In a letter to all members of Congress, the coalition notes that unemployment in the construction industry is now at 17 percent; 1.5 million construction jobs have been lost since December 2007. Although projects made possible with federal economic recovery funding are putting people back to work, even if the recovery act succeeds in creating a goal of 700,000 jobs, "there will still be almost 1 million workers left behind," the letter states.

A comprehensive highway and transit authorization "would go far in putting them back to work and ensuring economic competitiveness for generations," the letter continues.

Certainty and continuity of transportation programs are needed while Congress works on a multiyear authorization bill, the letter states.

"Six months is a reasonable timeframe to advance a long-term reauthorization package while addressing other legislative priorities," the coalition wrote.

The letter stresses: "It is vitally important that the relevant Senate and House committees actually use this extension to make meaningful progress on SAFETEA-LU reauthorization, lest this six-month measure begin a series of extensions that unnecessarily delays needed investments and economic benefits. It is also imperative that any extension maintain the Highway Trust Fund's budgetary 'firewalls' that have been in place since 1998. Allowing these critical protections to lapse on the eve of a multiyear reauthorization bill would not only be bad policy, but could also be interpreted as a damaging precedent."

Organizations Bring Equipment to Capitol Hill to Push for Authorization

A caravan of bulldozers and other construction machinery displaying banners urging Congress to enact a multiyear transportation authorization measure traveled through the streets of Washington on Wednesday.

The parade was part of a campaign called "Start Us Up USA!" sponsored by the Associated Equipment Distributors and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The machinery was then used to stage a rally on the National Mall.

"Across the country, time is running out for the men and women of this industry as job losses continue to mount and prevent a broader economic recovery," said Toby Mack, AED president and CEO.

"New transportation funding is a critical component to spurring a recovery of the construction equipment industry nationwide and improving our nation's infrastructure," said Dennis Slater, AEM president.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar, D-MN, participated in the rally. Oberstar applauded the organizations for bringing idled construction equipment to the nation's capital to demonstrate how the sector is struggling. He said it's ironic that the United States is exporting idle construction machinery to countries such as China and India that are heavily investing public money in their infrastructure.

"We need a six-year investment bill that will create 6 million net new jobs, and help us to compete with China, India, and the rest of the world," Oberstar said.