New Public-Private Coalition Strives to Transform U.S. Transportation System in 2009
Source: Transportation Transformation news release, June 5, 2008'
An unprecedented alliance of regional and state government, finance, academic and private industry leaders today announced the formation of a new coalition that will strive to transform the nation's transportation system in 2009 utilizing a combination of public and private-sector solutions.
The creation of the Transportation Transformation Group - also known as the T2 - was announced by former U.S. House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt; Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey of HNTB Companies, former Commander-In-Chief of the U.S. Southern Forces Command and Cabinet-level director of the White House Drug "Czar" Policy Office; Texas Transportation Commissioner Ned Holmes; Dr. Joseph M. Giglio, Senior Academic Specialist and Executive Professor of General Management at Northeastern University in Boston; and Washington, D.C-based Pollster Thomas Riehle during a news conference at the National Press Club.
"It's about time we add a fresh set of ideas to the transportation policy debate," said Gephardt, representing T2 member Goldman Sachs. "If we don't, communities across America will continue to be plagued by increased traffic congestion, deteriorating roads and bridges, safety issues and air pollution - all of which have an effect on our quality of life and our prosperity."
The coalition's goals include educating Americans about the benefits of new transportation delivery options and garnering support for innovative financing techniques as a part of a diverse strategy that will meet America's transportation needs today and in the future.