Instead of doubling down on the unsustainable planning and building practices, the current crisis offers a chance to hit reset, according to this article.
Tony Dutzik writes:
Sports seasons are suspended. Concerts and public gatherings are canceled. Millions of us are cooped up at home trying to stay healthy and stay sane.
But the work of teeing up the next generation of boondoggle highway projects doesn’t stop – not even for a global pandemic.
While some are mobilizing to spend on public health, public transit, or clean energy projects in connection with federal stimulus efforts, others are turning to highway projects, reports Dutzik.
The American Highway Users Alliance and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recently put out similar requests for emergency relief for state transportation agencies and the reauthorization of the main federal transportation law. AASHTO’s request called for $50 billion in funding to last through the end of fiscal 2021 and a doubling of spending over the next six years in reauthorization of the federal transportation law.
Dtuzik's purpose in the article is to call for a pause on new highway projects and a shift toward maintenance of existing roads and highways. "The global pandemic has forced us all to call 'time out' on all sorts of things that are non-essential. The same principle should apply to activities that are not only not essential, but are actively harmful. Boondoggle highway projects fit the bill."
Read the full story: Call "time out" on highway boondoggles
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