Connecting Americans to Prosperity: How Infrastructure Can Become More Equitable

The greatness of our nation’s physical infrastructure (buildings, transportation systems, communication networks, water systems, etc.) is matched by its massive economic contributions. Infrastructure creates jobs, builds businesses, and fosters trade while being a vehicle from which other economic activity flourishes in addition to providing basic human services. Yet, as Dr. Martin testified in a February 2022 Congressional Committee Hearing Infrastructure and Economic Growth, infrastructure’s achievements mask past disparities. Simply put, not everyone has benefited from infrastructure’s economic promise and there are five significant aspects of infrastructure that should be addressed in future projects to make it more equitable.