Editorial: If You Build It, They Will Come

This Editorial appears in the May 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.

When it comes to spending big to keep goods moving, we are in the midst of a stretch that includes some important talk — and some important action.

Yes, that starts with Infrastructure Week, the nationwide initiative running May 15-19 and during which various stakeholders will discuss the need to upgrade the nation’s roads and bridges — and the possible ways to get it done. We applaud organizers for devoting many days’ worth of attention to the issue and laud all participants for giving of their time and expertise to elevate awareness of this glaring national need.

That includes Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who was slated to speak at a May 15 kickoff event in Washington. Rumors of an Infrastructure Week appearance from her boss were unconfirmed as of Transport Topics’ press time.

Regardless, the Trump administration’s goal for infrastructure spending is well-known — a 10-year, $1 trillion plan to fix the nation’s roads and bridges. Details had not been outlined prior to Infrastructure Week, but watchers were hoping to hear more — from Chao or, perhaps, President Trump himself — about how that money might be spent.

Most in trucking agree that money would be well-spent, as it will improve motor carriers’ ability to keep goods moving. And congressional leaders who will allocate those funds might do well to peer southeast for an example of the benefits of investing in infrastructure.

On May 8, the largest-ever containership to call on an East Coast seaport arrived at the Port of Virginia. The Cosco Development — 1,200 feet long and 158 feet wide — passed through the expanded Panama Canal, which is now capable of handling such a large ship thanks to a massive expansion project that was completed about a year ago. It was headed next to Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C.

To be sure, there were times when that Panama Canal expansion effort must have seemed daunting, perhaps even impossible. But it got done. And it’s paying off.

We have a week to talk about doing the same for America’s roads. By the end of that week, let’s hope we all have a clearer idea of how to turn that vision into reality.