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Abstract
Prepared for the American Society of Civil Engineers by Economic Development Research Group, Inc.
Each report in the Failure to Act series provides an objective analysis of the economic implications for the United States of its continued underinvestment in infrastructure. Reports in the series assess the implications of present trends in infrastructure investment for the productivity of industries, national competitiveness, and the costs for households. Analysis considers both the building of new infrastructure to meet increasing population and expanded economic activity and the maintenance or rebuilding of existing infrastructure that needs repair or replacement.
An update to the previous overview, Failure to Act: The Impact of Infrastructure Investment on America’s Economic Future, this report shows how the nation’s inability to invest adequately in repairs or upgrades to deteriorating infrastructure is hampering U.S. economic growth. The baseline national economic model was adjusted to reflect new data on infrastructure needs and gaps. The result shows that inadequate infrastructure leads to higher costs for businesses and families. It describes the long-term consequences of inaction in several key areas: surface transportation, water and wastewater, electricity, airports, and inland waterways and marine ports.