What do a comedian, a country music singer, and a businessman all have in common?
You may have thought this was a joke, but in fact it’s what happened this week in the news, as the call for infrastructure investment came from some unexpected spokespersons.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan assessed Los Angeles’ infamous congestion problems while stuck in traffic at 10:30 on a Wednesday night.
“Maybe if we do nothing about the traffic problem it will go away?” – Los Angeles
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) March 6, 2014
While Gaffigan’s tweet isn’t entirely accurate—LA has been working to ease congestion—everyone has experienced a frustrating traffic jam and pondered what could be done to fix it.
Kip Moore, a rising country singer, joined with CASE Construction Equipment to promote infrastructure investment, particularly in underserved communities.
The president of C&J Bus Lines, a private professional motor coach company located in New Hampshire, advocated for an increase in the gas tax, as the state legislature considers it. The op-ed received praise from another resident, who agreed that the need for maintenance was worth the cost.
Bill Chameides, blogger on Huffington Post and dean of Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, also made compelling arguments, pointing out that “while Americans seem ever eager to get the latest iPhone … we seem behind the curve when it comes to basic upkeep” of our nation’s infrastructure. The piece then moves on to discuss the Highway Trust Fund and the search for a reliable funding mechanism, an issue also explored in an interview on Boston NPR.
Furthering the case on the need for investment, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a report last Friday assessing aging infrastructure, and urging spending to fund improvements. In a Wall Street Journal article about the report, ASCE’s Casey Dinges echoed the report’s findings, stating “Just the status quo is not going to work” when it comes to funding.
As the discussion for funding the Highway Trust Fund continues, it’s nice to see a wide range of advocates for the cause.