Transportation TV

Carlos Braceras P.E., is the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Transportation and President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). This video includes Braceras’ opening remarks at the Nov. 28, 2018 hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Braceras testified that “Absent a revenue fix by 2020, the Federal Highway Trust Fund is expected to experience a significant cash shortfall leading to an estimated 51 percent drop in highway obligations from the year before, or from $46.9 billion to $23 billion, and a zeroing out of obligations from the Mass Transit Account in 2021 and 2022.” Braceras’ testimony covered four main points: Ensuring a strong federal role and investment in surface transportation by preparing for the next long-term surface transportation bill; Examination of surface transportation investment needs; Maintaining a strong federal investment in surface transportation by stabilizing the Highway Trust Fund; and Preparing for and harnessing significant technological advancements. Braceras said “State departments of transportation remain committed to assisting Congress and the Administration in the development of policies that will ensure long-term economic growth and enhanced quality of life through federal investments provided to all states under the next long-term surface transportation legislation. You can be fully assured that AASHTO and the state DOTs will continue advocating for the reaffirmation of a strong federal-state partnership to address our surface transportation investment needs.”