Trucking Industry Calls for Infrastructure Funding to Cut Congestion Costs

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has launched an advocacy campaign urging Congress to increase infrastructure investment to address traffic congestion and economic losses caused by aging roads and bridges. The ATA proposes raising the fuel tax to provide a sustainable funding source for the Highway Trust Fund. They are calling on the public to pressure their congressional representatives to support infrastructure development. The initiative highlights the urgency of modernizing America's transportation network to improve efficiency and boost the economy by reducing delays and ensuring the safe movement of goods.

The American Trucking Association (ATA) has launched a nationwide initiative urging Congress to take immediate action on America's deteriorating infrastructure. The campaign, titled "Road to a Better Future," will utilize television advertisements, digital media, and grassroots advocacy to highlight the direct impact of infrastructure deficiencies on the economy and daily life.

The Hidden Tax of Crumbling Infrastructure

ATA's campaign transforms abstract policy discussions into tangible realities affecting every American. Deteriorating roads, bridges, and ports not only hinder commercial transportation but also impose significant costs on citizens through wasted time and vehicle expenses.

"We're not standing at the edge of a cliff—we're already in crisis," warned ATA President and CEO Chris Spear during the campaign launch. "Poor road conditions force commuters to waste an average of 42 hours annually in traffic congestion. Combined with vehicle repairs and fuel waste, this amounts to a $1,600 hidden tax paid by every American."

Spear emphasized that this $1,600 represents only the average impact, with residents in congested urban areas or frequent long-distance drivers facing even higher costs. Infrastructure deterioration also increases accident risks, resulting in injuries and fatalities that carry immeasurable consequences.

The Toll Trap: A Short-Sighted Solution

Facing funding shortages, many states resort to stopgap measures like excessive tolling. Spear cited the I-66 highway near ATA headquarters where peak tolls reach $47.50 one-way, calling such practices economically damaging and fundamentally unfair.

"These exorbitant tolls create virtual roadblocks that restrict mobility and commerce," Spear stated. "We cannot solve long-term infrastructure challenges with short-term, inequitable approaches."

A Sustainable Solution: Modernizing Fuel Taxes

The ATA proposes increasing federal fuel taxes by $1.10-$1.20 per gallon as the most efficient funding mechanism. This would cost the average I-66 commuter just $2 weekly while providing immediate infrastructure improvements.

"Fuel taxes offer the lowest administrative costs—under 1% compared to toll systems' 35% overhead," Spear explained. "Every cent should fund actual construction, not bureaucracy. This approach stabilizes the Highway Trust Fund without adding to deficits."

Urgent Timeline: Highway Trust Fund Nearing Insolvency

With the Highway Trust Fund projected to become insolvent within 18 months, Spear stressed that 2019 represents the critical window for legislative action before election-year politics dominate the agenda.

"This transcends partisanship—it's about economic competitiveness and national security," Spear asserted. "Decision-makers must understand how infrastructure failures directly impact constituents. Everyone in Washington experiences gridlock, yet without federal funding, states will resort to even costlier alternatives."

Beyond Repairs: Investing in America's Future

The campaign frames infrastructure as foundational to economic growth, job creation, and quality of life. Failure to act, Spear warned, would leave future generations with failing systems that undermine national competitiveness.

The multi-platform initiative includes television spots illustrating infrastructure's daily impacts, digital outreach through social media, and grassroots events connecting citizens with policymakers. The ATA will also intensify lobbying efforts to advance infrastructure legislation.

Industry Leadership in National Infrastructure Reform

As America's largest trucking industry association representing over 37,000 carriers, the ATA positions itself as a key stakeholder in developing sustainable transportation solutions. The campaign underscores how infrastructure modernization benefits all economic sectors and communities nationwide.