Paul Yarossi

U.S. investment in transportation infrastructure falls far behind that of China, Brazil, Russia and European nations. According to a 2010, bipartisan panel of experts co-chaired by former U.S. Secretaries of Transportation, Norman Mineta and Samuel Skinner, the panel's report, “Well Within Reach: America’s New Transportation Agency,” stated that failure to adequately maintain and invest in our transportation systems means not only gridlocked roads and deteriorating bridges in the near term, but a steady erosion of the social and economic foundations for American prosperity in the long run.

China spends 9 percent of its gross domestic product on infrastructure. Europe and India invest 5 percent. In the United States, we spend less than 3 percent of our GDP on infrastructure when transportation is estimated to be as much as 18 percent of the economy. Does that make sense to anyone?

A dedicated, reliable funding stream is needed to allow states to plan for large multi-year projects. States are required by the federal government to develop long-term tr

To me, investing in the nation’s modern transportation system is the definition of good federal spending.

It’s a lifeline, creating jobs, driving economic growth, enhancing security and making the United States more competitive. Through the Highway Trust Fund users have provided the revenues necessary to improve the facilities they use and those revenuesprovide a positive return to the users and the overall economy.

Current proposals don’t address the primary issue we face: Our country will be best served with a long-term, dedicated and sustainable funding mechanism.

A one-time transfer of war savings out of the general revenue is welcomed as a stop gap measure, but it’s not a solution. And it sets a precedent.

The firewall around the Highway Trust Fund was established for good reason. That guarantees road users pay for the infrastructure they use. What’s more American or free-market focused than that?

Yet, there hasn’t been an increase in revenue for 19 years. It’s difficult for any organization to m

As the current jobs and funding debate has developed, many, including myself, have come to realize America needs an alternative approach to persuade elected officials to support transportation infrastructure. It’s time to change the conversation from “the sky is falling” and focus on what the return on investment in infrastructure will be. The conversation should change from only the cost, to emphasize the return on the investment.

Some of America’s greatest political leaders have understood how a strong infrastructure system creates jobs, promotes economic development and advances America’s competitiveness in the international marketplace. Whether it was Thomas Jefferson and the nation’s early canals, Abraham Lincoln and the transcontinental railroad, or Dwight Eisenhower and the Interstate Highway System, they understood such investments provide an outstanding return.

Today’s elected officials – and all Americans – need to appreciate how much infrastructure contributes to our nation’s economy and prosper

Multimodalism can move U.S. to greater economic strength and competitiveness

As gas prices rise for a second time in three years, we must find a way to minimize the impacts of pump prices on our economy and regain control of our mobility.

But how? The answer lies in multimodalism. Multimodalism is a system of transportation diversity that offers Americans choice. Without it, we are at greater risk of having our economy and our mobility dictated by others.

Multimodalism requires us to look at transportation as one, integrated system versus independent sectors. For the past 60 years, we have viewed transportation creation and funding independently by sector – highway, aviation, mass transit, rail. It’s time to find a new combined approach.

Creating a plan that integrates all modes of transportation begins with the next transportation authorization bill, which is under way in Congress. Now is the time to influence that legislation and create a long-term funding solution for a national multimodal transportation system