ARTBA starts “Gridlock Clock”

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has launched a "Gridlock Clock" drawing attention to the nearly 840 days that have passed since the expiration of the last multiyear surface transportation reauthorization law, known as SAFETEA-LU.

"The time for Congressional dithering and gamesmanship is over," said ARTBA President Pete Ruane. "It's now time for the Congress to do its job and take action on a long-term highway and transit investment bill."

ARTBA's "Gridlock Clock" is featured on the home page of www.artba.org and includes a toll-free action hotline so that the association's members can urge their Congressional delegations to pass new legislation. The grassroots mobilization is the continuation of a multifaceted advocacy and media blitzkrieg that will be expanded during the next few months.

SAFETEA-LU expired Sept. 30, 2009. Since that time, Congress has kept the highway and transit programs operating under a series of eight extensions. The continued uncertainty on a long-term bill has had negative impacts on the state transportation planning process, and transportation construction industry job creation and capital investment decisions.

ARTBA and its members are continuing to push for a multiyear bill that, at minimum, maintains current federal highway and transit investment levels.