The American Trucking Associations contends few highway projects would be eligible for funding under the proposed grant program contained in the bill, S 3629.

"What we need is a comprehensive approach to improving freight transportation for all modes that will move our economy forward," ATA said in a statement issued earlier this month. "This bill does not meet that need."

In its statement, ATA urged Congress to enact a surface transportation reauthorization bill this fall rather than focus on a separate freight bill.

"While we appreciate the recognition that the sponsors of this [freight] legislation have given to the importance of freight transportation, the highway reauthorization bill is almost a full year past due, and federal aid funding for highways is on the verge of collapse," ATA said. "This legislation does not remedy this growing crisis. We need to enact a responsible, comprehensive reauthorization bill."

Among its concerns with S 3629, ATA said the bill's provisions might be funded from the Highway Trust Fund, leaving less money available for states to invest in highway improvements.

The American Highway Users Alliance has also expressed opposition to the freight bill, contending it fails to recognize that the dominant feature of the nation's freight network is the National Highway System.

"While the U.S. has one of the most multimodal freight systems in the world, highways carry the vast majority of freight (both by value and weight) and would continue to do so regardless of growth in alternate freight modes under any realistic funding scenario," Greg Cohen, the alliance's president and CEO, wrote this month on the National Journal Transportation Experts Blog. "The Freight Act also fails to identify funding sources for its proposed grant program, a program that would not include funding to improve highway corridors and fix traffic bottlenecks (except near ports)."

Supporters of the bill, such as the American Association of Port Authorities, have praised its focus on developing a national freight strategy and funding projects that tie into highways.

"AAPA applauds the bill's sponsors for their focus on freight transportation and their recognition that seaports and efficient movement of cargo into, out of, and through ports is a critical part of our nation's freight transportation system," Kurt Nagle, AAPA's president and CEO, wrote on the National Journal blog. "Because ports and their connecting transportation infrastructure are critical links to the global marketplace, improving that infrastructure is of vital importance for AAPA member port authorities and the people, businesses, and regions they serve."

AASHTO Praises Some Parts of Freight Bill, Suggests Improvements Needed

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials believes a freight program needs to be created in the next surface transportation reauthorization, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley wrote in his blog posting. Horsley commended the bill's authors for bringing the idea forward to improve freight transportation in America, but noted highway improvements will be essential to accommodating future growth in freight traffic.

The bill "recognizes that freight transportation is essential to national prosperity and international competitiveness," Horsley wrote. "There are a number of provisions of the bill with which we agree, including the call for development of a national freight transportation policy, the creation of an Office of Freight Planning and Development, and a freight infrastructure grant program."

However, there are areas where further work is needed, Horsley contends.

"Any grant program should be broad enough to cover all freight needs including highway freight needs," he wrote. "The freight transportation network -- all modes -- is a system that cannot function without adequate highway capacity. ... We hope to work with the Freight Act's sponsors to improve its approach and to work with the authorizing committees in the Senate and House to develop a freight program in the next authorization that addresses key needs."