The anniversary arrives at a pivotal moment for the freight industry, as stakeholders look ahead to the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and begin preparing for the next surface transportation reauthorization. CAGTC leadership says the milestone offers both a moment of reflection and a chance to reinforce the coalition’s long-standing role in national freight conversations.

“This anniversary offers a welcome opportunity to reflect on the strength of our members, the impact of our advocacy, and the importance of a shared vision for the future of freight,” said Elaine Nessle, CAGTC executive director. “It also highlights CAGTC’s most important accomplishment of the past 25 years: giving freight a voice. As we approach the expiration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and prepare for the next surface transportation reauthorization legislation, CAGTC looks forward to our continued engagement with Congress and the Administration to build on freight’s success in the IIJA and maximize investments in multimodal supply chain infrastructure.”

Over the past quarter-century, CAGTC has brought together public agencies, ports, private companies, and regional organizations to advocate for strategic investment in freight corridors, ports, and intermodal connections. According to the coalition, its work has helped elevate freight movement as a core component of economic competitiveness and supply chain reliability.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are also looking forward to the policies, investments, and opportunities that will shape the future of freight infrastructure and goods movement,” said Erin Aleman, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and CAGTC Board Chair. “CAGTC’s role has never been more critical. We will continue our important work to ensure that freight has a strong, clear voice in national policy conversations and that our country remains prepared to meet the supply chain demands of tomorrow.”

Year-Long Anniversary Activities Planned

To recognize its 25th anniversary, CAGTC will host a year-long “Voices of Freight” Speaker Series throughout 2026. The series will feature national industry experts addressing topics such as federal freight funding programs, emerging technologies, and best practices in project planning.

In conjunction with its Annual Meeting, the coalition will also host an in-person 25th Anniversary Celebration on April 22 in Washington. The event is expected to bring together freight industry leaders from across the country to reflect on CAGTC’s history and discuss priorities for the future of freight infrastructure.

“In the past 25 years, CAGTC has helped transform how our nation understands and invests in freight infrastructure,” said Paul Anderson, president, CEO of Port Tampa Bay and CAGTC’s immediate past chair. “From the earliest days of simply seeking a seat at the table and advocating for dedicated freight programs to today’s conversations about supply chain preparedness and adapting to changing demands, CAGTC has been a constant, steady voice. It is remarkable to reflect on how far we have come – and how our Coalition’s work has strengthened the movement of goods across the country.”

25th Anniversary Sponsors

CAGTC recognized the following organizations for supporting its 25th anniversary initiatives:

• Port of Long Beach
• Majestic Realty
• Port Tampa Bay
• AECOM
• Ports America
• Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company
• Port of Los Angeles
• Intermodal Association of North America
• Port of Hueneme
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
• Nossaman
• Port of San Diego
• Southern California Association of Governments

Source: The Trucker

The post CAGTC Marks 25 Years of Freight Advocacy Heading Into 2026 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“More than ever, we need to plan transportation and infrastructure investments – especially for freight – by looking at the big picture,” the DOT stated in a recent update. “This means considering all transportation modes and both public and private sector needs to maintain America’s competitive edge globally.”

The agency emphasized the need to hear from private industry professionals and everyday users of the system: “DOT recognizes the importance of engaging with the public and private industry to develop a clear and inclusive national vision for freight transportation … As daily users of the system, private-sector perspectives are vital inputs for understanding operational challenges along the freight system. DOT seeks information directly from the public and stakeholders to inform development of this national freight strategy.”

What Is the National Freight Strategic Plan?

The current NFSP, first released in 2020, outlines three core goals that have shaped freight planning at federal, state, and local levels:

• Improve the safety, security, and resilience of the national freight system
• Modernize infrastructure and operations to support economic growth and enhance quality of life
• Support technology, data, and workforce development to strengthen freight system performance

As part of the 2025 update process, the DOT wants to know if these priorities still hold true—and what new strategies or tools may be needed to meet evolving challenges in the industry.

Why This Matters to Truckers and the Freight Industry

Organizations like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have previously used this opportunity to advocate for real change. In comments submitted for the 2020 plan, the association emphasized that deteriorating roadways, limited truck parking, and overregulation are serious problems affecting small-business drivers.

“As DOT prepares its National Freight Strategic Plan, we urge the Department to consider improvements to the nation’s transportation system that would increase efficiencies and alleviate costs for small-business truckers,” OOIDA wrote. “The NFSP must address deteriorating highway infrastructure that results in lost productivity and compensation for drivers. The plan also must prioritize fixing the nation’s truck parking crisis and address other institutional barriers, such as excessive detention time that can be mitigated through more practical federal policies.”

The Questions DOT Wants Answered

To build the updated NFSP, the DOT is asking the public to weigh in on 10 key questions, including:

• Do the original 2020 goals still reflect the most urgent freight priorities today?
• What metrics should be used to track the health and performance of the freight system?
• How can public and private investments better support industry growth and infrastructure reliability?
• What barriers—regulatory, technological, or otherwise—still hinder the freight system?
• How do freight operations affect rural and underserved communities, and how can those impacts be addressed?

Other questions focus on how new technologies, disaster resilience, and multi-jurisdictional coordination can be improved across freight networks.

How to Share Your Feedback

The DOT is accepting public comments on the National Freight Strategic Plan through August 14, 2025. To submit your thoughts:

• Visit Regulations.gov
• Search for Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0369
• Fill out the comment form and share your insights

Source: Land Line Media

The post DOT Wants Your Input on the Future of Freight in America appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.