ATA confident infrastructure bill will pass

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act may not be perfect, but it will move, according to the head of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

"I'm confident we'll see this bill move to the president's desk in a matter of weeks," Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, told Transport Topic's Dan Ronan during a live event on Aug. 24.

The Senate passed the bill Aug. 10, while the House was in recess.

It turns out, Mr. Spear's prediction isn't too far off. On Aug. 26, the framework for the bill was OK'd by the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D.-Calif., set a deadline of Sept. 27 for a vote.

"The passage of the bill would mean new funding for surface transportation programs, including the greatest investment in the nation's bridges since the formation of the Interstate Highway System," Mr. Ronan said during the event.

While some factors, such as the U.S. military pulling out of Afghanistan, may have an effect, Mr. Spear said that he hopes the timing is actually helpful as the White House looks for good publicity — like a huge bipartisan bill.

Mr. Spear said the bill isn't perfect, but it is passable through Congress.

"I'm very pleased with the final product. I think it will move," he said.

The bill includes a 38% increase in funding for roads and bridges. Mr. Spear also said he welcomed the new funding for job training for traditional blue-collar jobs — such as