What's Next for a National Infrastructure Policy: An Encore or a Requiem?

In an essay almost 30 years ago, Professor Dick Netzer of NYU asked the question Do We Really Need a National Infrastructure Policy? and came to the conclusion that we did not. As the Biden Administration prepares to roll out a multi-trillion dollar infrastructure package, the nation is faced with numerous questions regarding the infrastructure systems necessary to support continued economic growth and environmental sustainability. The purpose of this essay is to look to recent history for guidance for how to proceed by revisiting the underlying premises of the Netzer essay and reconsider whether a National Infrastructure Policy is needed. Because linking infrastructure to broader public policy objectives could both unite the nation and position it to address the many challenges that the 21st century will present, I believe the idea of a National Infrastructure Policy definitely deserves a second look.

Automated summary

The essay revisits the debate about the need for a National Infrastructure Policy, while considering the potential of linking infrastructure to broader public policy objectives to unite the nation and tackle 21st century challenges. Reevaluating the necessity of a National Infrastructure Policy in light of recent history is seen as a promising approach to guiding future decisions in infrastructure development.