One issue facing the transportation construction industry is the future direction and funding of the nation’s federal highway and transit programs. Developing a new vision for America’s transportation network — in anticipation of the scheduled 2009 SAFETEA-LU reauthorization — has been a major focus of activities this year relating to the 50th Anniversary of the Interstate Highway System.

It also will be at the heart of discussions during the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) 2006 Annual Convention, held Sept. 26 to 29 in San Diego.

Among the top convention speakers are:

• U.S. General Barry McCaffery (Ret.) — The decorated general will highlight the role of the nation’s transportation infrastructure in times of crisis and outline steps to be taken to prepare for national security threats in the future.

• American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves — The former Kansas governor will explain what needs to be done to modernize and improve the country’s transportation network to meet the challenges facing the business community.

• Caltrans Director Will Kempton will discuss Gov. Schwarzenegger’s “Strategic Growth Plan,” which calls for a major boost in transportation infrastructure investment.

• Frank McArdle of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission will provide an overview of the group’s activities in 2006. The commission, which was created by SAFETEA-LU, is evaluating the nation’s surface transportation investment requirements and developing policy recommendations to meet those needs.

• ARTBA’s economist William Buechner will provide an overview of current and future transportation construction market conditions.

For more information, visit www.artbaannualconvention.org.

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