Obama's Infrastructure Plan Targets Roads, Railways and Runways

President Obama has announced plans to spend an additional $50 billion on the nation's infrastructure as a means of remaining competitive internationally and boosting employment.

1 minute read

October 14, 2010, 7:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley


Based on advice in a report released by the Treasury Department and Council of Economic Advisers, which argued that the state of country's infrastructure was preventing the U.S. from being competitive globally, President Obama is pushing for new federal investments in roads, railways and runways.

"[Obama's] plan calls for rebuilding 150,000 miles of roads - 'enough to circle the world six times' - laying and maintaining 4,000 miles of railways, restoring 150 miles of airport runways and advancing a new air-traffic control system. Obama said...that America's outdated highway, air and rail systems are taking a toll on the economy in lost productivity."

The article points out that, with midterm elections only weeks away, there is little chance his plan will be taken up by Congress this year, and likely faces opposition from many Republicans.

Monday, October 11, 2010 in McClatchey Newspapers

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