23
On the recovery trail
REGIONAL REPORT: NORTH AMERICA
september 2013
international
construction
added that a further US$ 50 billion per year could
be spent on projects whose benefits outweighed their
costs.
Funding for roads has clearly fallen behind what is
required over the last few decades and there would
be a wider economic benefit in upping investment.
However, a long-term solution is a long way off –
not because of disagreements over the need to fund
highways, but over how to fund them.
Al Cervero, vice president of the US-based
Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
said, “We had a stimulus package which was great,
but it was a flash in the pan. The challenge is that the
Highway Bill has no political will to move forward
unless someone can come up with a funding method.
There have already been something like 200 funding
mechanisms put forward.
“We have been told that there is not going to be a
Highway Bill unless it is coupled to numerous other
bills – what is called the ‘grand bill’, and in the current
political climate, that doesn’t look like it’s moving forward.”
In the broadest sense, there are only a few places funds could
come from. One option would be some sort of tax increase,
such as increasing fuel duty or taxes on new vehicle sales, while
others could include raising funds from the private sector,
through public-private partnership (PPP)-style concessions and
franchises, or through the tolling of existing roads and other ‘user
pays’ mechanisms.
But while the list of options in their basic form may be short,
there does not seem to be the political will in Washington for a
decision to be made on any of this.
It is an issue that has no quick solution. So while the US
construction market is picking-up, many would argue the
situation could be a good deal better.
iC
Albert Marine Construction used an 80 tonne
capacity Manitowoc 8500-1 for clean-up work in
the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The crawler crane
was used for piling work to rebuild the mile-long
(1.6 km) Lavallette Boardwalk on the Jersey
Shore.
BUILDING WITH CONFIDENCE.
100%
MADE IN
ITALY
