• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "David Walker",
    "David Burwell"
  ],
  "type": "commentary",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "United States"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Climate Change"
  ]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE

REQUIRED IMAGE

Commentary

Transportation Infrastructure and the Deficit

America’s transportation infrastructure is crumbling and will cost billions to upgrade. Is continued spending on infrastructure a sound investment? Can it be done in a fiscally responsible way?

Link Copied
By David Walker and David Burwell
Published on Oct 12, 2011

America’s transportation infrastructure is crumbling and will cost billions to upgrade. Is continued spending on infrastructure a sound investment? Can it be done in a fiscally responsible way? David Walker, one of the country’s leading fiscal watchdogs, led a discussion on how infrastructure investments fit within the broader deficit picture.

About the Authors

David Walker

David Burwell

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Energy and Climate Program

Burwell focused on the intersection between energy, transportation, and climate issues, as well as policies and practice reforms to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels.

Authors

David Walker
David Burwell
Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Energy and Climate Program
Political ReformClimate ChangeNorth AmericaUnited States

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • Two men speaking
    Commentary
    Emissary
    Who Puts Guardrails on AI?

    Why governance of rapidly evolving technology will be distributed and complex.

      Stewart Patrick, Scott Singer

  • Trump walking toward Xi, both with arms extended to shake hands
    Commentary
    Emissary
    The U.S. and China Need an AI Hotline. Here’s How to Build It.

    It should address the shortcomings of previous crisis communication efforts and adapt to the demands of frontier AI.

      • Lucy Luo

      Lucy Luo

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia

    If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.

      Sergejs Potapkins

  • Soldiers standing behind barbed wire
    Commentary
    Emissary
    The UN Isn’t Declining. It’s Decomposing.

    Washington’s decision to support some UN functions while letting others wither is pulling the organization apart at the seams.

      Stewart Patrick, Theodore Zaritsky

  • 2026 Carnegie California AI Survey
    Paper
    2026 Carnegie California AI Survey

    While there are notable demographic, economic, and geographic divides over AI, there is also substantial alignment between Republicans and Democrats.

      • Rachel George
      • +2

      Ian Klaus, Mark Baldassare, Rachel George, …

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.