Infrastructure time

Leaders on both sides should be able to reach a deal

Democrats and Republicans alike looking to regain some credibility with the voting public should hit the road, literally, and get down to business on the often-discussed infrastructure plan.

President Donald Trump has said a trillion-dollar infrastructure plan is in the works, and congressional Democrats have embraced the idea of such a project. This is a real opportunity for both sides to find common ground and accomplish something significant. It would both benefit the country in tangible terms and possibly help move political discourse in this country away from vitriol.

There are, however, compromises to be made. Mr. Trump has said he favors a plan based on public-private partnerships. Partnerships with private developers will surely be necessary for the large-scale infrastructure reboot this country needs. But the plan can’t simply involve tax breaks that benefit a handful of big contractors without paying for new projects that wouldn’t otherwise get funding. These breaks likely would only benefit already existing projects and would not provide the incentive necessary for some of the large-scale projects that are most necessary.

Democrats, likewise, can’t insist on an infrastructure plan that recklessly spends and creates crippling deficits that aren’t offset by the economic benefits of the work.

And there can be real economic benefits of an infrastructure overhaul. Rebuilding and revitalizing the nation’s roads, bridges, airports and other infrastructure benefits the public and businesses alike that need such structures. The work involved in planning, designing and building the projects should spur economic growth and create jobs.

The challenge is to make the most of a 10-year, trillion-dollar plan by using that time and money efficiently. Priority must be given to ambitious projects that benefit the largest number of people and aim to build stateof-the-art roads, buildings, sewer systems and other structures that will have a long life span.

The infrastructure deal provides an opportunity to show the country that Democrats and Republicans can set aside nastiness and accomplish something meaningful.