America Moving Forward believes strongly that crucial investments in infrastructure can solve our infrastructure crisis. We support public-private partnerships that deliver innovative solutions to problems that nearly all of us face each day.

These investments provide:

Cost-effective solutions to an urgent need
American infrastructure needs urgent upkeep and management. Nearly 1/3 of all American bridges are structurally deficient and many more are functionally obsolete. The federal government has less than 10% of the money needed to fix this problem. Without an infusion of new money, the states will be forced to make up a shortfall of over $100 billion by raising taxes and cutting funding for crucial services like healthcare, public transportation and education. By partnering with the private sector, state governments can ensure a win/win for taxpayers by enhancing the quality and reliability of American infrastructure without stretching their budgets too far.

Increased efficiency for American infrastructure
American infrastructure is only as good as its reliability and predictability, but in 2008, the average American will spend the equivalent of one full work week sitting in traffic. That number represents wasted time, money and gas that could be saved by improving safety and flow on our roads and bridges. Already facing a spending crunch, the government does not have the money needed to accomplish this goal, but the private sector often has the ability to solve these problems through traffic modeling, high-speed tolling technology and greater investment capacity. By working together, government and leading private sector operators can build mutually beneficial partnerships that improve the quality and efficiency of public infrastructure for all Americans, saving taxpayers money, reducing fuel consumption and getting you where you need to go faster.

American infrastructure that’s safe and secure
Recent events have made it clear that we can’t afford to let our infrastructure deteriorate. On August 2, 2007, with little warning, the Minneapolis Bridge suddenly gave way, leading to a tragic loss of human life. The truth is that the structural deficiencies that faced the bridge are not unusual due to competing funding priorities in states across the country. The Minneapolis Bridge had been labeled “structurally deficient” since 1990 along with thousands of bridges nationwide. These bridges are critical assets for the state governments tasked with maintaining them, but more often than not, the high cost of infrastructure improvement far exceeds the available funding sources. Private sector investment produces safe, cost-efficient infrastructure for the Americans who depend on it every day. By partnering with the private sector, state governments can ensure a steady stream of funding to keep our roads and bridges safe and secure.

Infrastructure that builds and encourages strong communities
Private sector investment ensures that Americans stay well connected through reliable transportation infrastructure. By cutting down on commuting time and reducing congestion, these partnerships can help improve mobility within and between communities, encouraging economic development in previously passed-over areas. Public-private partnerships also create jobs for American workers and save communities money that they can use for healthcare and improving their schools. With the money a state saves on one privately operated highway, it can fund the development of new road projects or build new hospitals or new schools. Public-private partnerships also help to reduce traffic congestion, cutting down on emissions of all kinds and ensuring cleaner air for us and our children. With public-private partnerships, Americans gain a long-term partner committed to preserving their communities as great places to live, work and raise families.