The High Cost of Status Quo Infrastructure

Neal Peirce cites examples of places that are thinking more carefully about where roads are built and how.

"Growing numbers of hard-pressed counties - in Michigan, Alabama, Pennsylvania and other states - are actually "depaving," tearing up lightly-used asphalt rural roads and replacing them with gravel or other rough surfaces.

Other long-term, cost-saving strategies also exist for local governments. Examples: stop extending or improving roads for strip development. Focus on downtowns and neighborhood centers. Shift zoning to encourage mixed use instead of separated residential and commercial areas. And repeal sprawl inducements like minimum parking requirements for stores or apartment complexes."