NSSGA, PCA weigh in on Biden’s infrastructure proposal

By |  April 1, 2021
Adds NSSGA's Mike Johnson: "You hear a lot about extremes in election season. But then you come back and you govern in the middle." Photo: NSSGA

Says NSSGA’s Michael Johnson: “From urban areas to rural towns, infrastructure development will boost local economies.” Photo: NSSGA

The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA) were encouraged by the infrastructure proposal President Biden unveiled Wednesday, with the heads of each association reacting with written statements.

Michael Johnson, the president and CEO of NSSGA, struck a positive tone in his remarks while noting that plenty of work remains to be done to solve the challenges facing the nation’s aging infrastructure.

“Our entire surface transportation system is overutilized and underfunded,” Johnson says. “NSSGA will continue to fight to make sure that any infrastructure package rightly prioritizes surface transportation and provides significant long-term investment, including a fix to the Highway Trust Fund.”

PCA president and CEO Mike Ireland argues that questions remain on how the president’s proposal should be paid for. But Ireland notes that PCA is optimistic Congress and the Biden administration will work together to identify a bipartisan path forward on funding.

Will Congress commit $1 trillion toward infrastructure? Photo: iStock.com/kozmoat98

President Biden unveiled a massive proposal addressing U.S. infrastructure and a variety of other areas on Wednesday. Photo: iStock.com/kozmoat98

“PCA has continually advocated for passage of a long-term bipartisan infrastructure package, and is encouraged that President Biden’s American Jobs Plan will provide the significant investment needed to modernize our nation’s highways, roads and bridges to meet our country’s growing transportation needs,” Ireland says. “This robust plan has never been more critical, with many Americans still in need of jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to Johnson, an investment in infrastructure will aid the nation’s long-term economic health.

“In the aggregates industry alone, every dollar of wages earned providing the construction materials necessary to build resilient infrastructure generates an additional $4 of wages in other industries,” he says. “From urban areas to rural towns, infrastructure development will boost local economies.”

National Asphalt Pavement Association president and CEO Audrey Copeland weighed in on President Biden’s American Jobs Plan late Thursday, as well.

“Asphalt pavements are critical to creating world-class roads, highways and airfields,” Copeland says. “President Biden’s proposal to renew 20,000 miles of roads will directly benefit from the latest innovative asphalt pavement technologies that are economical, resilient and environmentally friendly. The 150,000 essential, skilled workers throughout our industry stand ready to modernize these roadways. To secure a sustainable future for America’s vital transportation network, we call upon the administration and Congress to approve predictable, multiyear funding for infrastructure renewal by July 4.”

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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