The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association salutes everyone involved in the transportation industry during National Transportation Week, May 12-18, 2013. This year’s theme, “Transportation – The World is Right Next Door,” should serve as a reminder to all that transportation is a key component in assuring the nation’s economic growth, global competitiveness and freedom of mobility cherished by all Americans.
The World Economic Forum ranks the United States 25th in terms of overall quality of infrastructure, just behind the United Kingdom and ahead of Qatar. America’s infrastructure was once the envy of the world, but now it trails two-dozen other countries including Iceland, Luxembourg and Barbados.
“We cannot allow our surface transportation network to fall into further disrepair and threaten American greatness,” said NSSGA Chairman of the Board of Directors Ward Nye, president and CEO, Martin Marietta Materials, Raleigh, N.C. “We have a real opportunity during this Congress to put funding for our nation’s highway system on a sound footing and develop a sustainable plan to improve our roads and highways.”
NSSGA President and CEO R. A. Edwards, III, added, “Only by maintaining and improving our transportation infrastructure can we deliver goods and services in a faster and more cost-effective manner, allowing us to compete globally and to create jobs here at home. Congress must have a new law in place by the time the current law, MAP-21, expires on Sept. 30, 2014.”