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John Sommers II

WASHINGTON — The executive director of a newly launched office at the U.S. Department of Transportation set up to help states finance infrastructure projects said Congress remains the main driver for advancing those projects.

Andrew Curtis Right, head of DOT’S Build America Transportation Investment Center, also stressed his unit “can’t solve all of our infrastructure problems.”

“We have billions of infrastructure needs, and better access to technical assistance and credit programs can’t fill that void alone,” Right said. “Congress needs to fund the transportation.” He was speaking here at the Seventh North American Infrastructure Leadership Forum, presented by CG/LA Infrastructure Inc., on Oct. 27. His remarks kicked off the second day of the conference.

Right explained the center will help project managers access federal credit as well as connect with investors looking to engage in public-private partnerships. He noted an expansive bridge-replacement program in Pennsylvania and a rehabilitation project at the Port of Newark in New Jersey as exemplars of how BATIC assists in project development.

He also noted the recent partnership between the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and DOT to establish the BATIC Institute, an educational resource for stakeholders and transportation leaders looking to learn about the financing options for infrastructure projects.