Bipartisan legislation provides five years of funding for nation’s roads and bridges

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate tonight passed a final surface transportation reauthorization bill that provides more than $280 billion to maintain and improve the nation's highways, transit systems, and transportation safety programs. 

Senate approval came only hours after the legislation, known as the FAST Act, cleared the U.S. House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support.  Passage in both chambers clears the way for the measure to be signed into law by the President.  

“We've waited a long time for this moment; this is the first long-term highway bill since 2005,” said James G. Toscas, president and CEO of the Portland Cement Association (PCA). “Congress has finally proven to the American people that our nation’s transportation infrastructure is a priority.  We applaud the leaders in the House and Senate for a successful bipartisan effort.”  

The bill includes several elements proposed by the cement industry, such as the authorization of a federal study to analyze the impact of pavement stiffness on vehicle fuel economy, the reauthorization of the Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies (AID-PT) program, and Hours of Service (HOS) exemptions for the ready-mixed concrete industry.

About PCA
PCA has been a widely-recognized authority on the technology, economics, and applications of cement and concrete for nearly 100 years.   Representing America's cement manufacturers, PCA is a vocal advocate for sustainability, economic growth, sound infrastructure investment, and overall innovation and excellence in construction.  More information on PCA is available at www.cement.org.