Opinion > Editorials
Commentary: Economic prosperity through transportation
Alex Nelson
Arizonans are running on empty, and they're not alone. People all across the country are suffering because their transportation system - the backbone of our economy for decades - is broken. Our overdependence on oil and neglect of our roads has resulted in an overburdened and frail transportation system. The lack of transit options has left too many Arizonans stranded as gas prices rise and buying power falls. Despite these serious problems, leaders in both of our major political parties have failed to take serious action on transportation policy that will help reduce our dependence on oil and alleviate the pocketbooks of the Arizonans.
Investment in public transit infrastructure needs to be a key part of our economic recovery plan.
With high gas prices, decreasing household budgets and a lagging economy, we can strengthen our state and communities by building a 21st Century transportation system. By improving our transportation system, we can create jobs, save Arizonans money, reduce our dependence on oil, bring down Arizona's global warming emissions, and decrease air pollution and its adverse public health impacts such as asthma attacks.
The Arizona PIRG Education Fund recently joined with Transportation for America to advocate for a five-point plan to move us in a new direction. In order to save Arizonans money, create jobs, improve our energy security, and revitalize our communities, we need to do the following:
Build to Compete - We must catch and pass competitors in Asia and Europe by modernizing and expanding our rail and transit networks to reduce oil dependence and connecting the metro regions that are the engines of the modern economy.
Invest for a clean, green recovery - Our state and nation's clean-energy future will require cleaner vehicles and new fuels, but it also must include support for the cleanest forms of transportation - modern public transit, walking and biking - and for energy-efficient, sustainable development.
Fix what's broken - Before building new roads, that will themselves have to be maintained, we must restore our crumbling highways, bridges and transit systems.
Stop wasteful spending - Re-evaluate projects currently in the pipeline to eliminate those with little economic return that could deepen, rather than relieve, our oil dependence.
Save Americans money - Provide more transit options that are affordable and efficient, while helping people to avoid high gas costs and traffic congestion. Save taxpayer dollars by asking the private developers who reap real estate rewards from new rail stations and transit lines to contribute toward that service.
Acting on this five-point agenda has the potential to support 6.7 million jobs building $240 billion in ready-to-go rail and rapid bus projects in 78 metro areas; 14.8 million jobs over the next five years repairing crumbling bridges, roadways and transit systems by investing the $512 billion needed over to restore our aging system; reduce oil consumption; create financial savings for our families; and provide help for communities struggling with growth and congestion.
In every recent recession, Congress has invested in infrastructure to spur recovery. Our future prosperity requires investment in our infrastructure, and our tax base depends on it.
Government cannot do this alone. Business and civic leaders as well as individuals must share a commitment to getting our state and our nation moving again.
However, the next President, Congress, and Arizona decision makers can put us on the right path by committing to work together and adopt a bold plan that guarantees our transportation system produces the best returns for our economy, our pocketbooks, and our communities.
(Alex Nelson is with the Arizona PIRG Education Fund. The Arizona PIRG Education Fund conducts research and education on public interest issues. More information can be found at www.arizonapirg.org.)
Arizonans are running on empty, and they're not alone. People all across the country are suffering because their transportation system - the backbone of our economy for decades - is broken. Our overdependence on oil and neglect of our roads has resulted in an overburdened and frail transportation system. The lack of transit options has left too many Arizonans stranded as gas prices rise and buying power falls. Despite these serious problems, leaders in both of our major political parties have failed to take serious action on transportation policy that will help reduce our dependence on oil and alleviate the pocketbooks of the Arizonans.
Investment in public transit infrastructure needs to be a key part of our economic recovery plan.
With high gas prices, decreasing household budgets and a lagging economy, we can strengthen our state and communities by building a 21st Century transportation system. By improving our transportation system, we can create jobs, save Arizonans money, reduce our dependence on oil, bring down Arizona's global warming emissions, and decrease air pollution and its adverse public health impacts such as asthma attacks.
The Arizona PIRG Education Fund recently joined with Transportation for America to advocate for a five-point plan to move us in a new direction. In order to save Arizonans money, create jobs, improve our energy security, and revitalize our communities, we need to do the following:
Acting on this five-point agenda has the potential to support 6.7 million jobs building $240 billion in ready-to-go rail and rapid bus projects in 78 metro areas; 14.8 million jobs over the next five years repairing crumbling bridges, roadways and transit systems by investing the $512 billion needed over to restore our aging system; reduce oil consumption; create financial savings for our families; and provide help for communities struggling with growth and congestion.
In every recent recession, Congress has invested in infrastructure to spur recovery. Our future prosperity requires investment in our infrastructure, and our tax base depends on it.
Government cannot do this alone. Business and civic leaders as well as individuals must share a commitment to getting our state and our nation moving again.
However, the next President, Congress, and Arizona decision makers can put us on the right path by committing to work together and adopt a bold plan that guarantees our transportation system produces the best returns for our economy, our pocketbooks, and our communities.
(Alex Nelson is with the Arizona PIRG Education Fund. The Arizona PIRG Education Fund conducts research and education on public interest issues. More information can be found at www.arizonapirg.org.)
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