VTCA Meets with U.S. Congressman Ben Cline’s Staff
Virginia’s 6th District Congressman Ben Cline’s office wanted to know how the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) would impact Virginian’s and especially constituents in his district. Cline’s staff reached out to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) for assistance. NSSGA, knowing the relationship VTCA has with VDOT leadership contacted VTCA to join the meeting.
Gordon Dixon, VTCA Executive Vice President, Rob Lanham, VTCA Aggregate Program Manager and Austin Bone, NSSGA Director of Government Affairs, met with Zach Jacobs, Senior Advisor to Congressman Cline to discuss the IIJA funds and their impact on Virginia.
VTCA informed Jacobs VDOT has yet to finalize where IIJA funding would be allocated, and that any associated information would be best conveyed directly from VDOT. VTCA did reach out to VDOT leadership to convey the Congressman’s interest in IIJA appropriations.
Additionally, VTCA encouraged the Congressman’s office to follow suit with other groups, AASHTO and the Republican House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, in permitting State DOT’s the ability to disseminate IIJA funds as they see fit and not adhere to FHWA issued guidance. Below are links to the FHWA Guidance Document and the positions from both AASHTO and the House T&I Committee:
Press Releases | Transportation Committee Republicans (house.gov)
AASHTO Provides Feedback on FHWA IIJA Guidance – AASHTO Journal