U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-MN, were featured at the listening session sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It's the second in a series of meetings LaHood has planned around the country to solicit public opinion about America's transportation needs and what should be included in the next long-term transportation authorization measure. The forum took place at the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota business newspaper Finance and Commerce reported.

"I am here to tell you that President Obama wants a robust, comprehensive transportation program for America," LaHood said. "He believes in it. ... He knows that this is the way to put people to work and to continue to rebuild America's infrastructure."

The Obama administration has asked Congress to delay a long-term surface transportation authorization measure until Spring 2011. The last authorization law, known as "SAFETEA-LU," expired Sept. 30. Congress has thus far temporarily extended it three times, with the current extension expiring Feb. 28.

Other elected officials attending Monday's forum included Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Reps. Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum, all D-MN, as well as Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Other U.S. DOT officials attending included Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, Federal Motor Carrier Administrator Anne Ferro, Undersecretary for Policy Roy Kienitz, and Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Polly Trottenberg.

Minnesota Transportation Commissioner Thomas Sorel and Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi were among state DOT officials who participated in Monday's session.

Busalacchi spoke about the recommendtions of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, of which he was a member. The 12-member commission determined America needs to invest at least $225 billion annually from all sources for each of the next 50 years to upgrade the nation's existing transportation system and create a more advanced system for the future. The country is only spending 40 percent of this level today, Busalacchi noted.

He also talked about the need for the federal government to continue its investment in high speed and intercity passenger rail.

"Rail provides critical interconnectivity among modes, provides mobility for those who cannot drive or fly, and contributes to improved environmental quality," Busalacchi said. "I just returned from China, where investments in passenger rail are off the chart. They are spending billions of dollars to connect cities across their country."

Private sector participants included Tim Lynch, senior vice president of the American Trucking Associations. Lynch told officials that Congress must renew its commitment to keep the United States the world leader in transportation and its supporting infrastructure.

"We need to have a focus on freight and goods movement," Lynch said. "The next highway reauthorization must address congestion and the chokepoints or bottlenecks throughout the system that slow commerce, increase safety risks, and reduce our competitiveness in the global economy."