Is the "infrastructure crisis" a myth or a reality? Many within the transportation community firmly believe that the crisis is real. They point out that many of our roads, bridges and transit systems are approaching the end of their useful life and are badly in need of repair, reconstruction and modernization. They are convinced that without an ambitious program of investment —beyond the billions that already are being spent—the transportation infrastructure will continue to deteriorate, rendering great harm to the nation’s economy. They find it difficult to understand why politicians and the public do not necessarily share the same sense of urgency. They tend to blame themselves for doing a poor job of "educating" the public about the catastrophic consequences of inaction.
Even though the new two-year transportation bill has barely gone into effect (on October 1), activists already are strategizing how better, i.e. more convincingly, to present the case for higher transportation spending in the next transportation bill. As an AASHTO spokesman reminded us recently, "it is never too early to consider your strategy for making the case that the United States should continue to invest in its transportation infrastructure." "We can’t afford to relax," echoed Pete Ruane, president of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). "We’re in a very serious struggle over the future of federal investment in transportation." Similar sentiments have been voiced in various transportation-related meetings over the past several months..
But proponents of greater spending ignore the political realities. With mounting deficits and the shadow of a $16 trillion debt hovering over all fiscal decisions, Congress is not about to vastly increase spending on transportation. Concern about deteriorating infrastructure has failed to resonate with the electorate during the election campaign. Nor did the presidential condidates care to mention transportation in their recent debate on domestic priorities, despite pleas by stakeholder groups to include infrastructure on the political agenda.
Infrastructure crisis believers decry this supposed "indifference" or "short-sightedness" on the part of the politicians and the public. But their anger is misplaced. People recognize and acknowledge the need to modernize and expand the nation’s infrastructure. They simply are not convinced by the "sky is falling" rhetoric employed by the alarmists—dire warnings of collapsing bridges and crumbling roads if government does not greatly increase spending on infrastructure.
As the Washington Post editorialized no too long ago, people see no signs of "crumbling infrastructure." They trust their own eyes more than they trust the unverified claims of the experts —and what they see is highways and transit networks that are well maintained and functioning smoothly and reliably most of the time. They suspect that warnings of catastrophic consequences if spending on infrastructure is not boosted, are overblown, self-serving, and more often than not inspired by liberal advocacy groups, lobbyists and industry spokesmen who have a financial stake in pushing for more federal spending. As one senior congressional aide confided to us, "I don’t see our constituents lobbying to raise the gas tax in order to spend more money on transportation."
Moreover, the public is not sure that all of the billions of dollars that the federal government already devotes to transportation ($114 billion in FY 2012) are spent wisely, nor that more money will make the transportation system perform any better (e.g. reduce congestion). They believe that the desire to greatly increase investment in infrastructure must be tempered by the overriding imperative to get the nation’s fiscal house in order.
Beyond MAP-21
The fiscal and political climate in the next few years will make the job of convincing the skeptical electorate to support higher transportation spending even harder. Funding constraints will continue to make it difficult if not downright impossible for Congress to commit hundreds of billions of federal dollars in a single legislative package, regardless of which party controls the purse strings. Unwilling to raise fuel taxes, Congress is likely to embrace short-term bills as a convenient way out of the dilemma. Short-term authorizations such as MAP-21 will require only modest transfers from the general fund —especially if states are willing to step in with increased contributions of their own. On the other hand, a six-year bill would require an injection of nearly $90 billion in general revenue.
To be sure, some in the stakeholder community will contend that longer-term (i.e. five- or six-year) authorizations are necessary to allow for orderly planning and implementation of capital projects. They will argue that short-term bills will not provide the kind of funding certainty that major public works require. But to the extent that large capital investments still figure on State DOTs’ and transit authorities’ agendas, private capital, tolling, and credit instruments such as TIFIA and state infrastructure banks, will provide adequate alternatives to the funding stability that long-term congressional authorizations offered in years past.
The bottom line: regardless of the outcome of the November elections, do not expect a boost in federal transportation spending. Indeed, minor reductions in discretionary programs (TIGER, New Starts) are possible if automatic year-end spending cuts under sequestration are not avoided.
Comments
19 responses to “Warnings of an “infrastructure Crisis” are Meeting with Skepticism”
The problem I see is the lack of general everyday and preventive maintenance on government owned properties (not just transportation). Whenever there are budget crisis or shortfalls, the first thing that seems to go is general maintenance. From highway departments to school districts maintenance its the same story, cut maintenance first, instead of some fat.
Bad idea in my book, because you have to do it at some point and the longer it doesn’t get done, the more it costs! That’s if you can even fix it at that point. It seems like so many projects are done because nobody has been bothered enough to maintain something, and it needs replacement solely due to lack of keeping it up.
