The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has called for the next federal highway bill to focus on freight and goods movement.

ATA senior vice-president Tim Lynch said the next highway reauthorisation must address congestion and the chokepoints or bottlenecks throughout the system that slow commerce, increase safety risks, and reduce the country’s competitiveness in the global economy.

“Congress must renew its commitment to keep the US the world leader in transportation and its supporting infrastructure,” Lynch said.

The statements came during the recently held US Department of Transportation forum at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in Minneapolis.