Alaska State Chamber of Commerce Urges Congressional Action on Transportation Issues

Anchorage, AK - Today, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce (Alaska Chamber) joined 30 other state chambers of commerce in calling on Congress to act on critical transportation infrastructure. Congress currently faces a critical crossroads as they begin to discuss both the solvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund and the reauthorization of the surface transportation bill passed in 2012.

“U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently noted that over 100,000 of America’s bridges are old enough to be on Medicare. This is a serious national problem with major consequences for public safety and our place in the world economy,” said Alaska Chamber Chairman Brad Osborne.

“Improving road safety, funding the remediation and expansion of bridges, expanding freight and logistics infrastructure and providing good public transportation are near-universal values. We encourage our elected officials in Washington to take a thoughtful approach to our federal and state transportation challenges. Ultimately, transportation infrastructure should bring us together, not divide us. It is our hope that the rhetoric in coming months will change to a constructive dialogue about how we can create a transportation system for generations to come,” commented Alaska Chamber President and CEO Rachael Petro.

The letter, signed by Ms. Petro, can be found under Policies and Actions on our website here. The principles agreed upon by the coalition of state chambers across the United States urges Congressional action that focuses on financial solvency, marketplace stability through long term authorization, and flexibility for state transportation programs.

About the Alaska Chamber
Since 1952, the Alaska Chamber has worked to promote a positive business environment in Alaska. A private, non-profit corporation, the Chamber is the voice of small and large business across the state with a Board of Directors comprised of 80 members representing all regions of the state. For more information, go to alaskachamber.com.