Ports Association Renews Push for Infrastructure Funding

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Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg News

The American Association of Port Authorities is calling on the Trump administration and members of Congress to advance a funding package that would address improvements to freight infrastructure.

Investments in big-ticket infrastructure projects often lead to employment opportunities in the freight sector, AAPA noted March 22.

“The nation’s seaports serve a vital role in U.S. job creation, economic prosperity and international competitiveness,” AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle said. “Deficient infrastructure affects everyone, from exporters of frozen meat and corn to manufacturers of machinery and electronics.”

The association also is calling on federal policymakers to boost investments in seaport infrastructure, such as the freight programs in the five-year FAST Act highway law.



Headlining AAPA’s spring conference on April 5 will be Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. The Trump administration has yet to unveil details of a $1 trillion plan that would invest in infrastructure. Last month, Trump told Congress to approve a such a plan. He had promised to have the plan ready during his first 100 days in office.