The American Trucking Associations, in conjunction with the American Automobile Association, the American Highway Users Alliance, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have formed a coalition of highway user groups. This coalition is intended to combat the trend toward the privatization or leasing of existing toll facilities to private investors.
Known as “Americans for a Strong National Highway Network,” the coalition is designed to advance the rights of American motorists to travel on safe, reliable public roads; maintain a robust national highway network for the efficient transport of goods and the military; and to hold government accountable for ensuring financing is transparent, motivated by public good, and dedicated to transportation purposes.
ATA strongly opposes the lease or sale of existing toll roads, bridges, or tunnels to private parties. It has called on the government to abandon these financing techniques. The group supports the objective of a toll-free national highway system where money to finance highway improvements primarily come from highway user fees, such as the fuel tax.