Changing the 'How' and the 'What' in Infrastructure Spending

When it comes to infrastructure, we are frequently reminded of the consequences of not repairing roads and bridges. Two prolific transportation writers recently changed the focus to where the money is spent.

2 minute read

February 17, 2015, 1:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Eric Jaffe of CityLab and Angie Schmitt of Streetsblog USA analyze Smart Growth America (SGA)'s "Repair Priorities 2014" report for their respective publications. The report itself is an update of SGA's 2011 report.

"The numbers tell the story best," writes Jaffe. "From 2004 to 2008, states dedicated just 43 percent of their road budgets to maintain existing roads despite the fact that they made up nearly 99 percent of the road system. The other 1 percent—new construction—got more than half the money."

From 2009 to 2011 states did only marginally better, spending 55 percent of their road money ($20.4 billion) on expansion and just 45 percent on maintenance ($16.5 billion).

However, sometimes new, costly construction over less expensive maintenance is justified, particularly when it comes to replacing structurally deficient bridges. Case in point, "the decaying Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, a mere 'dozen blocks from the dome of the U.S. Capitol'," as noted here recently. "[The occasional] falling concrete from the bridge poses a threat only to the fish in the Anacostia River below."

The bridge is also the first of "seven big infrastructure projects that are on the verge of collapse" described in the Vice Magazine article referenced Schmitt as an introduction to her insightful piece.

It's not as if the bridge hasn't been maintained. "In 2007, the bridge was closed from July 6 to August 29 for a $27 million renovation project meant to extend its life for 20 years," according to Wikipedia. Ashley Halsey III wrote in Dec. 2012 that it "needs to be replaced, at a cost of almost $661 million in a project with an overall price tag of $906 million." However, going from four to six lanes, as the plan notes, seems like it will only invite more driving as well as additional expense. But bike critics might say the same thing about the improvement to bike and pedestrian facilities.

Streetsblog USA's Angie Schmitt sees the problem of new construction vs. maintenance as symptomatic of a greater problem. "The system is set up to funnel the vast majority of spending through state departments of transportation, and those agencies have an absolutely terrible track record when it comes to making smart long-term decisions," she writes. "As long as state DOTs retain unfettered control of the money, potholed roads and decrepit bridges will remain the norm."

This is not a new theme for Schmitt. In 2011, she questioned the purpose of increasing Missouri's gas tax if it was only going to finance the I-70 expansion and other expensive, highway-widening projects, as we noted here.

Thursday, February 12, 2015 in CityLab

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Western U.S. indicating public lands that would be for sale under a Senate plan in yellow and green.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands

For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

June 19, 2025 - Outdoor Life

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1 - KQED

Tents inhabited by unhoused people lined up on sidewalk in Los Angeles, California in front of industrial building.

California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling

An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.

July 1 - Times of San Diego

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.