Obama reinforces commitment to infrastructure

Obama reinforces commitment to infrastructure Investing in the nation’s infrastructure is doubly important today because it can create 2 million jobs when unemployment is rising and the economy is losing altitude, presidential candidate Barack Obama said in a letter to the National Industrial Transportation League released Monday night.
   Obama, responding to the organization’s request to explain his position on transportation infrastructure, reiterated his proposal earlier this year for a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank capitalized with $60 billion over 10 years and for investment in clean energy industries to reduce dependence on oil.
   The NIT League said it made a similar request to the John McCain campaign, but hasn’t received a response.
   Obama acknowledged the importance of rail transportation and inland waterways as modes that can help reduce pollution and congestion, but didn’t provide any details on how to upgrade those networks.
   “We cannot afford to wait on funding for updated infrastructure and technology to meet increasing passenger and freight demand,” the Democratic senator wrote.
   Obama noted that he supported the recent passage of the Water Resources Development Act “and I will continue to ensure that the federal government invests in upgrading our national water infrastructure to support economic growth.
   “My running mate Joe Biden and I will provide better leadership that supports the priorities of your members, and we hope to have your votes on Nov. 4,” he concluded.