Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our transportation systems were already facing a large investment backlog. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the nation faces a $2 trillion investment gap through 2025. Failure to act means the disposable income each U.S. household currently loses each year due to deficient infrastructure could grow to over $5,000 from 2026 to 2040. The pandemic has only accelerated those losses.
Yet despite the clear need, Washington has been slow to act. Even with trillion-dollar proposals coming from both the administration and Congress, neither branch was able to resolve partisan concerns to pass infrastructure or a second round of financial stimulus legislation.
So how do we ensure action at a time when our nation desperately needs it? For one, there has to be bipartisan support. If Republicans retain control of the Senate, negotiations with a majority-weakened House may enable a compromise. If there is a 50–50 Senate split, the focus will shift to convincing possible swing votes from the Democratic members, particularly Senators Manchin and Sinema.
Another thing is to assure that infrastructure investments qualifying for support reflect a mix of funding including public, private, and joint public–private financing. Doing so would enable the demand for federal dollars to be prioritized for projects not likely to be funded by pension and other institutional investors.
In order to build broad support — especially for transportation infrastructure — Washington should empower states, cities, and metropolitan areas through more direct funding and project selection authority. They should be allowed to experiment with market mechanisms and develop truly integrated transportation, land use, and economic development plans.
Now is the time for transformative leadership. Our executive and legislative leaders need to hear from all of us.