“Tea party members don’t think there’s a federal role in transportation!”
The Tea Party is absolutely correct!
“Roads and bridges.” A total waste of money and a prize “plumb” for large contractors who receive the “fruit” hanging off the crony tree.
Think back to the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s and remember how long it took to build a road or bridge...and the cost of it.
Compare that today and it’s amazing how long and how much today’s cost. Why? Rules and Regulations designed by our governmental agencies to require massive time, materials and payments to just about everyone other than the actual builders in order to “protect” the environment and special needs of those who live near the project.
The main reason is mismanagement and coordination among all concerned.
For example: Everyone has seen a new street being built and once it is completed it is cut across to lay a new utility or pipe simply because planning and coordination simply does not exist in any government project.
The libertarians did have a good idea to privatize roads and bridges. Toll roads and bridges are a perfect example of this. When the actual “real world” of business (profit and loss P&L) comes into play, efficiency in both fiscal and management becomes the rule of the day.
The government has an endless supply of money and NO real management credentials.
Read your Constitution. The Federal gov’t does have an enumerated power to establish post roads.
That said, I am not arguing with you that there is tremendous waste in highway building and similar projects, for a variety of reasons.