The High Cost of Status Quo Infrastructure

Infrastructure costs are towering in the U.S., but much of that could be because of old habits in road building. This column looks at how cities and states can reduce their infrastructure costs.

1 minute read

August 23, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg

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."

FULL STORY: Infrastructure Whistle-Blowing

Friday, August 19, 2011 in Citiwire

Government / Politics Infrastructure Land Use Transportation United States Roads Road Building View More

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