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Repairing the Problem with America's Transportation System Essay

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Repairing the Problem with America's Transportation System

There is a serious problem with our nation's roads and highways. I find myself repeatedly avoiding trips to the city for this very reason, as I'm sure many others do as well. This nerve-wracking congestion is even beginning to find its way into the suburbs and surrounding areas of large cities. It is a serious problem that affects everyone who owns an automobile, as well as, businesses that are dependent on reliable and convenient transportation. To top it all off, this problem is getting worse every year. The population of this nation is growing, which translates to an increase in cars on the road. More people are moving to cities and the suburbs that surround them, …show more content…

The Clinton administration proposed a plan called the National Economic Crossroads Efficiency Act, or NEXTEA. I personally think they spent more time on the name of this act than on the actually content of it. This plan will increase the amount of money in the Highway Trust Fund, yet reduce total spending by $500 million. And the purpose of that is?????? you got me, I guess there isn?t a logical one. The number of federal programs and non-highway projects will also be increased, thus diverting even more money away from are already under funded roads and highways (Fay 4).

Another pathetic attempt by the federal government was the 1991 transportation bill called the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, yet more proof of Washington?s tremendous skill at naming bills. But wait, this bill raised overall funding to record levels! Let?s examine it a little more closely. It increased the number of non-highway projects to be funded, including $30 million for a moving sidewalk in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Now that makes me mad every time I think about it. A moving sidewalk? In the end, this bill actually reduced the amount of money that was used for roads and highways (Henderson 1). It is clear that Washington is not capable of or willing to handle our transportation problems effectively.

My solution is to not let Washington ?screw? this problem up anymore and let the states and private investors handle

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