Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal:
Sure, a new rail tunnel to Manhattan is needed. If that gobbles up the "rail" part of this package (a very big IF) though, that's not the greatest of ideas, IMO.From highways to schools, state and local governments have been postponing approved construction projects in recent months. Assured funding would jump-start these projects. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, a group of state and local government officials, has a list of 3,109 "ready-to-go" highway projects that could break ground in 30 days to 90 days worth $18.4 billion.
Two former Clinton administration transit officials, Mortimer Downey and Jane Garvey, are among those spearheading transportation issues for the Obama transition. They have reached out to state and local officials to be ready for a spending package.
"What we've been told is to be ready, it's coming," says Christopher Ward, executive director of the bistate Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. His agency has several infrastructure projects in planning, including a new rail tunnel connecting New Jersey and Manhattan that is seeking federal funds. ...