Our country’s aging transportation infrastructure must be repaired and replaced with greater concentration on intermodal connectivity and a heavy dose of bipartisan support in Congress. The American Society of Civil Engineers now estimates that $3.6 trillion in federal funding will be needed by 2020 to meet U.S. infrastructure needs. We all know that maintaining and improving highways, bridges and railroads is critical to moving commerce. As the chief executive of one the nation’s top container ports, my hope is that in 2015 we will witness changes that further national efforts to improve surface transportation through an integrated freight strategy that moves goods into the marketplace faster, reliably and cleanly, and the identification of a long-term funding strategy to construct and maintain that infrastructure.
Last year, Congress passed and the president signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 and created a renewed appreciation for our country’s seaports and waterways. WRRDA also gave Congress the opportunity to join forces on a bipartisan issue that will create jobs and enhance the United States’ stature as a global leader in international trade. Congress needs to keep the momentum going to reduce highway congestion, improve safety and sustain commerce by moving toward full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for its intended purpose of maintaining our navigable waterways.
Currently, critical infrastructure projects are being delayed while construction costs increase and jobs go elsewhere. Americans should not be held captive by the process to the point that we don’t have the tools to do our jobs.
Therefore, the most important change that I foresee in 2015 is an even greater push for roadway, bridge and water resource improvements — primarily through dedicated funding and legislation — that will further advance infrastructure and related projects to ensure our country retains its leadership role in ocean shipping and global trade.
Steven M. Cernak, CEO and Port Director, Port Everglades