More investment needed to maintain highway and transit systems in US, says report

More investment is needed to maintain highway and transit systems in US as well as overcome a nearly trillion-dollar investment backlog, according to a new report titled, ‘2015 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges and Transit: Conditions and Performance’.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Secretary Foxx stated that the congressionally mandated report confirms the projections outlined in ‘Beyond Traffic,’ a study conducted by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) focusing on the country's transportation challenges over the next 30 years.

Foxx said: “We have an infrastructure system that is fundamental to the nation’s economic health, and it needs greater attention and resources.

"Improving our nation’s roads, bridges, and transit helps create jobs, connects communities and ensures that our nation is equipped for the future.”

The new report revealed an $836bn backlog of unmet capital investment needs for highways and bridges, which is 3.4% higher than the estimate made in the previous report.

Addressing the growing backlog, while still meeting other needs over the next two decades, will require $142.5bn in combined transportation spending from state, federal and local governments.

Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau said: “The case for more investment in our nation’s transportation system is clear.

“A strong transportation system will make businesses more productive and freight shippers safer and more efficient while improving America’s quality of life.”

The report also suggests that $26.4bn is required annually to improve the condition of transit rail and bus systems.

In 2012, $17bn was spent on preserving and expanding transit systems.

If transit investment is sustained at those levels, overall transit system conditions are expected to decline over the next 20 years, and increase the transit system preservation backlog from an estimated $89.8bn to $122bn.