Buttigieg to set agenda at Department of Transportation

Buttigieg

President-elect Joe Biden announced he plans to nominate Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to serve as secretary of transportation within his administration.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) was among the first organizations in and around the aggregate industry to react to the news, congratulating Buttigieg while expressing its eagerness to work with him on transportation infrastructure.

“From dozers to pavers, to excavators and cranes, the 2.8 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry build the equipment necessary to maintain and modernize our nation’s transportation infrastructure,” says Dennis Slater, AEM president. “Building back better is what our industry does day in and day out, and equipment manufacturers stand ready to work with Mr. Buttigieg and the Biden administration to build a modern, resilient and sustainable infrastructure.”

According to AEM, Buttigieg participated earlier this year in a presidential candidate forum on infrastructure. AEM co-hosted the event.

“Mr. Buttigieg outlined an ambitious plan for working with states, cities and local government to cut the backlog of road repairs in half, repair half of the nation’s structurally deficient bridges, revitalize the shrinking Highway Trust Fund, and create 6 million new family-sustaining jobs,” Slater says. “AEM looks forward to continuing the dialogue with Mr. Buttigieg on how to advance our shared vision for a 21st century infrastructure.”

Leaders from the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) also offered comments on Buttigieg’s nomination.

“As the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg understands the vital role that transportation plays in people’s lives,” says Jim Tymon, executive director at AASHTO. “AASHTO’s membership – the hardworking public servants at every state department of transportation in the country – are appreciative of the secretary-designee’s call for robust investment in our multimodal transportation system and his commitment to improving transportation safety. We look forward to working with him and the administration of President-elect Joe Biden to deliver an integrated, efficient and innovative national transportation system.”

Dave Bauer, president and CEO at ARTBA, offered support of Buttigieg, as well.

“As a former mayor, Pete Buttigieg has seen firsthand how transportation improvements can improve the economy and quality of life in communities,” Bauer says. “He put forward a comprehensive and thoughtful plan during his presidential run to make major improvements to highways, roads, bridges and public transit systems, and address the Highway Trust Fund’s solvency challenges. His understanding of the issue will allow him to hit the ground running once confirmed as secretary.

“The pivot from economic resume to renewal amidst the ongoing pandemic begins with major new infrastructure investments,” Bauer adds. “We are eager to work with President-elect Joe Biden and mayor Buttigieg in early 2021 to build the broad-based support for a multi-year federal transportation investment program that benefit all Americans.”