Chao discusses future of U.S. infrastructure

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao told a Chamber of Commerce forum the nation’s transportation infrastructure is in need of repair, and the Trump administration will share its infrastructure investment plan in the next several weeks.    U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao discussed the importance and future of the nation’s infrastructure at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce forum on Monday.
   “Infrastructure is the backbone of our world class economy,” Chao said during her speech. “It is a key factor in productivity and economic growth….and it has also provided our country with unprecedented mobility, safety and security.” However, our crumbling infrastructure is increasingly congested, in need of repair, and is unable to keep pace with technological change, she said.
   A U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey conducted by Morning Consult and released Monday found:
     • 72 percent of voters believe the U.S. government should invest more in transportation and infrastructure as a whole;
     • 64 percent of voters want Congress to move forward with an infrastructure package;
     • 73 percent of voters believe the federal government should take the lead role by directing federal funds and providing incentives for private businesses;
     • 74 percent of voters agree investments in transportation infrastructure would create jobs;
     • And 70 percent of voters believe such investments would help American businesses.
   In March, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, grading our nation’s infrastructure as a D+ overall.
   “We are fortunate to have a president who understands the challenges of infrastructure,” Chao said during her speech. “He has made revitalizing, repairing and rebuilding our country’s infrastructure one of his top priorities.”
   In the next several weeks, Chao said the administration will share its vision of what the infrastructure plan will look like, which will kick off its collaboration with Congress.
   The new infrastructure plan will include $200 billion in direct federal funds, which will be used to leverage $1 trillion in infrastructure investments over the next 10 years.
   To put the proposal together, the White House has launched “a wide ranging, consultative process,” which includes an inter-agency task force consisting of 16 different federal government departments and agencies, she said.
   Chao also discussed the need to cut the red tape out of approving projects.
   “During this consultative process, investors had told us again and again that there is ample capital available, waiting to invest in infrastructure,” she said. “A major problem is the delays caused by government permitting and approval processes, which hold up projects for years, even decades. These delays increase the cost and increase the risk, adding again uncertainty and billions and billions of dollars to the projects.
   “And that’s why another key part of this administration’s infrastructure plan will include common sense, regulatory, administrative, organizational, and policy changes to speed project delivery and reduce uncertainty,” she added.
   Chao also said the administration is committed to an infrastructure plan that addresses the needs of the entire country, including both urban and rural areas.
   The administration’s definition of infrastructure is also very broad, she explained. In addition to recognizing traditional infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railroads, airports, inland waterways and ports, it could potentially include energy, water, broadband and veteran’s hospitals.
   “There has never been a more exciting time to be involved in infrastructure,” Chao said. “It’s a national priority, and has growing public support. There is also rare, bi-partisan consensus that now is the time to act.”