Biden Highlights Infrastructure, Provide Chain at State of the Union

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President Joe Biden touted infrastructure initiatives underway that may rebuild roads and bridges very important to the nation’s provide chain throughout his State of the Union handle Feb. 7, with efforts to enhance connectivity alongside freight and passenger corridors a key theme.

“Already we’ve funded over 20,000 initiatives, together with main airports from Boston to Atlanta to Portland — initiatives which can be going to place 1000’s of individuals to work rebuilding our highways, our bridges, our railroads, our tunnels, ports, airports, clear water, high-speed web all throughout America,” Biden informed Congress as he pointed to 2021’s Infrastructure Funding and Jobs Act, enacted with bipartisan help.

“This regulation will additional unite all of America,” the president continued, pointing to so-called megainfrastructure initiatives, reminiscent of rebuilding the Brent Spence Bridge in Kentucky. Of this span, he mentioned, “Constructed 60 years in the past. Badly in want of repairs. One of many nation’s most congested freight routes, carrying $2 billion price of freight each single day throughout the Ohio River.”

Talking extra broadly on provide chain connectivity, Biden proposed making certain merchandise and items originate domestically. “I do know I’ve been criticized for saying this, however I’m not altering my view,” he mentioned. “We’re going to ensure the provision chain for America begins in America.”

President Biden introduced funding for 9 main infrastructure initiatives throughout the nation. These investments will create good-paying jobs, develop the financial system, strengthen provide chains, enhance mobility for residents, and make our transportation methods safer. pic.twitter.com/cqR4Br0rTY

— The White Home (@WhiteHouse) February 1, 2023

Final month, the administration introduced $1.2 billion in grants for enormous infrastructure development initiatives necessary to the provision chain, together with the Brent Spence Bridge. Additionally included within the administration’s so-called Nationwide Infrastructure Challenge Help program had been a freight hall alongside Interstate 10 in Mississippi, a bridge alternative venture alongside I-10 in Louisiana, and passenger rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey.

The give attention to infrastructure was welcomed by American Trucking Associations Chairman Dan Van Alstine, who informed Transport Matters the president’s remarks about rebuilding roads and bridges resonated with the business he represents.

“It’s a precedence that we rejoice,” Van Alstine mentioned Feb. 8. The president and chief working officer of Ruan Transportation Administration Methods, Van Alstine attended the handle with members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. “Clearly our roads and bridges and our highways have been uncared for for many years, and positively we applaud the thought of reinvesting in essential infrastructure,” he mentioned.

Van Alstine additionally praised, “the give attention to roads and bridges and significant infrastructure needed for our business to maneuver our financial system.”

The infrastructure invoice additionally included a program to coach youthful drivers for careers in trucking. Van Alstine famous the business affords myriad alternatives for entrants to determine careers in freight operations, together with drivers. ATA lately decided the business’s workforce is brief about 78,000 drivers.

Different business stakeholders highlighted Biden’s give attention to coverage and regulatory issues.

“President Biden harassed the necessity for Congress to achieve throughout the aisle to assist hardworking People,” mentioned Todd Spencer, president of the Proprietor-Operator Impartial Drivers Affiliation. “Our 150,000 members throughout America are prepared and keen to proceed working with the administration and Congress on bipartisan options that we now have lengthy championed, reminiscent of laws to increase the truck parking provide, to make sure truckers have fundamental restroom entry, and to create a fairer driver compensation mannequin.”

Mentioned Maria Lehman, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers: “We can’t help a wholesome financial system on deteriorating infrastructure, and these investments will underpin long-term prosperity for People.”

Congressional transportation leaders reacted to the president’s handle largely alongside occasion strains. “Due to our historic investments within the bipartisan infrastructure regulation, the CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Discount Act, we added 800,000 manufacturing jobs throughout our nation. And the variety of clear power jobs will proceed to rise because the Biden administration continues to implement these legal guidelines,” Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) noticed. He chairs the Setting and Public Works Committee on highways.

“As most People know simply by their final grocery invoice or heating invoice, the inflation, provide chain and power crises on this nation are nonetheless very actual and proceed to drive up the prices of nearly all the pieces,” mentioned Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “All of those crises have been made worse by the administration’s spending and insurance policies, however as an alternative of specializing in the essential infrastructure that may enhance the provision chain and assist decrease the prices of products and power, the president is focusing extra on his administration’s inexperienced, woke priorities.

“As we transfer forward this Congress, I look ahead to shifting laws by means of the Home that focuses on addressing the nation’s most important infrastructure wants and tackling provide chain challenges.”

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