Associations Welcome Increased Airfield Pavement Research Funding in FY2020 Appropriations Bills

The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) President & CEO Gerald Voigt, P.E., National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) President & CEO Audrey Copeland, Ph.D., P.E., and Portland Cement Association (PCA) President & CEO Michael Ireland released the following joint statement today, welcoming the inclusion of funding for increased airfield pavement research in S. 2520 and H.R. 3055 (Division E) appropriations bills for fiscal year 2020. The House passed H.R. 3055 in June, and the Senate will consider S. 2520 as it works through the appropriations process over the coming weeks. In a joint statement, the three association CEOs said:

“ACPA, NAPA, and PCA are pleased Congress is set to fund sorely needed airfield pavement research as part of the FY2020 transportation appropriations process. Investing in research and supporting the deployment of innovations that benefit the American public is a fundamental responsibility of the federal government, and we applaud both the House and Senate for advancing bills that bring new money to the table.

“As the bills head toward reconciliation, we urge lawmakers to look at the success of the Accelerated Implementation and Deployment of Pavement Technologies (AID-PT) program. By specifically focusing research funding on asphalt and concrete pavements, AID-PT has helped to speed the deployment of innovative, sustainable, and high performing technologies and practices. The Senate transportation appropriations bill takes a similar approach to funding airfield pavement research.

“As the appropriations process advances, we encourage lawmakers to take the successful AID-PT model and to dedicate research funding in an equal manner across asphalt and concrete pavements for airfields.”