A Call to Pay the U.S. Infrastructure Price Tag

Abstract

The author argues that the issue of federal infrastructure investment must be brought to the forefront of this nation's agenda. Currently, by conservative estimates based on U.S. government agency figures, the total infrastructure price tag for the United States is $853 billion. Although measures such as the reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act are helpful, it will take bold steps—such as the implementation of a federal capital budget devoted to infrastructure—to address this enormous infrastructure deficit.