With the expiration date looming for the current federal transportation authorization, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has launched a national campaign to build awareness and provide information on the critical needs of the U.S. transportation system.

“Are We There Yet? We Can Be!” is designed to be a one-stop shop for current information on the condition of the country's infrastructure, state examples of successful projects, innovative technology, and focused solutions that can be shared with the public, media, business and community groups, and lawmakers.

The campaign Website, http://arewethereyet.transportation.org/, outlines the AASHTO authorization proposals and includes facts about America's transportation infrastructure as well as a host of examples and information on issues ranging from safety and congestion to freight and transit. AASHTO's new television Web channel, www.TransportationTV.org, offers interviews with key members of Congress; information on issues, such as the Highway Trust Fund; backgrounders and a weekly news show devoted to transportation issues.

The campaign stresses three key points: state DOTs are accountable; their projects are community-driven; and their work is performance based – on-time, on-budget and using the most innovative technologies.

As part of its campaign, AASHTO also plans to continue to issue a series of reports on critical elements of our infrastructure, including in the coming weeks, its annual “Bottom Line” report, and “Rough Roads Ahead” which looks at pavement conditions and preserving the transportation system. Finally, community and business leaders as well as elected officials and the media can take action through the campaign to keep updated on legislative events, share information, and offer their own insights into the state of transportation today.