Susan Lent Talks Freight Movement with Law360

Akin Gump transportation partner Susan Lent was quoted by Law360 for its article “DOT Freight Plan Rests On Congress' Highway Funding Deal” on hopes for a new federal plan to improve the nation’s freight infrastructure.

The article notes that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released a draft National Freight Strategic Plan to eliminate obstacles in the efficient movement of goods.

Regarding this plan, Lent said, “It's recommending performance objectives and the intent is to take a very holistic look at all the different elements or aspects of facilities and freight movement from filling potholes to investing in better technology at ports or rail system safety and improvements of grade crossings. What is everything we can think of that should be looked at so that the United States can realize its full potential of moving goods effectively and efficiently.”

Regarding the DOT’s stated goal of improving coordination and synchronization across government, she noted, “There’s been coordination before because you’ve got connections for goods that are coming off the seaports and railroads [but] this is an attempt to better coordinate.”

Lent, whose practice focuses on compliance with federal transportation laws and regulations, said, “The fact that you have the DOT, the House and the Senate all interested in freight movement and the impact of freight movement on the economy, there’s optimism. At the same time, it’s kind of a cautious optimism because until there is a new transportation law that provides additional direction and funding, that’s really what’s needed to take this to the next level.”