OOIDA joins coalition to urge FAST Act extension

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association joined 87 other organizations to implore Congress to extend the FAST Act for another year.

The current surface transportation law – 2015’s Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act – expires on Sept. 30. OOIDA and other organizations, such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce sent a letter on Sept. 9 to congressional leaders.

“Public agencies continue to face COVID-19 pandemic-induced revenue declines,” the letter stated. “As a result, state and local entities already delayed or canceled $8 billion in surface transportation projects, with more on the horizon absent any clear sign of support from the federal government. Failure to approve a one-year extension with increased funding for the purpose of stability would only exacerbate this dire situation.”

The groups urged Congress to pass legislation before Sept. 30 that includes:

A turn-key, one-year extension of the current surface transportation law with increased investment levels.
Emergency federal funding for state departments of transportation and public agencies – $37 billion and $32 billion, respectively.
Provisions to ensure solvency of the Highway Trust Fund for the duration of the extension at a minimum.

“Passing legislation that includes the aforementioned priorities would enable critical improvements that increase the safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system,” the letter stated. “This timely action by Congress would tangibly enhance the quality of life for all Americans and jumpstart America’s economic recovery.”

The organizations supporting a FAST Act extension:

• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
• American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
• Associated General Contractors of America.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
• Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
• National Retail Federation.
• American Public Transportation Association.
• International Union of Operating Engineers
• Laborers’ International Union of North America.
• Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.
• National Association of Manufacturers.
• American Highway Users Alliance.
• Retail Industry Leaders Association.
• North America’s Building Trades Unions.
• American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Associated Builders and Contractors
• National Association of Counties.
• American Council of Engineering Cos.
• American Concrete Pavement Association.
• National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.
• American Concrete Pipe Association.
• American Traffic Safety Services Association.
• National Asphalt Pavement Association.
• Portland Cement Association.
• The Surety and Fidelity Association of America.
• Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association.
• American Subcontractors Association.
• Building America’s Future.
• Associated Equipment Distributors.
• American Iron and Steel Institute.
• American Institute of Steel Construction.
• National Steel Bridge Alliance.
• Auto Care Association.
• National Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
• National Association of Surety Bond Producers.
• American Public Works Association.
• Geospatial Equipment and Technology Institute.
• National Society of Professional Surveyors.
• Subsurface Utility Engineering Association.
• U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization.
• Intelligent Transportation Society of America.
• Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
• National Safety Council.
• League of American Bicyclists.
• Safe Routes Partnership.
• The Design-Build Institute of America.
• Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters.
• Governors Highway Safety Association.
• Association for the Improvement of American Infrastructure.
• Community Transportation Association of America.
• International Association of Iron Workers.
• Transport Workers Union of America.
• International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.
• Institute of Transportation Engineers.
• Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.
• Railway Supply Institute.
• National Utility Contractors Association.
• FP2 (formerly Foundation for Pavement Preservation).
• National Tour Association.
• United States Tour Operators Association.
• American Association of Port Authorities.
• Institute of Makers of Explosives.
• National Electrical Contractors Association.
• Industrial Minerals Association – North America.
• Construction & Demolition Recycling Association.
• National Association of County Engineers.
• The Association of Union Constructors.
• American Concrete Pumping Association.
• Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.
• Steel Manufacturers Association.
• Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute.
• Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association.
• National Parking Association.
• National Waste and Recycling Association.
• North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers.
• Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association.
• National Mining Association.
• Lubricant Manufacturers Association.
• Associated Wire Rope Fabricators.
• National Association of Trailer Manufacturers.
• Metals Service Center Institute.
• Corn Refiners Association.
• Amalgamated Transit Union.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. American Foundry Society.
• Women Construction Owners and Executives.
• NORA, an Association of Responsible Recyclers.