S. 1125 and H.R. 2116 the Freight Rail Infrastructure Capacity
Expansion Act (FRICEA) currently being considered by Congress
will increase freight rail transportation.
It is important for elected officials to enact policies that
will save taxpayers’ money, increase opportunities for economic
development within our communities, improve our air quality,
build a more efficient transportation system, and reduce our
dependence on oil.
Under the burden of increased freight truck traffic, our
highways are crumbling and are overburdened. These trucks are
lengthening our commute times, frequently endangering other
highway passengers, and polluting our environment. Railroads
have proven to be safer and cleaner.
No time will be better than the present to support this bill,
particularly when you consider the goods movement is expected to
grow rapidly while our current transportation infrastructure is
deteriorating and insufficient to handle additional loads.
The FRICEA legislation would be a significant step in the right
direction to ensure railways achieve a more equal footing to our
highways and waterborne modes of transportation.