US infrastructure spending to benefit from state initiatives

US infrastructure spending looks set to benefit from state initiatives.
By MJ Woof November 17, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Transport infrastructure will benefit from new funding in many US states - image © courtesy of Mike Woof
Up to 18 states in the US will see major infrastructure developments following moves to ensure funding. An analysis by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) highlights the move. This shows that voters in 18 states have approved a record 94% of state and local ballot initiatives to date, providing an additional US$14 billion in one-time and recurring revenue for transportation improvements.

Results are still pending for 13 measures, but the analysis by ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (ARTBA-TIAC) indicates voters approved 303 of 322 initiatives, the highest approval rate in the 20 years ARTBA has been tracking initiatives.
 
“More than ever before, these results prove that improving transportation infrastructure is something Americans voters strongly support,” said ARTBA senior vice president and chief economist Dr Alison Black.

Arkansas voters approved the renewal of a half-cent sales tax increase. The measure, originally approved by voters in 2012, is projected to raise approximately $205 million annually for state highways and $44 million annually for localities.

In Austin, Texas, more than two-thirds of voters endorsed a $7.1 billion transportation bond. Revenue raised by the bond offering will fund the initial and ongoing costs of Project Connect, a transit plan anchored by two high-capacity light rail lines serving the city’s densest neighbourhoods.

Historically, most transportation measures are placed on the ballot in even-numbered years when congressional or presidential elections drive higher turnout. This year, the impacts of COVID-19 caused several notable measures to be dropped. These included measures in the California’s Bay Area, Sacramento, and Riverside counties that were expected to raise over $100 billion in revenue over the next 40 years. Proponents are expected to try again in the next election cycle.

The approved 2020 measures will support $12.7 billion in new transportation investment revenue and $1.3 billion in continued funding through tax extensions, renewals or protections.
Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • America: on the brink of better road asset management
    February 23, 2015
    It’s make or break time for highways maintenance in the United States, according to Greg Cohen, head of the American Highways Users’ Alliance, speaking at the Pavement Preservation and Recycling Summit in Paris today. What happens in the next year will make the difference between a decade of continuing crumbling road infrastructure or a renaissance in America’s highways, he told delegates attending the first day’s afternoon plenary session. All state governments must submit a road asset management plan to t
    Read More
  • New US toll road regulation criticised
    April 10, 2012
    High road toll increases bring threat of new regulation in US - *Bob Poole reports. Large toll rate increases have been implemented recently by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, justified in part to help pay for its World Trade Center project. In response, a bill was introduced in Congress that would allow the Secretary of Transportation to regulate tolls on every bridge on the country's Interstates and other federally aided highways.
    Read More
  • US increased transportation budget proposals
    July 12, 2012
    IRF's Washington Programme Centre provides an update on some latest developments in the 2010 Budget plan There has been further recent action from both Congress and the White House on budget plans that will guide the Transportation Reauthorization Bill for the next six years. On 7 May, President Obama proposed large increases for rail and highways in his 2010 Budget plan, including the largest amount of funding that any President has sought for Amtrak, or for the development of high-speed rail in the Unite
    Read More
  • US increased transportation budget proposals
    July 12, 2012
    IRF's Washington Programme Centre provides an update on some latest developments in the 2010 Budget plan There has been further recent action from both Congress and the White House on budget plans that will guide the Transportation Reauthorization Bill for the next six years. On 7 May, President Obama proposed large increases for rail and highways in his 2010 Budget plan, including the largest amount of funding that any President has sought for Amtrak, or for the development of high-speed rail in the United
    Read More

Highlighted Content