    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [February 13, 1991]
    [Pages 141-142]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Announcing Proposed Transportation Legislation
    February 13, 1991

        Mr. Secretary; a special welcome to Senators Riegle and Moynihan,
    Congressman Larry Coughlin; and let me just welcome all of you to the
    White House. It's great to have you here. And it's great for me to be
    with our able Secretary of Transportation, whose baby we are unveiling
    here.
        Thirty-five years ago, President Eisenhower envisioned an interstate
    highway system that today is a reality. And his idea fueled development
    in this country for a generation and united the States as never before--
    economically, politically, and socially. So, take a look at any map in
    our country, and you'll see President Eisenhower's legacy for a strong
    America.
        Today the interstate system is virtually complete, and Americans
    enjoy unequaled mobility. But in the years since its construction began,
    there have been major demographic shifts and travel changes in our
    country. And we have a remarkable highway system, but as Sam has told
    you and certainly told me, much of it needs improvement. And we need to
    move forward to meet the transportation needs of the coming generations.
    It's time to take the first step on the long road that lies ahead. And
    the status quo will simply not get us there.
        Economic competition in the 21st century is going to be tougher than
    ever before. We can help build competitiveness and improve the links
    between workers and jobs and goods and markets. Already, transportation
    accounts for about 20 percent of total consumer spending. And we've got
    to find ways to expand our Nation's mobility for urban Americans, for
    rural Americans, and for Americans with disabilities who are on the
    move.
        So, today we're unveiling a blueprint for a national highway system.
    This map explains it. Sam has been, I understand, briefing on that here.
    We've designed new legislation--the Surface Transportation Assistance
    Act--to reform existing highway programs and increase funding for what
    works, to prepare for the next American century.
        And to do it, we must invest in our future. So, we're investing $105
    billion in our transportation infrastructure over the next 5 years.
    Highway investment will increase by 39 percent to $20 billion by 1996.
    And funds for capital investment in mass transit will increase by 25
    percent. And we've proposed a 34 percent increase in funding for highway
    safety programs over the next 5 years.
        The future of Americans' transportation rest on the new foundation
    that we're laying today. Building on the success of the interstate
    system, this bill provides for the designation of a new national highway
    system which concentrates Federal dollars on the rehabilitation and
    improvement of our most critical highways. It creates a new urban-rural
    block grant that will streamline narrow highway grant programs into a
    larger, more flexible block grant.
        The legislation will reduce the backlog of bridges needing repair
    and replacement. It promotes efficiency by cutting redtape for the
    trucking industry. The bill also focuses attention on the needs of our
    cities, where millions of our citizens depend on public transit. Mass
    transit in urban areas will be maintained and improved. And under this
    legislation, funding for it will become more stable and equitable.

    [[Page 142]]

        Our approach will provide States and localities with flexibility to
    select which highways will receive targeted Federal dollars, and States
    and localities will be able to choose whether to spend Federal dollars
    on transit or highway solutions. As never before, we are encouraging
    creative new financing and management by the States.
        This bill is a good one. And we believe it will draw broad support
    from all sectors: the States, the cities, the transportation industry,
    and the Congress. And as part of this administration's national
    transportation policy, it will move us into the next American century.
    With this legislation, America is on the road to expanded productivity,
    more jobs, and a strengthened infrastructure for a stronger United
    States.
        Sam, you've been dubbed the ``road warrior.'' [Laughter] I don't
    know whether it's just by yourself or by all the rest of us, but
    nevertheless, I--[laughter]--since you've already been dubbed that, I
    want you--and I see we've got some heavyweights here in the front rows--
    to ask for their support. But I really hope that you can bring back a
    bill that I can enthusiastically sign this fall or perhaps sooner. I
    don't know what your legislative schedule is.
        But in any event, I think we're off to a good start. And I'm
    grateful to you and the people at the Department of Transportation who
    have put so much of their hearts and souls into formulating this new
    approach. So, to all of you who have been a part of it, direct or
    indirect, my sincere thanks. We're going to work hard to make this
    become a reality. And thanks for coming over here today.
        And God bless you all. Thank you very, very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 10:34 a.m. in Room 450
                            of the Old Executive Office Building. In his
                            remarks, he referred to Secretary of
                            Transportation Samuel K. Skinner; Senators
                            Donald W. Riegle, Jr., and Daniel P. Moynihan;
                            and Representative Lawrence Coughlin.