The Business Council of Alabama's 2015 Federal Legislative Agenda included support of a dedicated long-term, multi-year transportation reauthorization bill and, if necessary, the transfer to the Highway Trust Fund to maintain federal road funding solvency.

"A good transportation network is the lifeblood of commerce, industry, and access. It requires constant vigilance and oversight to remain modern and safe," said BCA President and CEO William J. Canary. "We applaud our federal legislators for setting in motion solid transportation funding that avoids the short-term patchwork of the past decade and allows annual planning for the foreseeable future,"

The BCA's national partners who also fought for long-term funding extolled the virtues of the highway bill.

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons said the bill "is a big step forward and a desperately needed long-term investment in our nation's infrastructure."

"Finally, we can begin to get back on track and invest in infrastructure to ensure manufacturing competitiveness," Timmons said. "Critical infrastructure funding to repair and modernize our bridges, roads and aging transit systems can now move forward. Addressing growing freight needs and improving infrastructure project delivery are important hallmarks of this bipartisan legislation that will help manufacturers in the United States compete and win in the global economy."

"This five-year reauthorization for our nation's federal transportation infrastructure will enhance our global competitiveness and enable business to plan for the future, creating jobs and strengthening the economy," U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue said. "This bill also gives Congress time to discuss longer-term solutions for providing consistent funding for the Highway Trust Fund without the looming threat of another short-term extension deadline."