Case in point, a local school district wants $200 million building project. This is after decades of cutting maintenance and deferred replacing wear items (like boilers). The high school building is 40 years old and suffers from lack of maintenance. They claim because the building is “old”, but my house is nearly 70 and doesn’t have those issues. Why would I want to give them $200 million in new construction to neglect? Another local district, recently taken over by the state, has a five year old building that has major maintenance issues already. That’s on top of all the major problems with its much older buildings. New buildings, contrary to general belief are not maintenance free.
It general neglect that is the crisis. Most things last far longer with simple upkeep, and that is not done by many government units.
Dave from NorCal
Part of the unease shown by the public is their experience of transportation projects that are larded with special-interest side-shows. Bike lanes, light-rail, HOV lanes – are but a few boondoggles that are included in the project plan and dramatically drive-up costs. Here in Sonoma County, CA – the bike nazis are demanding a bridge over Hwy 101 so that they can better access a light-rail system that will never run! The local city is considering spending something north of $200k just to “study” the “problem”.
Infrastructure is physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterpriseor the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function. gay adult blogs
Very great post. I just stumbled regarding the web log and also also wished to mention that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing around the weblog posts. In virtually any case I can be subscribing in your rss feed and in addition I hope you write when even more shortly!
tranh thêu chữ thập
ấm siêu tốc
máy làm sữa chua
máy sấy quần áo
bàn là hơi nước
đai massage
máy trồng rau mầm
quạt sưởi
máy sưởi dầu
chảo điện
hộp cơm hâm nóng
cây nước nóng lạnh
cây lau nhà
nồi cơm điện
máy hút bụi
lò nướng
chăn điện
tủ nhựa
máy hút sữa
máy chạy bộ
máy chạy bộ điện
bà bầu
nồi áp suất điện
máy đuổi chuột
máy tập cơ bụng
máy giặt mini
bếp hồng ngoại
máy làm sữa đậu nành
do gia dung
According to Deputy Director of Savills Vietnam, Troy Griffiths, many years ago, Vietnam are among the countries with economic growth rates high, but the infrastructure is poor, typically Us roads, bridges, airports, parking, etc. … have not kept up with growth. dịch thuật tiếng nhật | dịch thuật tiếng hàn
Therefore, it can be considered a great potential for the real estate market in Vietnam. The problem is cleared funds, bad debt settlement, inventory to prop up the construction industry. dịch thuật tiếng trung
dịch thuật tiếng pháp
dịch thuật tiếng đức
Answering the question, the NPL ratio in the real estate sector accounted for 19.25% of total NPLs Vietnam’s banking system as at present whether there is really worrying, he said Troy rate this song is high in many countries and regions such as Thailand, the Philippines is even higher than during the real estate bubble of them. Mr Troy said the state should be “tough decisions” and “prescription correctly” to solve this problem.
I enjoyed your article write your thoughts ban.bai bring them to me I will share your article on my facbook than People can know each other and share the Furniture you expect there will be more articles and will be a day I will return to thank Online AdventureCông ty Phiên dịch tiếng nga uy tín chất lượng
Dịch vụ Phiên dịch tiếng trung giá rẻ ở hà nội
Hệ thống Phiên dịch tiếng nhật logic
Việt Tín chuyênPhiên dịch tiếng hàn tại hà nội
Giá Phiên dịch tiếng anh hợp lý nhất
Mr Troy said the state should be “tough decisions” and “prescription correctly” to solve this problem.
hip hop beats for sale
Mr Troy said the state should be “tough decisions” and “prescription correctly” to solve this problem.
priser nyt tag
I will share your article on my facbook than People can know each other and share the Furniture you expect there will be more articles and will be a day I will return to thank Online Adventure.
seo services
They will argue that short-term bills will not provide the kind of funding certainty that major public works require…
__________________________
steel flanges
steel flanges
property in marine drive cochin
property in marine drive cochin
web designing company in india
web designing company in india
It’s a great pleasure reading your post.It’s full of information I am looking for and I love to post a comment that “The content of your post is awesome” Great work! Paket Liburan Jogja
A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. Paket Wisata Jogja 3 Hari 2 Malam
Plagiarism Avenger can prevent content thief. STOP Content Thieves from Ranking Above You! Plagiarism Avenger Review
To become an online marketer after 15 hours with Virtual Staff Finder Academy. It has 5 useful modules
A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work. Paket Tour Jogja
Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign! Software Toko
Infrastructure is physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterpriseor the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function covert viral wizard review
Awesome post! Just totally fantastic! I really like it! This is the best post ever! Proactol Reviews
Great article. I had previously been examining continuously the excellent web log and also I am impressed! Very useful information especially the final stage 🙂 I attend to our information a whole lot. I had been looking for the excellent certain info for a some kind of very a long time. Say thanks a ton and in addition good luck
Thi công vách kính