Skip to main content

Highway and bridge rebuilds part of Obama’s US$4bn plans for infrastructure works

In his new budget on Wednesday 10 April, 2013, US president Barack Obama is due to reveal details of a proposed US$4 billion loans and grants investment in America’s roads, bridges and other infrastructure. During a visit to Port Miami, which is undergoing a $2 billion upgrade and tunnel project, the president also repeated a call for a $10 billion "infrastructure bank" to attract investment for projects that will have the greatest impact on the economy. The Obama administration is proposing tax breaks for
April 3, 2013 Read time: 1 min
In his new budget on Wednesday 10 April, 2013, US president Barack Obama is due to reveal details of a proposed US$4 billion loans and grants investment in America’s roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

During a visit to Port Miami, which is undergoing a $2 billion upgrade and tunnel project, the president also repeated a call for a $10 billion "infrastructure bank" to attract investment for projects that will have the greatest impact on the economy.

The Obama administration is proposing tax breaks for foreign pension funds that invest in US infrastructure, and bonds designed to attract investors in larger projects.

According to the president, employment of construction workers for infrastructure projects will increase the nation's competitiveness and reduce jobless rate.

Related Content

  • Road charging the way forward for road funding?
    May 23, 2012
    Major changes will be required in the way that highway infrastructure investment is funded in many developed nations. Fuel taxation is a key source of income for governments, with some countries (such as the US) using a set sum for road repairs, maintenance and new construction. Fuel taxation is a proportional way to fund road infrastructure improvements, basically as larger vehicles or those that are used more, will pay more.
  • Ethiopia races on with projects
    June 13, 2012
    Ethiopia is pursuing a 10-year $2.4 billion development plan, part of which are ambitious road developments. Shem Oirere reports Ethiopia is hastening its pace towards accessing a share of the East Africa commodity market and opening itself up for foreign investment through the implementation of an ambitious road development strategy, the Road Sector Development Programme (RSDP). The landlocked nation has convinced a number of international lenders of the viability of RSDP, with some of them now loosening
  • US highway bill finally receives approval by government
    September 27, 2012
    After a long series of delays, the US Government has finally managed to agree the latest highway reauthorisation bill. This comes after numerous short term extensions of the previous bill, due to political stalemate. The short term extensions were not sufficient to allow firms to invest and this situation stunted construction activity in the country. With the bill now in place, contractors will be able to look forward to some transport spending, and will likely increase spending on replacing old constructio
  • Progress on Vietnam US$2bn transport infrastructure projects
    July 17, 2012
    Two major transport infrastructure projects in Vietnam with a combined value of more than US$2billion are a step closer to completion. A tender to appoint a contractor for the US$1.47billion Danang-Quang Ngai highway development has been published by Vietnam Expressway Corp (VEC).