ACEC’s Raymond Turns up Heat for Infrastructure Funding at D.C. Rally

ACEC and a coalition of transportation-oriented groups held the Rally for Roads on Wednesday, May 25, to urge Congress to swiftly pass a six-year federal highway reauthorization.

ACEC President Dave Raymond addressed the Rally for Roads, calling on Congress to swiftly pass a six-year highway bill.

The Rally for Roads was organized by several transportation-oriented groups, including the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, Ironworkers Union and others.

ACEC President Dave Raymond called on Congress to put the highway reauthorization "on the front burner. Right now, local transportation agencies are stuck in the mud because they have neither the financial resources, nor the certainty of a six-year federal program, to get the job done. We need a transportation bill now."

Several hundred infrastructure advocates participated in the rally, including members of the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) and the Ironworkers Union.

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) (left) discussed prospects for passage of the new six-year reauthorization with ACEC President Dave Raymond. Sen. Vitter was one of several senators and congressmen addressing the rally, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep. John Duncan (R-TN), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA).