Specific Categories of Possible Investment
We now turn to the arguments for and against bold new infrastructure spending in each of 11 categories roughly in order of most to least bipartisan support.
1
Surface Transportation
ANNUAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
ASCE ESTIMATES
n/a
Current Grade
n/a
Trend
$122B
Funding needed to raise to a "B" Grade
PROPOSED ANNUAL INCREASE
% COVERED FOR AN ASCE "B" GRADE
- Remaining need not covered by federal
- Need covered by Biden
- Need covered by GOP
- Need covered by CSC
- Need covered by PSC
When most people think of infrastructure, they think first of roads and bridges. The passenger and freight rail system and public transit are also important categories of surface transportation. We will consider surface transportation first as a whole and then examine each of three sub-categories.
The ASCE 2021 Report Card estimates that we need $122 billion per year in total new funding (including state and local) to raise the condition of our surface transportation to a B grade. President Biden’s plan would add $30.4 billion per year, which is 25% of the new funding needed and a 44% increase in federal baseline spending. The Senate Republicans’ plan would add $15.5 billion per year, which is 13% of the new funding needed and a 23% increase in federal funding. The Common Sense Coalition plan that President Biden now supports proposes $47.1 billion in new funding, which is 39% of the need and a 69% increase in federal funding. The Problem Solvers’ plan proposes $38.7 billion, providing 32% of the need and a 57% increase in federal funding per year.