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WASHINGTON — The first version of what could become the country’s next major highway policy bill will be unveiled in the Senate prior to Congress’ recess in August, surface transportation policymakers announced July 10.

Responding to whether the federal fuel tax should be raised to help fund the country’s corridors, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao acknowledged the funding approach garnered interest during negotiations of a comprehensive infrastructure bill.

Congressional transportation leaders are the focus of a new social media campaign designed to draw attention to infrastructure funding priorities nationwide.

Funding for highway safety programs and grants for infrastructure projects nationwide advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 25.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi recently said that she remains committed to advancing an infrastructure policy measure that would boost jobs. She explained that such a deal could be accomplished if President Donald Trump would only negotiate with her party. Here's your Capitol Agenda look at the week ahead for trucking on Capitol Hill.

A fiscal 2020 transportation funding measure that proposes additional funding for infrastructure grants is included in a five-bill package that began receiving consideration on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on June 20.

A $2.2 billion proposal to enhance freight connectivity along Interstate 81 in Virginia was among the nine projects deemed wasteful for taxpayers in a recent report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, whose authors encourage enhancing transit options.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott recently signed legislation that will invest more than $600 million in the state’s transportation system and open more truck-driving opportunities for people with military backgrounds.

WASHINGTON — Allowing segments of the country’s surface transportation system to deteriorate hinders economic growth and contributes to a significant number of road accidents, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear told a congressional panel June 12.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The effects of truck platooning on the nation’s infrastructure continues to be studied, federal officials told the American Society of Civil Engineers’ International Conference on Transportation and Development here.