10 January 2009

Shovel Ready Shmovel Ready

With the latest round of "stimulus" headed for all of the "shovel ready" projects in cities across the US, I can't help but remain skeptical that those dollars are really being spent in the most useful way. I mean, sure we have billions of dollars of possible road expansions, paving projects, etc. etc. (and I understand that serious attention is needed for our bridges, levees and other important "connectors."

But, are we really going to tout the efficiency, convenience and city-altering positives of mass-transit while completely abandoning that important infrastructure investment because it is not a "shovel ready" project?

The Mayor of Minneapolis--of crumbling bridge fame says it well in the 12/13 Washington Post's Stimulus Package To First Pay for Routine Repairs:

"The quickest things we can do may not be the ones that have the most significant long-term impact on the green economy," he said. "Unless we push a transit investment, this will end up being a stimulus package that rebalances our transportation strategy toward roads and away from [what] we need to get off our addiction to oil."

Why not also consider projects that put the city/transportation planners, architects, engineers, contractors and, eventually, construction workers to work on mass-transit projects that have proven the ability to revitalize blighted areas, encourages real estate development, attracts Fortune 500 companies & young professionals and transforms cities?

I fear that our short-sighted haste will cause us to lose sight of the important infrastructure investment needed to bridge the gap into the 21st century. The failing automakers need more roads, and they've already gotten their first bailout. Let's not let this be their second...Public transportation needs it.