The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) announced its participation in Infrastructure Week, which will take place from May 15-19. Businesses, labor organizations, elected officials and people around the country participate in this national advocacy and educational event to spread the message that it is #TimeToBuild America’s infrastructure.
Throughout the week, NSSGA and member companies will highlight the importance of infrastructure investment to our economy and to the aggregates industry, which would play a significant role in any plan to revitalize our roads, bridges, ports, airports, etc. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, almost four in 10 of America’s 614,387 bridges are over 50 years old. Traffic delays on outdated and congested roads cost American businesses over $45 billion each year, according to the Partnership for America’s Economic Expressway. NSSGA is a proud member of that partnership and a leader of the Highway Materials Group and the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC).
“The nation’s infrastructure is the foundation of our jobs, quality of life and economic competitiveness, yet this system has been under-funded and poorly maintained for decades,” said Michael W. Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO. “Investments in infrastructure are an investment in our country’s future, and Infrastructure Week puts a much-needed national spotlight on how we can grow our country and economy.”
More than 100 people from the aggregates industry will head to Washington, D.C., next week to talk about the importance of infrastructure investment with their members of Congress as part of the TCC Fly-In.
Johnson encouraged aggregates operations to participate virtually in Infrastructure Week if they can’t attend the D.C. events. NSSGA makes it easy to participate in advocacy and education efforts online. This portal makes it easy for anyone to write to their senators and representative and urge them to invest in the nation’s infrastructure. Tips and information will also be shared on social media at NSSGA’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.
“We are thrilled that NSSGA is joining Infrastructure Week. The dire state of America’s infrastructure is one of the most pressing issues facing us as a nation, and the benefits of a stronger, better infrastructure system will be far-reaching and long-lasting,” said Zach Schafer, director of Infrastructure Week. “During Infrastructure Week, we bring together the public and private sector to encourage lawmakers to think long-term and invest in infrastructure at the federal, state and local level.”