This article from Pew Trusts discusses the persistent challenges faced by state and local governments in the United States regarding infrastructure investment. Despite spending roughly half a trillion dollars annually on transportation and water infrastructure, there remains a significant backlog of needed repairs and modernization efforts. This backlog, estimated to be nearly $1 trillion, is exacerbated by the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increased precipitation.
The decline in federal spending on infrastructure since the 1980s has contributed to this issue, although recent legislation like the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act aims to reverse this trend. However, factors such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and worker shortages complicate the impact of these investments.
The lack of consistent data on deferred maintenance further hampers policymakers’ ability to address the problem effectively. The article emphasizes the need for more substantial investments, better data, and management tools to evaluate progress, highlighting the real-life effects of substandard infrastructure on communities, including public safety risks and economic impediments, particularly in marginalized areas. Despite these challenges, there is a consensus on the need for improved infrastructure investment and innovation to ensure equitable growth and climate resilience.
Read the full article on Pewtrusts.org: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/02/03/state-and-local-governments-face-persistent-infrastructure-investment-challenges
