An ASCE report notes the pandemic has caused a decline in several revenue sources that support infrastructure. Municipal and state budgets are also buckling under unprecedented demands, meaning less support is available for parks, schools, and other publicly owned infrastructure.
ASCE wants Congress to make infrastructure “a centerpiece” of legislation to provide short-term emergency response and longer-range economic recovery following the pandemic.
For bridges and roads, ASCE asks for Congress to provide $50 billion for state departments of transportation and to come up with a long-term revenue fix for the struggling Highway Trust Fund. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials asked Congress for $49.95 billion over the fiscal 2020-21 period. On June 5, AASHTO along with more than 40 other transportation and construction groups, made the same request.
For transit, ASE is seeking $23.8 billion to keep transit systems operating. That equals the amount that the American Public Transportation Association requested from Congress on May 7. The House-passed Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions, or HEROs Act, also includes !15 billion for state DOTs. The Senate has yet to act on the HEROES bill or a comprehensive infrastructure package.
House Democrats’ recently introduced $1.5 trillion infrastructure package that includes increased funding for highways, transit, water, schools, and other infrastructure categories. A House floor vote on the bill is expected before the July 4 recess.
Source: ASCE & ENR
