CHALLENGES
Capacity, Constraints, and Impacting Factors Infrastructure challenges have been intensified by multiple factors. Aging pavements and bridges, along with limited federal revenue and uncertain funding timelines have created obstacles. Increased construction and operating costs, combined with a shortage of heavy construction contractors, have added to the strain. Rapid urban growth has surpassed existing traffic capacity and has been further intensified by underutilized transit services and unavailable passenger rail service. Additionally, property values, particularly in the southeastern region, have impacted the right‑of‑way costs. The State also struggles with recurrent issues of flooding, freezing, snow drifting, and other natural disasters, further impacting infrastructural resiliency.
Future Challenges To sustain or enhance the system, consistent and increased funding is necessary. Increased funding not only facilitates necessary maintenance, it also promotes the growth of contractor capacity and competition. Future traffic conditions heavily rely on the interaction between urban land use decisions and transportation system priorities. Without appropriate planning, property acquisition can swiftly become cost-prohibitive, posing an additional challenge to the overall infrastructure development. Existing Challenges Several issues with the existing infrastructure conditions are contributing to challenges in the road sector. There is a notable spike in construction inflation, which is affecting overall project costs. A shortage of contractor competition, particularly in rural areas, is further complicating the situation. A paradoxical situation arises concerning transit funding. It is challenging to advocate for funding when transit services are underutilized due to insufficient funding. The current infrastructure system also lacks the necessary resilience to effectively withstand and recover from natural disasters.
Infrastructure First Project
Roads | 69
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