportation industries worked hard to urge legislators to approve the measure, and we at Sundt applaud them for their good work.
Steve Sandherr, Chief executive officer of AGC of America, noted, “The passage of the twenty-seven month transportation bill ends nearly three years’ worth of temporary extensions that have made it increasingly difficult for state and local officials to plan for, fund, and execute major new infrastructure projects. The new highway and transit bill should allow construction to finally begin on many long-delayed, vital projects. In addition, this bill will make it easier for a host of long-contemplated projects to move through a regulatory review process that until now was hopelessly inefficient.”
We agree, and we’re glad to see Congress moving ahead with initiatives that will benefit all Americans now and for many years to come.