Infrastructure investment will create needed jobs and improve quality of life

Investing in New York's infrastructure - transportation, water and energy - is necessary for New York's future. Without these pieces in place, we will lag behind other states and other countries in their ability to provide the basic services for people and businesses. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) publishes their periodic Infrastructure Report Card and it confirms that New York needs to invest substantially more. A plan that injects $5 billion into the New York State economy, if done right, will create more than 150,000 jobs initially, and more than double that in spin-off economies and related service and material suppliers. This investment will also spin off new property tax, sales tax and income tax that will pay an immediate dividend of 10 to 20 percent - a great rate of return. The additional reduction of unemployed and uninsured will reduce other state and local obligations, and the newly employed population will likely spend in excess of $3 billion each year in consumer and related purchases. While improving the economy, this program will provide needed rehabilitation and improvements to our deteriorating infrastructure, which negatively impacts our health and impairs our ability to compete nationally and internationally. Our transportation infrastructure is an excellent example. Ninety-two percent of the $290 billion worth of commodities delivered from sites in New York is transported on state and local highways. Investing in the roads and bridges that comprise this critical network will help businesses deliver their products and residents to travel more safely and with fewer disruptions. Poor infrastructure costs New Yorkers more than $19.5 billion in medical expenses, lost productivity, and related workplace, insurance and legal expenses. With the right investments, New York can: * Save billions of gallons of water lost through inadequate pipes and antiquated distribution systems. * Reduce the more than $2 billon on repair and operating costs that New Yorkers spend related to poor roads. * Reduce commuter time, which has increased by an average of 20 minutes during rush hour in just the last 3 years! * Provide access to more reliable and cleaner energy that will reduce emissions, generate even more jobs, and establish New York as a pioneer and leader in this emerging field. There is no one way or correct way to fund this needed investment and we need to look at existing practices as well as new ones. Tolling, congestion pricing, vehicle mileage/fuel taxes are user based fees that should include at least some cost of living adjustments. Public Private Partnerships can attract private capital so that government can benefit from new projects without tying up their resources. Challenging times require bold leadership and vision. Action must be taken quickly and thoughtfully. Projects need to be started today, and next year's projects need to be planned and designed now. New York can create needed in-state jobs, and develop the necessary transportation, environmental, energy and business infrastructure that will create and attract jobs for the next century. Jay Simson, CAE, is president of ACEC New York.