September 28, 2010
Senator Frank Lautenberg
324 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Subject: NACTO support for the Focusing Resources, Economic Investment and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2010 (FREIGHT)
Senator Lautenberg:
On behalf of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) I am writing to express the support of our association for the Focusing Resources, Economic Investment and Guidance to Help Transportation Act of 2010 (FREIGHT). The importance of safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive movement of goods to and from the nation’s ports and cities is critical to the economic competitiveness of the US and we would like to extend our thanks to you, as well as Senators Lautenberg, Murray and Cantwell, for your leadership on this important issue.
To remain competitive in today’s global economy, the US transportation system needs to provide for the safe and efficient movement of goods from the country’s ports and distribution centers to customers around the country. However, the US has lacked a comprehensive strategy for improving the nation’s goods movement infrastructure to ensure US markets remain competitive in the global economy. NACTO supports the goals of the FREIGHT Act to establish a national freight policy that focuses on improving economic competitiveness through the increased multimodal efficiency of the freight network, while simultaneously addressing issues of safety, energy conservation and environmental sustainability.
NACTO also applauds the proposed National Freight Infrastructure Grants program. This would provide an important new program for freight-related transportation projects such as:
• The CREATE program in Chicago
• The Cross-Harbor Freight Tunnel between NY and NJ
• The New Vail Street Extension in Baltimore
• Increasing vertical clearances on CSX right of way in NE corridor
• The Interstate 11 freight corridor project in Arizona
• Houston Region Freight Rail Study
NACTO cities are major ports of entry and distribution centers for international and domestic commerce, and are important markets for and generators of freight. These cities are uniquely positioned to understand the critical role freight transportation plays in the local economy, as well as the potential impact of such activities on overall transportation efficiency, public health, and the environment. I forward to working with you on moving this important piece of legislation forward.
Sincerely,
Janette Sadik-Kahn
Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation
President, NACTO Board of Directors