Chicago City Wire

On June 13, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, joined leaders from government, industry, labor, academia, and more at the White House for the first summit on Advanced Research Projects Agency - Infrastructure (ARPA-I). Created in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and led by the U.S. Department of Transportation, ARPA-I is designed to serve as a catalyst for innovative science and technology advancements that will revolutionize the nation’s transportation systems and position the United States as a global leader of innovation and manufacturing. As the lead Democrat on THUD, Quigley provided a unique and valuable perspective around the need for congressional funding for ARPA-I. 

Video of Quigley’s remarks is available HERE.

Quigley’s remarks as prepared for delivery are available below:

Thank you for inviting me here on June 13 to highlight the role transportation innovation can play in increasing safety on our roads, bridges, rail networks, and airport runways.

The President and Secretary Buttigieg have gone to great lengths since the start of this Administration to expand investments in infrastructure innovation, building on the successes we have seen in the Defense and Energy sectors. First, with the enactment of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which authorized ARPA-I. Then, working with Congress to secure funding in the 2023 Transportation and Housing appropriations bill.

Their push for creative solutions which cannot be met through traditional research and development programs gives researchers, tech companies, local leaders and the transportation industry the confidence that the United States government is committed to meeting them where they are at. Whether it is testing new technologies for advanced air mobility that will improve emergency response, developing new signaling devices that prevent a train derailment, or even quickly responding to the needs of transit agencies lacking the ingenuity to operate under duress brought on by climate change – ARPA-I can lead us to a more advanced testing and deployment environment that transforms transportation as we know it on June 13

As Ranking Member of the Transportation and Housing appropriations bill, it is of utmost importance to support such creative solutions through ARPA-I that advance our nation’s travel safety.

In Chicago, which is home to my district, we have already seen the need for an expanded role of the Federal government in deploying innovation in rail safety. About twenty years ago, Chicago formed CREATE – the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program. It’s a public-private partnership that improves the way passengers and goods move over rail. It’s making Chicago’s railroad network safer, more efficient, and better able to accommodate growth in freight and passenger traffic. We’re bringing together Federal, State and local governments – with industry - to upgrade infrastructure, untangle inefficient designs, and better connect communities. The CREATE Program is improving Chicago rail system to the benefits of American everywhere whose goods move through Chicago.

However, there’s always more that can and should be done to quickly deploy research-driven and tested solutions. In fact, the CREATE program has identified 70 projects that will require some advancement in new technologies and approaches to safety.

CREATE is just one example of how ARPA-I can leverage creative solutions and partnerships at the local level to help communities and grow the economy. The President’s Budget request for fiscal year 2024 includes $19 million to expand DOT’s footprint of ARPA-I, which I support. You all have my commitment to continue to fight for the necessary resources and support to continue the progress we have made the last two years to make ARPA-I possible.

I look forward to working alongside all of you to help DOT secure the resources necessary to advance the world’s leading transportation system through the innovation and ingenuity ARPA-I provides.

Original source can be found here.