Growing Demand
Estimates from the U.S. Department of Transportation, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the Congressional Budget Office anticipate a 67 percent growth in the freight industry by 2020. Capacity constraints in West Coast ports mean that more freight from Asia is being transported through the Panama and Suez canals and brought to East Coast ports. Already under strain, the nation's freight transportation infrastructure and highways will face even greater challenges as the total volume of freight increases.
Population growth and urban sprawl throughout the United States means that our nation is increasingly reliant on the highway infrastructure to transport people and freight.
In order for us to be able to rely on rail transportation to help mitigate the problems associated with rising fuel costs, crowded highways, greenhouse gas emissions and more, it is critical that rail infrastructure is not only maintained, but enhanced.