Moreover, evidence suggests that the temporary jobs created by road building projects are costly indeed. If we are really interested in fueling the economy, we should instead be repairing roads and creating more mass transit. Clark Wieman, Research Director of Cooper Union's Infrastructure Institute, found that road maintenance projects are more labor-intensive than new building projects or major construction. Moreover, investment in transit can be expected to generate a higher level of employment due to the continuing need to operate public transportation systems. Studies for the Economic Policy Institute found that cost-benefit ratios for transit exceed those for highway spending.
New conditions call for new solutions.
TEA-21 offers regions the resources to implement a broad range of strategies that make far more economic sense than new highway projects. But to make use of them, transportation decision makers must resist the lure of supporting road construction in the name of economic development. This article was adapted by Ken Coughlin from articles by Hank Dittmar and Don Chen appearing in the February 1999 issue of Progress, a publication of the Surface Transportation Policy Project . If you would like a response, please include your e-mail address in your comment. TA Discussion is the Transportation Alternatives open discussion list.