We will come to order. Todays hearing will focus on the reauthorization of the fast act, the nations current surface transportation bill that expires on september 30. We will hear the priorities of key Public Transportation stakeholders. A longterm reauthorization bill is critical to providing the certainty of stability that transit agencies, cities andos d to make responsible transportation lighting decisions. Public transportation plays a key role in our nations economy there are over 400 30,000 workers employed and Public Transportation in the United States. Transit provides approximately 33 million trips every day. Taking Many Americans to and from work, school and medical appointments. Not just in big urban cities, but also small areas. We have found ourselves with yet another reauthorization where the Highway Trust Fund is a most significant issue that needs to be addressed. In order to advance a comprehensive longterm reauthorization bill. While this committee does not have juri
Test captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2008 mr. Willis, as a project thatle will have a ripple effect, can you speak to the impacts gateway will have on your members as well as the importance of having federal engagement on transportation projects that have an Economic Impact . Thank you, senator. What i can add is a couple things. When you talk to our members who have to operate the trains through the tunnels, maintain the signal systems, electrical systems, tracks themselves, they tell horror stories. We have a problem on our hands. You know the economic consequences of shutting down the tunnel, reduce capacity by 75 , but our members will tell you there is a real problem right now going on in there that needs to be addressed. We were hardened the administration changed the rating for portal bridge north, disappointed they did not do the same for the tunnel itself. The costs recently has been reduced by 1. 4 billion. Amtrak is kicking in several hundred extra million
Would be the first to point out that irony that, like our infrastructure, all of us are getting older and in need of repair from time to time. Cr q was one very importantr mess t however, he wanted to be with you today to share. And that is to thank each of you for coming to washington and to visit with your members of congress. Hes been to the hill many times himself over the past year, and hes worked hard to share with lawmakers the stark facts and a sense of urgency. Hes explained how were investing much less than we should be in transportation. Hes warned that because of that disinvestment, weve fallen behind on repairs, something we have to addressq even as we plan for the new capacity we must have for growing demand. But these same arguments carry so much more weight when they come from you. You are able to speak in concrete terms about communities that are struggling to stay on the move. Large ones and small ones, urban and rural red and blue. That context matters. When states l
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