Highway Users Urge Senators to Incorporate Priorities Into Infrastructure Deal

The American Highway Users Alliance, of which NATSO is a member, urged Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) to ensure that final infrastructure or reauthorization legislation take into account the key priorities of the Highway Users coalition, which is comprised of 300 organizations representing millions of motorists and large portions of the economy.

NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings currently serves on the Highway Users Board of Directors, and NATSO Vice President of Public Affairs Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman serves on the Policy and Government Affairs Committee.

The letter was sent as lawmakers quickly work to develop policy and legislative text for the $1.2 trillion infrastructure framework announced June 24 by President Biden and a bipartisan group of Senators. That effort was led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Rob Portman.

In a July 12 letter, the Highway Users said it is essential that lawmakers address the Highway Trust Fund’s insolvency, which remains “important and problematic into the future.” The Highway Users is supportive of preserving the HTF and its funding mechanisms and said it hopes to continue a dialogue on a long-term fix with Congress and the Administration.

Among its requests, the Highway Users asked the Senators to ensure robust funding levels for roads and bridges; incorporate streamlining provisions that will allow roadway projects to move forward more quickly and ensure that the latest rewrite of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices moves forward without delay “as there has already been an open and transparent process with thoughtful and thorough stakeholder input.”

The Highway Users and NATSO separately filed comments earlier this year in response to proposed changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

NATSO in May 2021 urged the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to allow alternative fuel logos to be present on highway signs if, in addition to alternative fuel, the facility also provides foodservice and/or convenience stores, restrooms, and onsite employees who are able to contact law enforcement.

NATSO is seeking to ensure that the MUTCD adequately informs customers of the availability of alternative fuels at the types of facilities that they expect when refueling.