Pryor says $1 billion in highway funds critical for job creation, economic development in Arkansas, investing in infrastructure part of Senator’s six-point solution to job creation

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor recently said Arkansas will receive more than $1 billion from the Senate-passed highway reauthorization bill to help address critical highway needs and spur economic development.  The bill passed the Senate today by a vote of 74 to 22.


Pryor said the two-year $109 billion highway authorization bill first addresses critical infrastructure needs that are not currently being met on the state level. Under the bill, Arkansas would receive $1.05 billion over two years, which would allow the state to make significant progress on major highways and roads.  Earmarks of specific projects are no longer allowed, giving the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department discretion over where to allocate these federal dollars. 

Investing in infrastructure through the highway bill is part of Pryor’s Six Point Solution to Job Creation.  This legislation will spur economic development and the create thousands of jobs. According to 2007 estimates by the United States Department of Transportation, a $1 billion investment in our highways results in 27,800 jobs annually.

“Investing in highways and infrastructure is the single, most important step we can take to create thousands of jobs and attract and expand businesses throughout the state,” Pryor said. “Passing a highway reauthorization bill is part of my Six Point Solution that calls for a sustained commitment of resources to address infrastructure needs. I hope the House of Representatives will pass this legislation swiftly.”

Pryor expressed concern that 32 percent of Arkansas’ roads are in poor or mediocre condition and one in four bridges are structurally deficient.  Additionally, Arkansas has a $160 million backlog in highway maintenance needs.  He added this problem will be compounded as freight travel is expected to double over the next twenty years.

Senator Adds Safety and Consumer Protections in Bill

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection within the Commerce Committee, Pryor played an active role in writing the highway and vehicle safety portion of the bill. This section includes “Mariah’s Act” to strengthen and consolidate grant programs to stop texting and driving. Pryor named the legislation after a Rogers, Arkansas student who died a day before her high school graduation as a result of driving and texting. Her mother has since become a highway safety advocate.


Mariah’s Act also steps up vehicle safety so families are protected by strong safety standards and devices when an accident occurs. Many of the new provisions were inspired by Toyota’s questionable recall practices in 2010. The bill strengthens vehicle safety by updating safety and compliance standards; enhances safety authorities by increasing civil caps and improving DOT’s ability to control imports and improve research capacity; improves transparency among DOT, the auto industry and the public; increases resources to address emerging electronics and technologies; and prioritizes child safety rulemakings.

“Last year, there were over 5 million accidents resulting in 33,000 lives lost. That’s why we took steps in this bill to fine tune highway safety programs that target prevention, enforcement and oversight,” Pryor said.

Keeping Fatigued Truck Drivers Off the Road

Pryor successfully included language to require commercial truckers to use devices that accurately monitor their hours on the job. The Department of Transportation will be responsible for issuing rules within 18 months of enactment, as well as setting design and performance standards for the devices. The tamper-resistant devices must be capable of communicating with the engine’s control module, indentifying the individual operating the vehicle, recording driving time and enabling law enforcement to access the information contained in the device during roadside inspections.


Highway safety advocates to trucking industry executives have expressed support for the bill’s provision which requires mandatory electronic on-board devices. Although federal hours-of-service regulations were first established in the 1930s to prevent fatigued drivers from causing accidents, these regulations have been difficult to enforce.  Hours-of-service regulations limit how long truckers may drive and be on duty, which may vary between 10 to 15 hours depending on whether a passenger is aboard and the driver’s schedule.  While some trucking companies already use electronic devices to ensure truckers comply with these regulations, this legislation would create a consistent standard to help companies and drivers manage the safety and compliance risks associated with trucking.


“The trucking industry faces the constant balancing act of keeping fatigued drivers off the road while ensuring stores are full of merchandise,” Pryor said. “After several meetings with the trucking industry and Senate hearings on highway safety, I believe the most effective solution is to require the use of electronic on-board recorders.  This legislation will ensure the entire industry puts safety and driver quality of life before profit.”

Preventing Dangerous Drivers from Driving Big-Rigs

Despite long standing drug and alcohol testing requirements, commercial drivers continue to drive 18-wheelers and buses even after testing positive.  Factors contributing to this problem include applicants who do not report their drug testing history to new employers, carriers who do not fully complete background checks, and self-employed drivers who fail to remove themselves from service.   According to recent studies, out of 3.4 million drivers on the road, about 68,000 drivers tested positive for drug use. 

A provision by Pryor would establish a national database of drug testing information for commercial drivers.  Specifically, it would require medical review officers, employers, and service agents to report positive results from drug or alcohol tests to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; and would require employers to check the database prior to hiring prospective employers, leading to better hiring decisions and decreased employee liability.

“While a vast majority of truck drivers follow the rules of the road, a few bad apples don’t. A national clearinghouse will ensure these drivers can’t bypass the law,” Pryor said. “It’s a practical way to ensure that the commercial driving industry is selecting the safest drivers possible to operate large trucks and buses.”