COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan, which detailed plans to fix roads, highways, ports and airports, was unveiled Monday. The plan is laid out in the Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America and states that $1.5 trillion in new investment will be generated over the next 10 years.
How will this affect states and our region? Currently, there is an 80/20 federal-state split for federally funded highways, while federally funded mass transit projects typically have a 50/50 split, Vox explained. Trump’s proposal would change this ratio, requiring local governments to come up with more funding for each project.
The plan also raises the potential for divesting in several local assets including the George Washington Memorial and Baltimore-Washington Parkways. Also on that list are the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport, two out of three major airports serving the Washington metropolitan area.
This plan would also give states more freedom to toll their own interstates and reinvest the revenue in infrastructure, however, critics fear this could raise tolls for commuters.
As expected, some social media users and politicians oppose the plan.
This. Is. Not. An. #InfrastructurePlan… https://t.co/KJ2wh6khBg
— Julie Stern (@juliededit) February 12, 2018
.@realDonaldTrump‘s plan would result in #TrumpTolls across America. It relies on private companies or states to put up the lion’s share of the money. But investors & large banks will want projects that generate a profit, so they’ll charge the middle-class hundreds/yr in tolls. pic.twitter.com/EXECgCBAhy
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 12, 2018
We must invest in infrastructure to be able to create good paying jobs, connecting housing to opportunity, and ensure America can compete in the global economy. Instead, the WH plan leaves states and localities with the bill.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 13, 2018
The Trump administration’s #infrastructure plan remains nothing but smoke and mirrors, with the addition that now it will be paid for by cuts to programs that working families rely on. https://t.co/dduyi1yKTI #InfrastructureScam
— Economic Policy Institute (@EconomicPolicy) February 12, 2018
Note to the press: Trump’s infrastructure plan is not a $1.5 trillion investment. It’s theft #InfrastructureScam
— Vijay Das (@vijdas) February 12, 2018
Other social media users and politicians showed support for the plan.
Infrastructure in the United States is crumbling and no longer meets the needs of the American public. +50K American bridges are rated as “structurally deficient.” These deficient bridges are driven across 175 MILLION times each day. We must rebuild our country’s #infrastructure!
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) February 13, 2018
Pl do support @POTUS @realDonaldTrump #InfrastructurePlan so our airports, roads and bridges look at least, Somewhat, like those in countries USA has funded / donated to, for decades!! Pl help #MakeAmericaGreatAgain . Let’s be Proud Again, Be an? https://t.co/wmkFdY6a21
— presboss (@presboss) February 13, 2018
I support this infrastructure plan for many reasons, but especially because it gives control to local communities. I would be proud to support this plan in Congress https://t.co/CuevlRYPdP
— Rick Saccone (@Saccone4PA18) February 12, 2018
.@CNBC highlights our support for the President’s #infrastructureplan. #PrivateEquity has the capital and experience to help make big improvements to U.S. infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/2cCXbMctjM
— AICouncil (@AmericaInvests) February 12, 2018
Trump himself tweeted, saying he was honored to speak with members from both parties about the plan.
Today, I was honored to be joined by Republicans and Democrats from both the House and Senate, as well as members of my Cabinet – to discuss the urgent need to rebuild and restore America’s depleted infrastructure. https://t.co/8ByoQJsjTT pic.twitter.com/BVBRDvHfcC
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2018
In perhaps another sign of support for the infrastructure improvements, Trump donated his fourth quarter salary to the Department of Transportation.
Happening Now: @SecElaineChao accepts 4th quarter donated presidential salary from Pres. Trump on behalf of @USDOT for competitive INFRA Grants Program. https://t.co/5vyLcWXe5P
— TransportationGov (@USDOT) February 13, 2018