The Status Of Americas Transportation Infrastructure

Surface transportation in the United States currently faces a number of challenges. Despite the fact that we have one of the best transportation systems in the world, there are billions of dollars in unmet needs to bring America's infrastructure into the 21st century.

Surface transportation safety and efficiency have direct impacts on economic growth, land use, and accessibility to jobs and critical services. The inefficient movement of vehicles...both private and commercial....reduces productivity, wastes energy, increases emissions, and threatens the quality of life that we enjoy.

A safe, efficient transportation system is critical to our nation's productivity and economic development. It provides important financial benefits to individuals and businesses throughout the United States, employing over 12 million people, consuming one..of..every...five dollars...of total household spending...and accounting for 11 percent of America's economic activity.

Investing in this infrastructure is vital to our nation's economy. Federal investment into our nation's roads, translates into safer travel, tax-revenue, new jobs...and increased returns for American businesses.

The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the return on transportation investment by the federal government is more than...two to one...in economic benefits.

Over the past few decades, minimal progress has been made in this area...with many of our nation's roads and bridges receiving....band-aid maintenance...and in need of desperate repair.

America's public infrastructure system has been placed on the back burner of our national agenda for to long.

This neglect by the federal government has created the urgent need of...extensive investment...and repair...we face today. The maintenance and rebuilding needs of our nation's highways and transit systems...alone...surpass...the