Federal Transportation Infrastructure Investment Critically Important

Reconnecting America President and CEO John Robert Smith issued the following response to President Obama's State of the Union address January 24:

"I appreciate the President's recognition that repairing our transportation infrastructure must be a part of any plan to make an America 'built to last.' As the President pointed out, both Republican and Democratic administrations invested in great highway projects after World War II. Those major infrastructure investments benefited everybody, as the President noted, 'from the workers who built them to the businesses that still use them today.' And now, many of those roads and bridges are in disrepair.

"Today, as the nation begins to rise out of a deep recession, an investment in transportation infrastructure is critically important, including not only roads and bridges, but other modes such as trains and buses. Transportation choices for Americans are essential for reducing our dependence on foreign oil, increasing access to opportunity, and improving our quality of life. Indeed, transportation is a key component in making many of the President's other proposals work. We need transit options and intermodal links to take students to college, to transport unemployed workers to job training, and to bring employees and customers to small businesses. Quality, reliable public transportation systems are the anchors that help many communities thrive, whether they are in rural, suburban, or urban areas. 

“A world class transportation system can be made in America with Americans working to ensure that Americans have a way to get to work. That is a solution we can all support. As a former Republican mayor, I was pleased to hear the president's strong call not to politicize transportation construction. I encourage members of both parties to work towards a solution that will benefit all Americans."