A report released today by the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP), Setting the Record Straight: Transit, Fixing Roads and Bridges Offer Greatest Jobs Gains, found that investments in road and bridge repair create 9 percent more jobs per dollar than building new roads or bridges. In addition, for public transportation, job creation jumps to 19 percent more than the figure for new road and bridge projects. The full report is available online at www.transact.org.
”This report will help make the case to Congress as it begins debate on renewal of TEA-21 that when it comes to job creation, investing in new public transportation, and repairing roads and bridges, creates significantly more jobs per dollar invested than does spending only on new highways," said Anne Canby, president of STPP. "As our findings demonstrate, balanced investment in transportation is not only good public policy but a good deal for America's workers."
"Over the last decade, research repeatedly has demonstrated that public investment in new road projects has come at the expense of needed repairs to the existing transportation system. This report is yet another call for wiser use of public investment," added Canby.
Congress is scheduled to begin debate next week on legislation to renew the nation's surface transportation law (TEA-21) that could provide more than $300 billion for transportation infrastructure. While much public debate has focused on the bill's job creation potential, STPP's report shows that investing in public transportation and fixing existing bridges and roads will create more jobs per dollar. Findings include:
· Investments in public transportation create nearly 51,300 jobs for every $1.25 billion invested, compared to 43,200 jobs for the same amount spent on new road and bridge projects.
· Road and bridge repair and maintenance create just over 47,000 jobs for every $1.25 billion invested. Contrast that with 43,200 jobs created when $1.25 billion is spent on new road or bridge capacity.
· Safety projects create 48,300 jobs for every $1.25 billion spent. Spending on "environment-related" transportation projects including wetland mitigation, noise barrier construction, and air quality programs generate the greatest number of jobs at 51,200 for every $1.25 billion spent.
STPP's report updates figures from a Cambridge Systematics Inc. report commissioned by the American Public Transportation Association, and also uses results from JOBMOD, an economic model developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in conjunction with Boston University and Battelle Memorial Institute that allows the user to evaluate more than a dozen different transportation project types.
About the Surface Transportation Policy Project Based in Washington, D.C., the Surface Transportation Policy Project is a diverse, nationwide coalition working to ensure safer communities and smarter transportation choices that enhance the economy, improve public health, promote social equity, and protect the environment. For more information please visit www.transact.org or www.tea3.org.