Strategic Spending will Bring Big Benefits with Infrastructure Dollars
Efficient and effective investments in our nation’s infrastructure are essential to economic growth
There is an urgent need for our nation to restore or upgrade its crumbling infrastructure. With promising 
developments at the federal, state and local levels, many state departments of transportation and municipalities have committed to major infrastructure investments.
Deficient or dangerous infrastructure will be top on the list. Public safety comes first. After that, investments must be strategic to achieve the gains in jobs, economic growth, global competitiveness and quality of life that Americans deserve. This will require rethinking transportation priorities and approaches so that new spending creates a new level of performance.
When dollars are available, America has an opportunity to reposition its transportation infrastructure for the future. One of the biggest challenges will be spending the money in the most effective ways:
Prioritize projects transparently —
When spending large amounts of public money on any infrastructure project, it is critical to preserve taxpayers’ trust. Engaging stakeholders throughout the project will ensure the
greatest success.
Deliver projects more efficiently —
Alternative delivery methods, such as
design-build and public-private partnerships, can spur innovation, gain economies of scale, accelerate timelines and seize other opportunities to deliver the project efficiently. By adopting alternative delivery methods for more projects — and even smaller projects — states can deliver more bang for the buck.
Innovate before you construct —
Instead of building more lanes to cure traffic congestion, consider options that are more cost efficient and less invasive. The objective is to increase capacity during times of greatest demand, without adding new lanes that are costly to build and maintain — and often unnecessary beyond the rush hour.
Advance user-centered mobility —
Technology is revolutionizing every aspect of travel, from digital maps and GPS guidance to digital tickets for trains, subways and ride sharing. Now is the time to invest in strategies and technologies that erase the seams between modes so travelers can easily assess and activate mobility options.
These strategies can deliver critical infrastructure while also ensuring that each dollar is spent effectively. We can expect significant debate as our leaders seek agreement on a range of transportation-related policy issues surrounding challenges of rural-versus-urban project prioritization, public transit investments, regulatory issues and how to best fund the work at the federal level.
Content Provided by HNTB:
HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With more than a century of service in the United States, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com.
