( CNN ) -- President Barack Obama called Friday for Congress to fund proposals to expand public-private programs to build and repair modern ports , pipelines , schools and other infrastructure . At a campaign-style event in Miami , Obama said strengthening the nation 's infrastructure should be a non-partisan issue because it helps American business and creates jobs for the construction industry . `` We ca n't afford Washington politics to stand in the way of America 's progress , '' Obama said , adding that `` ultimately , Congress has to fund these projects . '' Obama 's proposals followed up on his call in this year 's State of the Union address for such public-private partnerships to strengthen infrastructure development . A White House aide told reporters traveling with Obama on Air Force One that the proposals outlined Friday would cost $ 21 billion , but added that they would not add to the federal deficit . `` Their impact on the economy will be substantially greater because they will be leveraged two to one , three to one , four to one , up to seven to one depending upon the particular program , '' said Alan Krueger , the chairman of Obama 's Council of Economic Advisers . He added that `` they will not increase the deficit by a dime because they are paid for in our budget . '' Obama 's budget for next year is due in coming weeks . Obama has unsuccessfully sought congressional approval throughout his presidency for a more aggressive national investment in road , rail , bridge and energy infrastructure construction to create jobs and spur economic growth . While some states have embraced private-public partnerships , Congress has been less receptive , partly because Republicans want to offset any new spending with cuts elsewhere . Lawmakers from both parties are also wary of losing more control over decisions on the scope and pace of infrastructure development , a key area of federal spending that they can direct to their states and districts . Proponents of public-private partnerships argue that the nation 's aging infrastructure needs repair broadly and modernization . But shrinking federal , state and local budgets as well as less revenue overall from other traditional financing sources , like fuel taxes , have undercut efforts to keep pace with demand . The American Society of Civil Engineers said in a 2013 assessment that the United States had a `` significant backlog of overdue maintenance '' across infrastructure systems and a `` pressing need for modernization . '' For instance , the group estimates it will cost $ 21 billion to bring critical , aging dams up to speed . It also says one in nine of the nation 's bridges are rated as structurally deficient and spending on overall maintenance and construction is roughly $ 8 billion short of what 's necessary to keep them in good shape . More than 40 percent of America 's major urban highways remain congested , costing the economy an estimated $ 101 billion in wasted time and fuel annually , the engineering group said . Private equity , corporations and other investors have lined up billions to spend on projects that offer a financial return over time or other benefits , such as tax breaks . However , the lack of federal policy or new funding commitments for such arrangements has slowed that approach . Obama favors a new bond-financing program similar to a now-expired one that was created for states and municipalities to stimulate infrastructure construction . He also called for creation of a federally run infrastructure bank aimed at attracting outside investment , an idea he has floated previously that Congress has yet to embrace . A White House document on the plan said the proposed $ 10 billion infrastructure bank would raise as much as $ 200 billion in leveraged private investment . Citing a Miami tunnel project endorsed by both the city 's chamber of commerce and labor unions , he said such agreement showed that politicians also should be able to sign on .
NEW : Obama says Washington politics should n't slow America 's progress . President Obama calls for government-private sector partnerships for infrastructure . His proposals provide details to an idea from his State of the Union address . Score: 6 Engineering group cites deficient bridges and other infrastructure needs .