U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today urged Congress to transform national transportation policy.

"We must seize this unique opportunity and transform the way Congress determines our national transportation policy," Snowe said in a release from her office.

"We must be bold, explore all options, and develop new, innovative solutions that repair the problems we face today while possessing the vision to prepare for future needs."

Snowe feels the federal government should act quickly to transform infrastructure as the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Highway Reauthorization near renewal, according to her office.

"Congress needs to start planning for this massive restructuring now, rather than waiting until the last minute or for another horrific tragedy like the bridge collapse in Minneapolis last year," Snowe said.

"Should the entire existing highway program be scrapped so Congress can start from scratch?"

According to Snowe's office, members agreed that transforming how the federal government pays for transportation networks could not happen overnight. In addition, Snowe's stance on implementing a greater acountability and better performance within the infrstructure was met with general agreement, the Senator's office reported.