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Improving Our Bridges, Roads and Transit
Bridges
Our nation was horrified when on August 1, 2007 the I-35W bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Minnesota collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring more than 100 people. The bridge had been declared structurally deficient 17 years earlier - but like 27 percent of America’s bridges, it was neglected. The cost in lives and of replacing the I-35W span is symbolic of bridges across America. To properly repair bridges is significantly less costly than replacing them - taxpayers will foot a $234 million bill to replace the I-35W bridge, which could have been saved.
Roads
Roadways in poor condition and over capacity cost American drivers $67 billion per year in repairs and operating costs – that comes to $333 per driver each year. Poor roadways suck $78.2 billion per year from our economy and account for 4.2 billion hours of wasted time. The state of our roadways doesn't just cost time and money - experts say it contributes to a third of all traffic fatalities.
Rail Freight and Transit
The capacity of America’s rail system is failing to keep up with our needs for both freight and commuter transit. For America to continue competing in a global economy we must make sure that goods can be quickly and efficiently transported but that is becoming increasingly difficult given the lack of investment to improve our freight rail system. Deteriorating rail transportation is forcing more trucks and cars onto our roadways, exacerbating traffic congestion.
Aviation
Inadequate airport capacity and outdated air traffic control technologies are contributing to record flight cancellations and delays. The FAA estimates that over one billion people will travel on commercial airlines annually over the next ten years. To get them where they are going on time and safely, our country will have to better support air traffic.
Resources
Highway Bridge Program Clearer Goals and Performance Measures Needed for a More Focused and Sustainable Program. Government Accountability Office.
Look Out Below! America's Infrastructure Is Crumbling. Pew Research Center.
Visioning Transportation's Future. Brookings Institution.
Down By The Station: Exploring the Benefits of Rail Transit in the 21st Century. Brookings Institution.