Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) last week introduced a bill to strengthen our nation’s economic competitiveness through freight infrastructure investment. His bill, Economy in Motion: The National Multimodal and Sustainable Freight Infrastructure Act, proposes creating a robust freight program, funded through implementation of a 1 percent waybill fee on the cost of transportation of goods. To distribute this money, H.R.5624 creates a two-part incentive formula program, available in states that develop State Freight Plans and form State Freight Advisory Committees, as encouraged under MAP-21. Additionally, the bill establishes a national competitive grant program with broad, multi-modal project eligibility. “Congressman Lowenthal’s bill has added a significant piece to the freight dialogue. Each day, our nation’s freight infrastructure needs grow and a strategic campaign of public investment is needed. I applaud the Congressman for proposing both an investment plan as well as a revenue generation strategy,” said Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) President and Executive Director Leslie Blakey. “Congressman Lowenthal’s continued leadership on freight infrastructure investment will be valuable as Congress moves to consider a long-term surface transportation reauthorization.” As proposed, the bill would establish a Freight Trust Fund and provide as much as $8 billion per year for freight infrastructure investment across all modes. Sustained investment at this level is necessary to address a growing backlog of infrastructure needs to support our economy. According to a new report by the National Association of Manufacturers, “the United States is stuck in a decade-long period of decline in overall infrastructure capital spending that will eventually harm job creation, future productivity and global competitiveness.” “We greatly appreciate Congressman Lowenthal’s willingness to put forward such a comprehensive and thoughtful approach for expanding federal investment in freight infrastructure,” said Tim Lovain, Vice Chairman of CAGTC and Executive Vice President of Capitol Strategies Partners. “As Congress prepares for reauthorization of MAP-21 next year, Members should give Congressman Lowenthal’s bill close consideration as they hopefully craft a federal freight funding program.” Momentum is growing in support of a dedicated multimodal freight fund. Last fall, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation concluded that Congress should authorize dedicated, sustainable funding for multimodal freight projects. In July, Representative Janice Hahn (D-CA) introduced legislation calling for a dedicated Freight Trust Fund for multimodal freight investment. And, earlier this month, the Department of Commerce Advisory Committee on Supply Chain Competitiveness, a diverse group of supply chain experts from many industries, voted in support of long-term funding for freight investment through a Federal Freight Trust Fund supported by user fees. Additionally, each of these bodies called for distribution of funding through a competitive grant process. Earlier this year, the Obama Administration proposed its first-ever surface transportation authorization legislation. That proposal, the GROW AMERICA Act, has a number of elements in common with the Economy in Motion proposal by Rep. Lowenthal. Shared features include the dual formula-and-grant incentive approach, support for state and local freight planning and broad eligibility for multimodal projects and applicants. Since its formation, CAGTC has supported the development of a freight-specific competitive grant program that distributes money to meritorious projects that will enhance system performance across all modes.