"When you see how much modern infrastructure has been built in China since 2001, under the banner of the Olympics, and you see how much infrastructure has been postponed in America since 2001, under the banner of the war on terrorism, it's clear that the next seven years needs to be devoted to nation-building in America." This is just one of the astute observations of "New York Times" columnist Tom Friedman in his August 27 piece "A Biblical Seven Years."

Check out the full article.

Friedman also highlights other extensive transportation infrastructure improvements initiated at China's airports and transit systems, and compares them to what he calls LaGuardia's "dumpy terminal in New York City and driving through the crumbling infrastructure in Manhattan."

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has a long-term, strategic infrastructure improvement plan to help ensure the U.S. remains globally competitive with China. ARTBA is calling on Congress to "reform, refocus, restructure and refinance" the federal surface transportation programs as part of the 2009 reauthorization bill. ARTBA has identified what it believes - in addition to improving safety - should be the two priorities driving future federal involvement in transportation:

• One would be expanded funding for the "core highway/transit programs" largely dedicated to asset preservation and improving the quality of life for all Americans. ARTBA recognizes, however, additional resources alone will not solve the nation's transportation challenges. The association has developed a series of specific operational recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing programs.
• The second, a "Critical Commerce Corridors," or "3C," program, would be focused on adding new highway and intermodal capacity to help safely and efficiently facilitate the movement of freight, which is expected to double in the next 25 years. Design and construction of the 3C initiative would be financed with new revenue streams, freight-related federal user fees, public/private investments and bonding.

The association has prepared a unique minute video using computer animation to help you better visualize the 3C initiative.

Learn more about ARTBA's vision for the future of the nation's surface transportation programs.