The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) has uploaded an episode in its podcast series talking about the role Congress can play in advancing US infrastructure.
Rep. Garret Graves, R-La, says: “We’re now going to get to the point where the lack of investment in our infrastructure is actually going to help throttle back or govern our economy, and that’s problematic because it prevents employment opportunities, it prevents higher wages.”
Louisiana has access to 31 states from the Mississippi River, six Class 1 rail lines, five of the top 15 ports, several international airports and a network of roads, highways and bridges. Graves is the sole Pelican State representative on the committee. He also serves as the ranking member on the Aviation Subcommittee.
He talks about the need to think proactively about infrastructure investment, including the regulations governing projects. Short-term planning and a lack of investment helped to create one of the worst bottlenecks in the country in the 6th District of Louisiana; the Interstate 10 bridge over the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge.
