Issue 1-09

Infrastructure Report Urges 'Big Picture' Approach to Planning, Spending Priorities

The U.S. Government needs to rethink and improve how its funds and plans instructure projects, according to a report released April 20 by the Urban Land Institute and Ernst & Young.

Infrastructure 2009: Pivot Point recommends a fourpronged approach to addressing U.S. Infrastructure needs, including establishing a much-recommended national strategy that incorporates transportation, energy, environmental, and housing considerations.

The report also advocates making structural changes to local, state and federal agencies overseeing infrastructure so that they better work together.

Maureen McAvey, executive vice president for ULI's Initiatives Group, speaking at a briefing to unveil the report, said too often localities and states look at transportation issues only as they affect the region or state.  "Roads and waters don't stop because you cross some mythical border," she said.

In addition, the report backs a better fee system that more accurately charges users, which for transportation could take the form of congestion pricing, simple tolling, or a vehicle-miles-traveled road fee system.  It says that "funding burdens must shift from taxpaers to users since depleted goverment coffers will not sustain initiatives."

Other recommendations in the report include the creation of a national infrastructure bank that could attract private capital to needed projects and focusing stimulus package spending on routine repairs to improve current infrastructure as a national strategy is considered.

source:  BNI