Coalition urges full funding of U.S. highway bill

A coalition of transportation professionals in Louisiana wants the state’s congressional delegation to fully fund a new transportation bill. The eight-member coalition, led by the Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association, is asking Louisiana’s U.S. senators and representatives to support the Senate version of the highway bill, which keeps funding at current levels. The House version cuts funding by more than 30% and would cost Louisiana more than 8,000 jobs, according to the Federal Highway Administration. “We have joined with transportation industries and engineering organizations to sound the alarm that Louisiana’s transportation program is at a crisis point because of a lack of adequate public sector funding. … Any cuts to federal transportation funding will lead directly to higher unemployment in our state and to serious degradation of our state transportation system,” the letter states. “This is about our state having a transportation system that meets its citizens’ economic and safety needs,” LGRTA President Ken Perret says. “We all felt a professional obligation to take action on behalf of our profession and on behalf of Louisiana.” The coalition that sent the letter comprises members from the Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association, such as the Louisiana Associated General Contractors, Louisiana Engineering Society and Louisiana Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. To see the letter, click here.