Transportation: Overview
The transportation industry includes mass transit, air couriers, trucking companies, railroads, shipping entities and other service companies. Our State Government Relations professionals work with our transportation clients to proactively protect their interests. We have worked with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States government on a broad range of issues to develop positive solutions for our transportation sector clients.
Buchanan strategically positions its clients before key decision makers within the appropriate agencies of the government, as well as the administration at all levels, from project managers to cabinet members. Buchanan's goal is to enhance the client's profile while establishing its credibility.
The experience our team has acquired through its involvement and knowledge of legislature and the intricacies of governmental affairs enables it to provide clients with the guidance necessary to efficiently and effectively partner with government.
Also, working in conjunction with the attorneys who comprise Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney's Transportation Practice Group, we have direct access to legal services in the event legal counsel is needed by our transportation-related clients.
Buchanan's transportation clients have benefited from initiatives resulting in the expansion of funding for road construction and mass transit. Most recently, professionals in our Pennsylvania Government Relations Group were responsible for the following key accomplishments:
- Assisted the Port Authority of Allegheny County in acquiring $100 million in federal funding for busway expansion projects. In addition, Buchanan played an important role in gaining the approval by the General Assembly of predictable funding legislation for public transit in Pennsylvania on two occasions: the original transit funding legislation in 1991, and most recently in 2007, with the enactment of Act 44, a comprehensive state transportation funding measure.
- Directed the effort on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County government, Port Authority of Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire federal funding for the extension of the Light Rail Transit Line (North Shore Connector), which recently received FTA approval and various highway improvements to enhance the development of Pittsburgh's downtown and North Shore.
- Advocated on behalf of the Port Authority of Allegheny County to secure federal "New Start" funding for the Stage II Light Rail Transit System rehabilitation, as well as federal funding for new bus purchases.
- Buchanan was instrumental in drafting and gaining the enactment of legislation to market inter-modal opportunities in Southwestern Pennsylvania through the creation of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. This has resulted in an annual state appropriation for port development of $1.5 million.