Ray Cantor, Deputy Chief Government Affairs Officer at the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said on Apr. 6 that Congress should focus on improving and expanding freight rail transportation as part of upcoming federal infrastructure legislation. Cantor made these comments following his participation in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill with other rail advocates.
Cantor said strengthening freight rail is vital for New Jersey’s economy because it helps keep transportation costs down and ensures goods move efficiently throughout the state. He wrote, “For a state as small as New Jersey, rail plays an outsized role in our economy. We are the most densely rail-connected state in the nation, served by 19 freight railroads that connect our ports, manufacturers, warehouses, and distribution centers to markets across North America.” Cantor added that these connections are essential for moving goods efficiently in and out of New Jersey.
He explained that when products such as construction materials or food can be shipped by train instead of trucks alone, supply chain costs remain lower. “When freight can move efficiently by train—whether it’s construction materials, consumer goods or food products—transportation costs remain lower throughout the supply chain. That helps stabilize prices for businesses and consumers,” Cantor wrote.
The current surface transportation program was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act but will expire on Sept. 30. Cantor urged lawmakers to make sure future reauthorizations provide states with long-term certainty so they can plan infrastructure projects effectively.
“As Congress prepares the next surface transportation reauthorization policymakers should recognize these differences and adopt policies that strengthen rail’s role in the freight network,” he wrote. “That means modernizing permitting processes so rail infrastructure improvements can move forward more efficiently. It also means encouraging innovation—allowing railroads to deploy advanced inspection technology, automation, and data-driven tools that enhance both safety and efficiency.”
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association serves as the nation’s largest statewide employer association representing employers across various sectors according to its official website. The organization advances competitive excellence for its members while providing essential information and services according to its official website. Michele Siekerka is president and chief executive officer of NJBIA according to its official website.
NJBIA supports private-sector employers throughout New Jersey according to its official website, facilitates partnerships among businesses, government entities, and academic institutions according to its official website, and offers advocacy along with cost-saving benefits designed to help businesses prosper according to its official website.
