Congress approves transportation bill that includes substantial roadway safety investments

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., Dec. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Years of stalled attempts to reach a long-term transportation bill finally hit gold yesterday afternoon when a five-year, $305 billion transportation bill was passed by Congress. The bill passed 359 to 65 in the House and 83 to 16 in the Senate, and now goes to President Barack Obama for signature. The bill includes significant roadway safety infrastructure investments that will put men and women to work right away to substantially improve the safety of America's roadways for all motorists.

Following the passage of the "Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act," the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) immediately praised the congressional transportation committee staff and leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Environment and Public Works Committees.

ATSSA President and CEO Roger Wentz specifically commended roadway safety champions Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Penn.) and Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), who were instrumental in crafting strong roadway safety infrastructure language. Wentz also commended the steadfast leadership and determination of Reps. Bill Shuster (R-Penn.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), and Sens. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) in getting the bill passed.

"We are thankful and grateful for their unyielding passion to save lives on America's roadways," Wentz said.

Wentz also commended all ATSSA members as the "unsung heroes" who took their passion for roadway safety to Washington, D.C. personally over the last several years.

"They came from every corner of America to meet with their elected officials in Washington and stress the need for improving roadway safety for all road users. Their hard work and determination paid off tremendously yesterday with the passage of the new bill," added Wentz.

The FAST Act includes significant investments through the Highway Safety Improvement Program which will continue to save lives nationwide. ATSSA members are eager to work with state departments of transportation to make roads safer and move Toward Zero Deaths across the country.

ATSSA's core purpose is to advance roadway safety. ATSSA represents the roadway safety industry with effective legislative advocacy and a far-reaching member partnership. The association also leads the nation in work zone safety training and education for roadway workers across the country.  ATSSA members accomplish the advancement of roadway safety through the design, manufacture, and installation of roadway safety and traffic control devices.

Contact:
James Scott Baron
Director of Communications
540-376-3876

On the web: ATSSA.com

SOURCE American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

Related Links

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