Public Sets Low Priority for Improving Transportation Infrastructure

A new survey of the American people from the Pew Research Center ranks the priorities of the public on matters like the deficit, healthcare, and crime. Bringing up the rear of public concern: infrastructure and global warming.

1 minute read

January 27, 2014, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Us High Speed Rail System

Alfred Twu / FirstCultural

The headline for the Pew Research Center’s new public poll is about the slip in concern over the nation’s deficit, but buried in the data is indication of the relative lack of concern of the public over the state of the nation’s bridges, roads, and public transportation systems.

The poll, which asks the public to rate their top priority for the president and Congress each year, places “Improving roads, bridges, and public transit” at 39 percent—18th on the list and tied with “Dealing with moral breakdown.” The concern over transportation infrastructure did jump 9 percent from 2013 to 2014. 

Another sector of infrastructure concern, “the nation’s energy problem,” ranked 13th at 45 percent. In another show of indifference, only 29 percent of respondents listed global warming among their priorities.

As for the historic trends of the public’s prioritization for infrastructure and global warming, Pew added questions on these subjects well into the 13-year tradition of the poll. The first results for infrastructure were posted in 2011, and the first results for global warming were released in 2007.

Monday, January 27, 2014 in Pew Research Center

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City