September 18, 2018
The Honorable Richard Durbin
Office of Senator Durbin
230 S. Dearborn St., Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
Dear Senator Durbin:
On behalf of the 700 businesses of Chamber630, I write to you regarding infrastructure investment needs around the country as they continue to grow. While we thank Congress for passing a five-year highway and public transportation bill in December 2015 (called Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act or the FAST Act), the job is not done.
The American Society of Civil Engineers, for example, is forecasting a $2 trillion infrastructure shortfall, which includes investments for surface transportation. And if our nation doesn’t address it, exports and productivity will decline, and the average American family will lose $3,400 annually. We also know that poor road conditions are a significant factor in highway fatalities, so investing in infrastructure makes Americans and our communities safer.
Infrastructure investment is a shared responsibility between the federal, state and local governments, along with the private sector. Each partner must do its part to ensure our nation has a 21st-century transportation system. This guarantees Americans – and our children and grandchildren – the dream of a vibrant economy, mobility and a good quality of life.
Even with passage of the FAST Act, the future funding and financing of transportation infrastructure is not done. The Administration and Congress must work together to identify and implement long-term sustainable funding solutions to safeguard needed investments in America’s future.
The American people hope we can count on your support in this important endeavor.
Sincerely,
Laura Crawford
CC: Board of Directors
