Transportation For America » Transportation For America on economic recovery and infrastructure

Transportation For America on economic recovery and infrastructure

December 8, 2008
By Andrew Bielak

With President-elect Barack Obama pledging tens of billions of dollars for infrastructure in the upcoming economic recovery package and Congress preparing for the expiration of the current federal transportation bill next October, there can be little doubt that 2009 is going to be a big year for our roads, bridges, and mass transit systems.

To stay on top of these issues, be sure to check out the National Journal’s new “expert blog” on transportation, an online venue which gives some of nation’s strongest voices on transportation an opportunity to discuss the future of America’s transportation program.

This week, moderator Lisa Caruso has asked contributors to offer their recommendations on how the Obama administration should spend money on infrastructure in next year’s economic stimulus bill. Transportation for America Co-chair Geoff Anderson offered some sound advice in a post this morning:

The key goals of this investment should be to preserve America’s existing highway and transit networks, while giving our growing nation more options for getting around, in turn allowing Americans to use less gasoline. If we spend this money the right way, we should get a three-for-one-return on our investment: A revitalized economy positioned for long-term health; less dependence on oil; and a reduction in climate-damaging emissions.

We can get there by investing $100 billion to repair and preserve highways, bridges and existing public transportation service; build modern rail and rapid bus lines and upgrading all forms of service in cities large and small; develop high-speed and other forms of inter-city rail; and make streets safe for walking and biking.

With nationally prominent politicians like Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and prominent industry members like outgoing transportation secretary Mary Peters signed up to contribute, expect to see plenty of robust debate — along with some fresh perspective from Transportation For America’s coalition — at the expert blog in the upcoming months.