"This is the first in a series of hearings to spotlight important areas of focus in the process of authorizing surface transportation programs," said Boxer, D-CA. "In coming weeks, we will be considering many important aspects of the surface transportation authorization including, among other topics, federal, state, and local partnerships to accelerate transportation benefits, mobility and congestion in urban and rural America, and transportation's impact on the environment."

Boxer indicated she would use the draft authorization bill approved last summer by the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee as a framework for the Senate counterpart.

"We're going to take their bill and work from it," she said.

Boxer pledged to take up the bill this year, seeking to write the Senate version before her committee colleagues Sens. George Voinovich, R-OH, and Kit Bond, R-MO, retire at the end of this year. Voinovich last week secured a promise from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, that the chamber will debate a six-year transportation authorization bill this year. (see Feb. 26 AASHTO Journal story)

Boxer, in discussing transportation investment's importance in economic recovery, highlighted its role as "a proven job creator." She referred to AASHTO's findings, included in its recently published report "Projects and Paychecks," which identified more than 280,000 direct on-project jobs that have been created or saved through highway and transit funding made possible under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-OK, and ranking minority member of the EPW Committee, welcomed the hearing as an opportunity to clarify how transportation investment supports the economy. He signaled a bipartisan tone in his remarks concerning the need for long-term authorization legislation.

Inhofe explained that he appreciates the role of infrastructure spending in stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Inhofe also emphasized how the impact of those funds go beyond just the immediate employment and economic benefits.

"The greatest impact is over the long-run -- when the new roads and bridges add to productivity by improving mobility," he said.

Rahn Cites State DOTs' Success with Recovery Funds

Pete Rahn, director of the Missouri Department of Transportation, testified on behalf of AASHTO. Rahn was the first to speak during a panel of witnesses who discussed what transportation investment means to the economy and employment. Rahn talked about the progress made by states in using recovery funds to create jobs and rebuild national prosperity.

All states met the March 2 deadline for 100 percent obligation of recovery highway dollars.

"Every state obligated every highway dollar they were eligible to receive and not one dime will be turned back to Washington, DC, for redistribution," Rahn said. (see related story)

Rahn emphasized the importance of funding for transportation infrastructure to the larger U.S. economy.

"These investments will help sustain the recovery; they will create more jobs, more opportunities, and a better future," he testified.

Rahn also discussed the upcoming release of an AASHTO report on freight transportation. That report will focus on the ever-growing demand for freight transportation and the capacity of the nation's highway, rail, and water transportation systems to effectively handle freight.

Boxer singled out Rahn for his comments on why a transportation authorization bill is crucial. She told him, "You brought it home to the American people and to us that there are consequences for our action or inaction."

Other Witnesses Focus on Ability of Transportation to Generate Jobs

William Buechner, vice president for economics and research at the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, likewise testified on the overall importance of transportation investment. He talked about why robustly funded authorization legislation is needed to spur economic growth and protect the transportation infrastructure network.

"Enactment of a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill that significantly boosts federal highway and public transportation investment is one of the best steps Congress can take to promote job creation and economic strength," Buechner said.

Tom Foss, president of the California-based engineering contractor Griffith Co., testified on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America.

"Increased investment in our transportation infrastructure is good for the country and for the construction industry in both the short term and the long term," Foss said.

Raymond Poupore, executive vice president of the National Construction Alliance II, similarly stressed to the committee the importance of transportation funding both immediately and over the long haul to national well-being and economic priorities.

"We need a short-term investment in infrastructure now to reach underutilized markets in the 2010 construction season," he said, "and we need a long-range, multiyear authorization designed to provide certainty to planners, contractors, and workers, ensuring that the nation's highways are safe and efficient and that the United States reasserts its place as the world's economic powerhouse, undergirded by a world-class infrastructure."

Statements from Boxer, Inhofe, and the four witnesses as well as a video of the hearing are available at tinyurl.com/SEPWC030310.