Back in August, I wrote about the basic meaning of the term ‘infrastructure’, why it is needed, and why costs for infrastructure projects continue to rise. In that article, I mentioned that the topic of America’s infrastructure is at the forefront of the issues being discussed in this year’s campaign for the general election by both candidates.
As I’ve watched, listened, and read about both candidates’ plans to restore America’s infrastructure, one thing has become crystal clear to me—either one or both of the candidates are wrong about how much money is needed to repair America’s infrastructure.
Clinton's Plan for Infrastructure
Hillary Clinton is proposing to spend $275 billion over the next five years on infrastructure. Some of that $275 billion, according to Secretary Clinton, will be used to establish a Federal Infrastructure Bank that will provide start-up financing, loan guarantees and long-term loans for large-scale public projects.
Creating this bank will cost approximately $25 billion, so the real dollar amount available to invest in infrastructure projects under Secretary Clinton’s plan is $250 billion. Secretary Clinton plans to leverage the $25 billion being used to start the Federal Infrastructure Bank to support up to an additional $225 billion in direct loans, loan guarantees, and other forms of credit enhancement.
In all, her plan would add $500 billion to infrastructure funding over the next five years.
Trump's Take on Infrastructure
Now on to the Republican nominee, Donald Trump’s plan is not quite as detailed as Secretary Clinton’s. Trump has been quoted several times, in many different publications, saying that we really need “at least double” what Secretary Clinton has proposed to spend on infrastructure.
So, basically, Donald Trump is suggesting that we need to spend upwards of $1 trillion to repair America’s infrastructure. He says, “We will build the next generation of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, sea ports and airports that our country deserves.”
Infrastructure and Real Numbers
Big numbers and big plans are impressive, but I’m a big believer in the old adage “Numbers don’t lie.” So, let’s look at some numbers — some real numbers – for a couple categories of our nation’s infrastructure.
Building and Expanding Airports
Currently, there are at least five airport projects in the U.S. that are either under construction or in planning and are valued at more than $1 billion. They are:
- Orlando International Airport – $1.1 billion
- Los Angeles International Airport – $8.5 billion (started in 2006)
- LaGuardia Airport – $4 billion
- Nashville International Airport – $1.2 billion
- Hartsfield-Jackson (Atlanta) – $6 billion
Total for airport expansions/renovations: $20.8 billion
Building Roads, Bridges and Tunnels
Currently, there are at least five roadway and bridge projects in the U.S. that are under construction and are valued at more than $1 billion. They are:
- I-66 (Virginia) – $2.1 billion
- Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement – $4 billion
- Alaskan Way Viaduct– $4.25 billion
- I-69 Extension (Indiana) – $1.8 billion
- Ohio River Bridges Project – $4.1 billion
Total for roads/bridges/tunnels: $16.25 billion
Not included in this list is California’s high speed rail system, which alone will cost at least $68 billion by the time it’s completed – the project is currently in planning.
These two categories alone account for almost $37 billion in Infrastructure spending, and if the California High Speed Rail System moves forward, that number will jump to over $100 billion.
Is Either Candidate Right?
While both candidates agree there's a need to invest federal money into infrastructure, they present quite different numbers. There is another opinion on the issue and that is that both candidates have miscalculated what is needed to revive the infrastructure in our country.
In an article published on trucks.com, Chairman of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Infrastructure Committee, Greg DiLoreto, said, “The nation’s ‘economic backbone’ is suffering.” In May, Greg’s group said the nation must spend $1 trillion more than the $941 billion already planned to build and repair roads, bridges and rail systems over the next decade. This is without even mentioning airports.
On the other end of the spectrum is the view that the federal government shouldn’t be meddling in the affairs of our infrastructure system at all. There are many proponents of letting each state care for its portion of the National Infrastructure. For example, the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey is replacing the Goethels Bridge – a bridge that supports both New York and New Jersey traffic.
Closing Thoughts, More Questions
It’s impossible for me to dissect each presidential candidate’s infrastructure plan in a single blog post. This investigation brought me to more questions instead of answers. Further to the point, we can't really get to the bottom of their respective numbers since neither candidate’s website (hillaryclinton.com or donaldjtrump.com) lists the names of any advisors who have helped shape their respective plans. We don't really know where they're getting their numbers.
I started researching this post posing the question, “Whose numbers are correct?” Now my question is: “Who is coming up with these numbers?” If I can get to the bottom of that one, I'll be asking, ”How did you come up with that number?” As with any election, only time will tell. November 8th will be here before you know it—don’t forget to vote!
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Image source: Wikipedia
