[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 6, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2712-S2713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CARPER (for himself, Mr. Voinovich, Mrs. Clinton, and Mr. 
        Coleman):
  S. 775. A bill to establish a National Commission on the 
Infrastructure of the United States; to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I join my good friend, Sen. George 
Voinovich, in introducing a bill to study the current state and future 
needs of our national infrastructure, including rail, airports, 
wastewater

[[Page S2713]]

treatment facilities, waterways and levees.
  The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that $1.6 trillion 
is needed over a five-year period to bring the Nation's infrastructure 
to a good condition. Clearly, we need to look at our needs and find a 
better way to maintain the infrastructure we have, while meeting new 
demand--all in a way that is fiscally sustainable.
  Last Congress, during the debate about the surface transportation 
reauthorization, we discussed the problems facing our roadways. Poor 
road conditions cost U.S. motorists $54 billion per year in repairs and 
operating costs and 3.5 billion hours a year in traffic. Over 27 
percent of the Nation's bridges are structurally deficient or 
functionally obsolete. While transit use increased faster than any 
other mode of transportation--up 21 percent--between 1993 and 2002, the 
Federal Transit Administration estimates $14.8 billion is needed 
annually to maintain conditions.
  In Delaware, while population growth grew a robust 23 percent from 
1990 to 2003, vehicle travel on our highways increased 38 percent. And 
driving on roads in need of repair cost Delaware motorists $160 million 
a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating costs. To take a look at 
what must be done to maintain our highways and transit as well as 
address future needs, and ways to pay for all of that, Congress created 
a commission to study these issues in SAFETEA-LU and report back to 
Congress with recommendations.
  But there are more types of infrastructure in need of attention than 
just highways and transit. Air travel has reportedly surpassed pre-
September 11, 2001, levels and is projected to grow 4.3 percent 
annually through 2015. Aging wastewater management systems discharge 
billions of gallons of untreated sewage into U.S. surface waters each 
year. And the EPA estimates that $390 billion over the next 20 years 
will be needed to replace existing systems and build new ones to meet 
increasing demands.
  Further, limited rail capacity has created significant chokepoints 
and delays, as freight rail tonnage is expected to increase at least 50 
percent by 2020 and intercity passenger rail ridership has increased to 
approximately 25 million a year. To accommodate both freight and 
passenger rail demand, $12-13 billion a year in investments will be 
needed.
  After Hurricane Katrina led to the failure of floodwalls in New 
Orleans, Congress asked the Corps of Engineers to inspect other flood 
control structures to identify other repair needs. The Corps found that 
146 levees in 28 States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are 
in danger of failing.
  In Delaware, vehicle travel on our highways has increased 38 percent 
from 1990 to 2003, costing Delaware motorists $160 million a year in 
extra vehicle repairs and operating costs--$273 per motorist. Delaware 
also has $304 million in drinking water infrastructure needs over the 
next 20 years and $288 million in wastewater infrastructure needs.
  Understanding the problem and plotting a plan of attack are essential 
for attracting and maintaining business and investment in our economy 
and communities. The legislation we are proposing today would give the 
National Commission on the Infrastructure of the United States until 
February 15, 2009, to complete a study of the Nation's infrastructure, 
in consultation with the appropriate Federal, State and local agencies 
as well as private sector stakeholders. The Commission would study the 
age and condition of public infrastructure, the capacity to sustain 
current and anticipated economic development, the methods used to 
finance public infrastructure, and the return to the economy from 
public works investment.
  Many times, when we debate infrastructure needs, people simply call 
for additional funds. Unfortunately, the taxpayer is losing confidence 
in the way we invest their tax dollars. Failures, like the floodwalls 
in New Orleans, harm confidence in the government's ability to protect 
communities from natural disasters. The fact that we've made no changes 
to the Corps' flood control program in the wake of that catastrophic 
failure has further damaged government credibility.
  Increasing traffic in spite of the investment of billions of dollars 
every year in highways and bridges reduces confidence in government's 
ability to address traffic congestion. Failure to invest in rail while 
both freight usage and passenger ridership is at all time highs makes 
the taxpayer doubt that government is spending their tax dollars 
according to the needs of the people.
  Part of the solution is, likely, greater funding. But the American 
people need to be confident in the products we provide before they are 
going to sign a check for more funding. That is why the Commission will 
study innovative financing, such as tax-credit bonds and private 
investment. But also, the Commission will study the impact of State and 
local governments' land use and economic development decisions on 
Federal infrastructure costs, and provide Congress with some insight as 
to how the various levels of government can better coordinate to gain 
greater efficiencies from our infrastructure investment.
  Stronger coordination, greater investment and creativity are the keys 
to maintaining our infrastructure and investing in future needs--as 
well as a healthy and robust economy. I look forward to guidance from 
this Commission as to how Congress can better do just that.
                                 ______