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California Business Roundtable
Infrastructure

Traffic, delays, congestion and potholes are synonymous with California's infrastructure. Our parents and grandparents built a complex network of highways, ports and airports that helped California become one of the world's leading economies, but those resources have long been outpaced by the state's phenomenal economic and population growth. California's infrastructure requires a commitment from this generation similar in scope to that which was made in the 1950s.

Highways
Despite a 50 percent increase in population and miles driven over the past 20 years, California has only increased lane capacity on its highways by seven percent. And according to the census bureau, California ranks 48th in investment in highways and 40th in overall infrastructure investment based on personal income. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) found a ten-year total for unmet transportation needs of $117 billion.

Airports
Californians rely on air travel for business and vacation travel. Business also relies heavily on these airports for the transportation of cargo. The state's major airports are working beyond capacity with little room for expansion. With dramatic growth predicted over the next 20 years, California must ensure efficient air travel and cargo transport by expanding airports and building regional airports to distribute the influx of passengers and cargo. This is true even considering the impact of the events of September 11.

Ports
California businesses still rely heavily on shipping and ports to transport manufactured goods. New technology and bigger ships are constantly requiring ports to upgrade facilities and dredge deeper channels for boats. At $194 billion in 1997, international trade through California ports is vital to our economy. The state must make port facilities and land access via rail and highways a priority if California is to remain a leading national and international economy.

There is an overwhelming number of infrastructure needs and limited resources for those projects. The California Business Roundtable is committed to rebuilding California's infrastructure in order to help to provide future generations with the basics necessary for a prosperous economy and state. Some of the approaches to infrastructure development promoted by the California Business Roundtable include:

  • Prioritization of capital facilities needs through the approval of a state capital facilities plan;
  • Expansion of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank;
  • Transportation projects that reduce congestion and include toll roads, contracting out and developer funding where appropriate;
  • Development of a "pay as you go" funding source for infrastructure projects;
  • Prudent use of state general obligation bonds as a major funding source for public facilities needs.

The California Business Roundtable will continue to raise the profile of the debate over infrastructure improvement and exercise leadership in identifying viable, long-term solutions.

California's Five Year Infrastructure Plan - 2006

Economic Impact of Funding State's Transportation Infrastructure

California Infrastructure Coalition

 



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