'Window of Opportunity' for Infrastructure

Neal Peirce takes a hopeful look at President-elect Barack Obama's willingness to invest in infrastructure.

1 minute read

December 8, 2008, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity, driven by a popular president-elect, to mount a massive national infrastructure rebuilding program."

"There's no doubt we need it: estimates of our deferred spending on roads, bridges, rail lines, transit, schools, water and sewer systems run into the trillions of dollars. Other nations are racing ahead of us on issues like high speed rail, critical in a post-carbon era. Our long-term global competitiveness is at stake."

"What a change! No administration of the last four decades has had the courage to challenge the country to step up to the plate, to support really serious infrastructure reinvestment for our future."

"But the next stimulus package–perhaps $700 billion, backed by President-elect Obama and a good bet to get swift congressional passage once he's sworn in, provides an ideal vehicle."

Monday, December 8, 2008 in Citiwire

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

November 11, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A road in north eastern Nebraska with power lines on either side, and grassy fields.

Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity

Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.

November 6, 2026 - Grist

People walking and cycling on a street in Boston.

Study reveals best places in the U.S. for cycling, walking

New research from Streetlight Data examines bicycle and pedestrian miles per capita in the 100 largest U.S. cities by population.

November 8, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Mamdani speaks behind a podium in a navy suit.

DSA members accuse Mamdani of 'abandoning values' over housing redevelopment

New York City's mayor plans to replace about 2,000 units of public housing with private, mixed-income housing.

4 hours ago - Gothamist

Streetview of Colorado boulevard, a multi-lane road with trees on either side.

All sides of BRT debate unhappy with CDOT’s most recent move

The Colorado Department of Transportation is no longer considering center-running bus lanes for Colorado Boulevard.

5 hours ago - 9 News

Solar panels above a cranberry boy, with workers collecting berries.

Massachusetts bogs generate both power, and cranberries

Putting solar panels above farmland is one way Massachusetts is advancing toward its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

6 hours ago - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.