Copyright 2002 Commonwealth Business Media  
Journal of Commerce - JoC Online
September 10, 2002, Tuesday
SECTION: LOGISTICS; Pg. WP

LENGTH: 397 words

HEADLINE: TEA-21 needs proper funding: Execs

BYLINE: JOC ONLINE

BODY:
Stakeholders in the U.S. transportation network told Congress that with the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) only a year away, sufficient funding is critically important to ensure the integrity of the supply-chain infrastructure. Michael Huerta, senior vice president and managing director, ACS State and Local Solutions, an information technology outsourcing specialist based in Dallas, called upon Congress for a minimum of $2 billion annual funding for the Borders and Corridors Programs to meet the country's freight infrastructure needs.

Huerta testified in Washington on behalf of the Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) at a hearing held cooperatively by subcommittees of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee.

"International trade is the key to America's economic future. The U.S. economy has benefited from our nation's rapidly increasing trade, but these benefits will only last as long as we invest in our transportation infrastructure to keep America's freight moving," said Huerta.

"Unfortunately, the current Borders and Corridors Programs have fallen short of the intended goals because the programs were funded at levels far less than necessary to meet freight transportation and intermodal connector needs," he added.

As an example, Huerta observed that since the beginning of the programs, requests from states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations have exceeded available funds by a ratio of 15:1.

"In the past many legislators have overlooked the importance of freight movement to our country's success and future," said Wally Baker, senior vice president, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). As a member of CAGTC, we are committed to making sure intermodal freight gets its fair share in the reauthorization of TEA-21."

"We are encouraged by today's hearing and hope Congress will continue to focus attention on the needs of freight and intermodal connectors," said Leslie Blakey, executive director Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors.

CAGTC is a coalition of more than 20 organizations supporting federal investment in intermodal freight infrastructure. It also promotes a seamless freight transportation system across all modes to enhance capacity and economic growth.

LOAD-DATE: September 11, 2002