WYDOT director urges Congress to invest in transportation infrastructure

WYDOT Director John Cox detailed the critical condition of the federal Highway Trust Fund and the importance of investing in transportation infrastructure in written testimony delivered Wednesday to the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee.

Cox provided the testimony in his capacity as president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. 

"There is ample documented evidence that shows infrastructure investment is critical for long-term economic growth, increasing productivity, employment, household income, and exports," Cox said in his testimony. "Conversely, without prioritizing our nation's infrastructure needs, deteriorating conditions can produce a severe drag on the overall economy." 

He noted that for nearly 60 years the Highway Trust Fund provided stable, reliable and substantial highway and transit funding, but over the past seven years the fuel tax revenue flowing into the fund has been insufficient to maintain highway funding at needed levels. Nearly $62 billion has been transferred from the General Fund to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent.

"Whichever revenue tools are utilized, at a minimum, it is crucial to identify solutions that will sustain the (current) level of surface transportation investment in real terms," Cox said.

The House Ways and Means Committee conducted a hearing on long-term funding for the Highway Trust Fund Wednesday, and the Senate Finance Committee has a similar hearing scheduled Thursday.