Goods movement industry leaders celebrate 25 years of promoting freight infrastructure

Freight and supply chain leaders from across the country came together for the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) Annual Meeting and 25th Anniversary Celebration. Themed “25 Years of Giving Freight A Voice,” attendees honored the organization’s quarter century of freight infrastructure advocacy and carried the CAGTC message for surface transportation reauthorization, due this year.

“As CAGTC marks 25 years of advancing the nation’s freight priorities, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and clear-eyed about the work that lies ahead,” said CAGTC Board Chair Erin Aleman, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. “Sustained, predictable federal investment across all freight modes is critical to keeping goods moving, strengthening supply chains, and enhancing safety and security in communities nationwide. CAGTC remains committed to working with policymakers as Congress develops the next surface transportation reauthorization.”

Meeting attendees heard remarks on surface transportation reauthorization from federal transportation leaders including Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Assistant Secretary Michael Rutherford of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy addressed the group as well, highlighting the new office’s important work.

In conjunction with the Annual Meeting, CAGTC released a new fact sheet, Wanted: Freight Funding, which highlights state-by-state freight funding needs based on unmet requests in select federal grant programs. The fact sheet underscores the need for targeted federal investment in the goods movement infrastructure that drives our economy. In total, the analysis found $40 billion of unmet needs across the nation.

“As we close out five years of unprecedented federal investment in freight infrastructure, CAGTC’s analysis shows that significant needs remain,” said CAGTC Executive Director Elaine Nessle. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was an important down payment on a stronger, more resilient goods movement system, but it is only the beginning. As Congress develops the next surface transportation reauthorization, CAGTC will continue to serve as freight’s voice and urge sustained, robust investment to address persistent gaps, strengthen supply chains, and keep our economy moving.”

CAGTC members also took the message directly to Capitol Hill, holding dozens of meetings with key Members of Congress to highlight freight infrastructure’s vital role powering America’s economy, supporting millions of jobs, and maintaining our competitive edge in the global marketplace.