Legislation recently reintroduced in the U.S. House would support our national freight mobility network through investments in critical freight infrastructure.
The Freight Infrastructure Reinvestment Act (FIRA) of 2020 supports construction projects that make roads and bridges safer, improve marine terminals facilities, and expand rail and highway tunnels to accommodate increased cargo.
To accomplish this goal, the bill expands the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act and creates a new National Freight Mobility Infrastructure Fund. The fund is supported by a 1 percent fee on the shipment of freight cargo.
Grants would be awarded for infrastructure projects that improve the efficiency, capacity, and safety of our freight mobility system.
“Investments in our freight transportation system support our continued economic development by expanding our capacity to transport goods, encouraging competition, and providing job opportunities across the country,” Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), who reintroduced the bill, said. “Freight infrastructure is critical to our future economic growth and stimulates the demand for goods and services that will ultimately benefit millions of people.”
FIRA has the support of numerous organizations, including the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors.
Smith originally introduced the bill in September 2017.