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Four Ways to Make Wiser Infrastructure Investments
Article

Four Ways to Make Wiser Infrastructure Investments


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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Eye Opening
  • Concrete Examples
  • Hot Topic

Recommendation

In the United States, highways and bridges are crumbling, water systems are aging, and public transportation is woefully underfunded. Despite bipartisan agreement that infrastructure is a national priority, Washington, DC, lawmakers can’t seem to kick legislation into high gear. That leaves state and local governments to sort out the messes on their own. Economist Aaron Klein’s four intriguing proposals could pave the way toward more efficient infrastructure solutions. getAbstract recommends this thought-provoking article to public and private sector investors.

Summary

In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimated it would cost $4.6 trillion to restore the entire US infrastructure. State and local governments typically drive specific projects. However, the federal government’s role in setting this revitalization into motion through incentives and decision-support programs is critical. Four cooperative frameworks can help governments at all levels view infrastructure as an investment rather than as spending, as well as provide more resources and enable smart choices:

  • “Pooled procurement” – Infrastructure repair and improvement is a decentralized process...

About the Author

Aaron Klein is a fellow of economic studies at the Brookings Institution.