John Horsley, Executive Director of AASHTO, speaks to a reporter about transportation in the U.S.

At a press availability held today outside Washington, DC's busy Union Station, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley said, "It's important that the American people have a voice in creating the kind of transportation system this nation needs. Our goal is to make certain that we find transportation solutions that work with and for communities and support jobs right here at home."

State departments of transportation (DOTs) across the country will be encouraging citizens to post videos about what's happening in their communities. AASHTO will also be posting comments from "person-on-the-street" interviews we will be conducting over the next several months.

You can already watch videos from drivers, transit users, and transportation experts voicing their concerns about traffic congestion, safety, air pollution, state budget cutting, and project delays due to funding shortfalls. A major challenge facing the new Administration and Congress will be to pass a new transportation bill before the current federally funded highway and transit programs expire on September 30, 2009.

AASHTO will continue the campaign through the Inauguration and will share the public's concerns with members of Congress and the White House early next year.

To post a video or a written comment, go to www.IToldThePresident.org and add your voice to the discussion.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.