OUR POSITION
TFI supports surface transportation policies which ensure not only expedited time-sensitive fertilizer deliveries, but also encourage the safe operation of agricultural vehicles and equipment.
DETAILS
The fertilizer industry depends on a safe and efficient transportation network to deliver its products. While fertilizer shippers utilize waterways and rail to move their products, all fertilizer shipped in the United States travels on roadways at some point between its production and ultimate application by the retailer or farmer.
In recent years, rail marketplace congestion, rising rail shipping rates and service issues have made roadways more important than ever. For many rural areas, it is the federal highway system which provides the only connections between farmers and those who serve them, making this infrastructure ever more important.
Maintaining the integrity and capacity of roads, tunnels and bridges should be a policy priority. The American Transportation Research Institute estimates that congestion cost the trucking industry over $9 billion in 2013. Focusing on congestion, bottlenecks and pavement materials can improve delivery times and promote safer roadway shipping.