Transportation Funding Halt Could Mean Auto Shipping Delays
Last December, Congress approved an infrastructure spending bill designed to kick in spring 2017. However, that spending has been put on hold thanks to a short-term spending bill.
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) bill was supposed to give the Highway Trust Fund $2.4 billion starting in 2017. However, a continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House will continue 2016’s spending limits into fiscal 2017.
This has people in construction and transportation frustrated. States that were depending on that FAST money may have to cut construction projects and approve less when the spring construction season starts.
Essentially, the CR will decrease infrastructure spending through the spring of 2017. This will likely lead to fewer construction projects designed to improve America’s rapidly-deteriorating infrastructure.
How will this funding halt result in auto shipping delays?
Construction projects already slow down transportation and logistics along major corridors, including car shipping. And while there’s no statement on where that FAST money would have gone, we can take a few guesses.
There are many auto shipping and car transport corridors throughout the United States. Crumbling interstate highways can make for more treacherous shipments. More importantly, pot holes, downed bridges, and closed lanes can make for slower transportation services and can create more diversions in routes.
Some could argue that auto shipping delays will actually be less, as there will be less construction projects slowing down vital routes.
This is certainly an argument, to be sure. However, crumbling infrastructure can lead to route closures and diversions. While construction zones aren’t fun to drive through, they shouldn’t shave too much time off a shipment. Having to divert because of route closures is a different thing entirely.
Auto shippers like routes that they can run quickly, and even if there’s construction, it’s still generally faster.
Can I get auto transport quotes still?
Of course! The delay in FAST funds won’t affect your auto transport quotes or your ability to get them. If you’re interested in auto shipping quotes, fill out our free quote form. If you do, you’ll get multiple free quotes emailed to you within about an hour. This way, you can compare prices and services of top auto transporters. They can give you more specific information about your route and conditions along it. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us any time at 800-930-7417.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
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