Strong infrastructure and a well-functioning transportation system are vital to the health of our economy, but for too long we’ve treated our infrastructure as though it doesn’t matter. And for too long, working people have paid the price.
The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates it will take $4 trillion over the next eight years to repair the damage to our roads, bridges, transit and rail systems, seaports, and airports caused by decades of neglect. With strong public and bipartisan support — and a dire need — for robust investment into our nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure, the question now is how to pay for such a massive price tag.
It is important to remember that investing in these projects is about more than just repairing and modernizing our nation’s infrastructure. The investments that need to be made have the potential to transform our economy, and breathe new life into our shrinking middle class — but vigilance is required. We must ensure that labor standards and Buy America rules apply to these projects, and that private investment is not used as an excuse to undercut working people in need of good jobs.
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