Failing infrastructure weighing heavily on the economy

Crumbling U.S. infrastructure is slowing economic growth, according to a new index released on Sept. 23 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Transportation Performance Index is designed to show over time how U.S. transportation infrastructure is serving the needs of the U.S. economy and business community. This year, the index reveals that over the past five years failing infrastructure is weighing heavily on economic growth.

State-by-state Index results vary. The Index rates the following states as having the best transportation infrastructure: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Iowa. Among the bottom five states are: California, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey and the District of Columbia.

“The performance of the nation’s transportation system is not keeping pace with the rate of growth of the demands on that system,” said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “As our economy recovers, the nation’s transportation infrastructure must be prepared to meet the projected growth in freight and population.”

The Chamber of Commerce said that a 10-point improvement in the national transportation index could generate 3% more growth in U.S. GDP.