Rep. Smith reintroduces Freight Infrastructure Reinvestment Act

The legislation calls for the establishment of a National Freight Mobility Infrastructure Fund, which would be supported through a 1 percent fee on the shipment of freight cargo, to administer grants for infrastructure projects.    U.S. House Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., reintroduced the Freight Infrastructure Reinvestment Act, H.R. 3769, on Wednesday to improve freight infrastructure and transportation across the United States.
   The Freight Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2017 has been cosponsored by Congressmen Albio Sires, D-N.J., and Keith Ellison, D-Minn.
   The legislation calls for the establishment of a National Freight Mobility Infrastructure Fund to administer grants for infrastructure projects, according to a press release issued by Smith’s office.
   The National Freight Mobility Infrastructure Fund would be supported through a 1 percent fee on the shipment of freight cargo.
   “FIRA will support projects like the construction of highway ramps to carry freight, the reinforcement of roads and bridges for heavier traffic and vehicle volume, the improvement of marine terminals facilities used for freight, and the expansion of rail and highway tunnels to accommodate increased cargo,” Smith’s office said.
   The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC), an advocacy group comprised of over 60 representative organizations that focus on promoting freight infrastructure development and efficiency through public policy, expressed support for the legislation on Friday.
   CAGTC Chairman and Executive Vice President of Crossroads Strategies Tim Lovain noted the importance of freight infrastructure funding and investment solutions, pointing out how freight movement across all modes is expected to grow nearly 42 percent by 2040.
   Looking ahead, a spokesperson from Smith’s office told American Shipper on Friday, “The next step for H.R. 3769 would be a vote in the Water Resources subcommittee. It would then need to move to a vote by the full Transportation and Infrastructure committee, then it would need to be voted on by Ways and Means.”