Assessing the Infrastructure Bank Plan

National Journal asks its panel of transportation experts to weigh in on the $50 billion infrastructure bank plan recently announced by President Barack Obama.

1 minute read

September 14, 2010, 2:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"The White House didn't offer many funding specifics, but the initial $50 billion for the infrastructure bank would be offset by doing away with tax breaks for oil and gas companies.

What parts of this plan are you most excited about and most wary of? What will it do for the nation's unemployment problem? How should the bank's initial $50 billion be allocated among roads, rails and runways, and where should the money come from to pay for the rest of the plan? And when will Congress take up the proposal? Is bipartisan consensus possible on any part of it before or after the midterms?"

Many of the responses from the panel of experts applaud the move, though some take issue with the bank plan's lack of clearly defined goals.

Monday, September 13, 2010 in National Journal

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

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.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

May 18 - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

May 18 - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

May 18 - WHYY