ACEC Research Institute Panel Pushes for New Federal Council to Coordinate Infrastructure Policies and Funding
WASHINGTON — A panel of national infrastructure funding experts pressed for the establishment of a new federal infrastructure planning council that could coordinate multiple agency policies and funding programs to improve the federal response to the nation’s infrastructure needs.
Panelists applauded new strategies outlined in the “America’s New Playbook for Infrastructure” developed by the nonprofit Accelerator for America in collaboration with the new National Infrastructure Partnership, which includes the ACEC Research Institute, WSP USA, HNTB, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, among others. The playbook offers strategies for a fundamental shift away from “a current top-down, outmoded federal funding model,” including the need for more autonomy by local governments on local infrastructure needs.