NSSGA continues to push for long-term highway funding

The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) of America is to testify today before the House Small Business Committee on the need for a long-term, stably-funded highway bill. Bill Schmitz of Gernatt Asphalt Products, Inc. will represent NSSGA at the hearing ‘The Road Ahead: Small Businesss and the Need for a Long-Term Surface Transportation Reauthorisation’.

Mr Schmitz’ testimony will speak to the needs of small businesses and the impact of Congress’ failure to enact a long-term highway funding bill as well as the uncertainty brought about by regulatory changes. He will point out that when the aggregates industry is doing well, America is doing well – the success of the aggregates industry is tied to the success of the American economy.

In his testimony, Mr Schmitz will say: “Our highway system infrastructure continues to deteriorate at a rate much faster than we are making repairs. Our local towns, counties and New York State DOT struggle to maintain adequate conditions, say nothing of reconstructing roads that have exceeded design life or design capacity. With federal funding in a continual state of limbo, states are unable to adequately plan for long term infrastructure repair and maintenance. With all this uncertainty small businesses, like ours, struggle to plan our futures. Our equipment is extremely expensive, so making huge capital equipment investments without a clear vision is difficult at best. Many things need to fall into place to do a project in the shortened construction seasons of the northern U.S. While it may not seem like (a) long time, a four-week delay in funding or awarding contracts will cause a project to lose a complete construction season and add to its cost. This causes a ripple effect, affecting many businesses along the supply chain resulting in a great deal of economic distress.”

He will ask that Congress stop ‘kicking the can down the road’ and reauthorize funding for the long-term. You can read the full testimony here.

Adapted from press release by Katherine Guenioui

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/03062015/nssga-continues-to-push-for-long-term-highway-funding-946/