Road Projects Spike, Transit Slows in 2022

The federal dollars that are making their way to infrastructure projects around the country are largely supporting highway and bridge projects as transit agencies struggling to finance day-to-day operations delay capital investments.

1 minute read

March 6, 2023, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Federal investments made during the pandemic are starting to reach states, but much of the funding is going to road building, writes Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive.

While contracts for road and bridge projects grew, contracts for rail and transit projects “slowed significantly,” with only 180 rail and transit contracts totaling $3.5 billion developed in 2022. By contrast, “The 38,220 contracts for roadway-related construction totaled $102.2 billion,” Zukowski explains. “In a separate ARTBA analysis of how infrastructure law highway and bridge funds had been used through Sep. 30, 2022, 46% went to roadway repair or reconstruction work while just 1% went to bike and pedestrian facilities.”

American Road & Transportation Builders Association Chief Economist Alison Premo Black points to the pandemic as one cause, saying “It’s not surprising that the capital investment has been scaled back while agencies have been so concerned about operations.” Transportation infrastructure spending is continuing to ramp up, with over 150 bills aimed at transportation projects introduced in state legislatures this year.

Friday, March 3, 2023 in Smart Cities Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

5 hours ago - Parking Reform Network

Blue tarps covering tents set up by unhoused people along chain link fence on concrete sidewalk.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work

Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

7 hours ago - Next City

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

July 6 - InTransition Magazine