The state of our nation’s infrastructure is in disarray. Roads and bridges are crumbling, too many cities don’t have adequate public transportation, and when they do, its in serious need of repair. Our country is one of the only developed nations in the world that doesn’t have high-speed rail. That needs to change.

Our country needs to prioritize mass transit in highly populated areas. Movement between cities needs to be more than a choice of air travel or your private automobile. For too long, the airlines have lobbied against improving mass transit. They spent almost $29 Million alone in 2024!

There are several solutions that can help address our nation’s failing infrastructure and raise the funds necessary to improve mass transit.

• Prioritize creation of a high-speed rail (200mph and up) that can link metro areas. Examples of ideal lines would be Los Angeles to San Francisco, LA to Las Vegas, Chicago to Minneapolis, Chicago to Detroit, and the entire northeast corridor (DC all the way up to Boston, including Philadelphia, & New York City).

• Offer additional federal funding for mass transit projects located in metro areas that implement congestion pricing. Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington DC are the cities at the top of the list who already have public transit systems in place that could alleviate some congestion

• To help finance additional infrastructure projects, the Department of Transportation needs to make the projects attractive to private investment. Public/private investments are the only way that we can truly re-build our nations crumbling infrastructure.

We also need infrastructure that prioritizes the right mode of transit, depending on where you are. Whether you like to hear it or not, your personal vehicle is not always the most efficient mode of transportation. In a rural, or mostly suburban setting, it probably is. But when you’re in Chicago, NYC, or other major city, mass transit is the most efficient way to move around the city. We need to properly fund public transportation while repairing roads in areas where it is the most effective mode of transportation.

In addition to mass transit, road repairs, and bridge repairs, town centers and areas where were crowds of pedestrians congregate, need to be re-imagined. We need to design roads that truly service all people, not just those in their car. The most efficient way to move people in congested areas isn’t one more lane for cars.

It’s this.

Part of enhancing our nation’s infrastructure is building roads, but also enhancing the communities that we live in. Neighborhoods and communities that are walkable, or have easy access to shops, restaurants, bars, & nightlife are the best barometer for a local economy’s success.

We need to stop labeling one side as anti-car, or anti-mass transit. We need to understand that what may be great in one scenario, such as a car on a country road, isn’t as good in an urban setting.

This is one of the more critical issues that faces our nation.

Road Capacity