AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies issued the following statement on the heels of President Biden signing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which makes record public infrastructure investments and reauthorizes the nation’s surface transportation programs for five years.

“Today, the nation took a long overdue step toward a more competitive, prosperous economic future with President Biden’s signing of the comprehensive infrastructure package. Prioritizing investments and commonsense policy solutions were the result of thoughtful, bipartisan negotiations and the tireless work of many. As we collectively face today’s challenges and build tomorrow’s opportunities, this package will help pave the way for a more modern, safer and resilient infrastructure network.”

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes nearly $845 million per year for highway-rail grade crossing safety and elimination projects and an average of $5.55 billion per year for discretionary infrastructure grant programs, including $1 billion per year for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant program, which provides essential support to short line and passenger railroads as well as state departments of transportation. Finally, the bill includes significant funding for research, development and demonstration projects that will play an important role in creating and further refining technologies that will help railroads to continue reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and further address climate change.