5 Ways Politics Get in the Way of Better Roads. Better Bridges.

  • By 2015 the federal transportation funding gap to maintain transportation infrastructure will be  $1.4 trillion gap
  • U.S. Roads fell from #1 in the world to #11

What and who is to blame?

  • President Obama blames Republicans
  • Democratic Congressmen blame the stimulus package
    • too little transportation funds
    • too long wait to start projects
  • Fear of raising the gas tax according to Transportation Secretary
  • Republicans say a lack of faith in the federal government makes it difficult to raise a gas tax when it collects less revenue with electric vehicles and improved fuel efficiency
  • Ban on earmarks halted local transportation project funding

 

The Hill | How politics are getting in the way of better roads and bridges