Title: Six Ideas for Fixing the Nation's Infrastructure Problems
Headings: Six Ideas for Fixing the Nation's Infrastructure Problems
Six Ideas for Fixing the Nation's Infrastructure Problems
Here's how to plan, fund and make a safer, more efficient transportation system.
Revamp the Highway Trust Fund
Get Washington to Take the Issue Seriously
Empower State and Local Governments
Increase Rural Access
Get Cities to Think Big
Make Bridges Smarter
Caroline Cournoyer

Content: The White House, meanwhile, has called for a six-year surface transportation bill at $556 billion, nearly double the amount in the previous six-year bill. While Ryan’s budget fails to explain the sources of the savings, President Obama’s budget fails to describe the sources of revenue. State leaders say they need a fully funded, long-term bill, and that the series of ad hoc spending measures that have funded surface transportation since the previous bill expired in September 2009 has crippled their ability to pursue long-term projects. Compounding that problem are the upcoming elections in 2012. Many experts believe that if Congress passes a reauthorization bill before the elections, states would get less money than if it occurred afterward. For that reason, some state transportation officials are now pushing for a two-year bill instead of a six-year one, with the logic that more funding may become available if they’re willing to wait. For what it’s worth, Florida Rep. John Mica, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, vigorously supports a six-year plan. At a recent meeting of state transportation leaders, Mica joked, “Anyone who talks about anything less, I’ll take you outside and beat the crap out of you.” Empower State and Local Governments
States pay for about two-thirds of surface transportation spending. With less money available from the feds, their portion may need to grow -- an increasingly familiar storyline in all areas of funding right now.