Time to build
Infrastructure should top U.S. agenda in 2018
The recent power outage at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport emphatically highlighted the need for improvements in America’s infrastructure.
President Donald Trump and Republicans have passed tax reform. It was a bruising battle that played out along party lines. The focus should now turn to modernizing our roads and bridges, ports, dams, airports, railroads and electrical grid — an effort that should receive bipartisan support.
Infrastructure investment was a priority for Mr. Trump during the campaign season. He is a billionaire businessman who has made his fortune in real estate. An infrastructure bill is in the president’s wheelhouse. Pairing a robust investment bill with the recently passed tax reform has the potential to supercharge the economy.
Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers issues a report card on the condition of America’s infrastructure. The 2017 grade was a D+. It is disgraceful for one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and it repeats the grade from 2013.
The 11-hour power outage in Atlanta, the world’s busiest airport, stranded thousands of travelers during one of the busiest travel weeks of the holiday season. The cause likely will be investigated for some time, but the debacle highlights the need to modernize airports and upgrade electrical systems and other infrastructure. As the nation’s airports age, it has become more difficult to keep them in proper operating condition. Airports Council International released a study last year that recommended $75.7 billion in investments for airports by 2019 to accommodate passenger growth and to repair and upgrade facilities. The ASCE report said America’s bridges may be in worse shape. About 40 percent of the nation’s 614,837 bridges are at least 50 years old, and there were an average of 188 million daily trips taken across deficient bridges in 2016, according to the report.
Investment also is needed on highways, locks and dams. Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission tolls are going up 6 percent Jan. 7, the 10th increase in as many years, with officials saying money is needed to maintain the aging highway system. A federal infrastructure program certainly would help.
Republicans and Democrats have floated preliminary plans that call for $1 trillion in infrastructure investments over 10 years. The Republicans are pushing for incentives and grants for the private sector to carry much of the load. Democrats are looking for federal agencies to do the majority of the work. On this issue, the parties have shared interests that should help them locate common ground.