Outlook2013
by John Latta, Editor-in-Chief | jlatta@randallreilly.com
A
t a time when
economists and
other seers are
reporting signs of optimism for 2013, kickstarted in the second
half of the year by the
private sector, Better
Roads' December survey
of both our contractor and agency readers
shows a resilient industry that, on both sides of
the aisle, sees funding as
the major problem facing us in 2013.
Our numbers come from a national survey, but it is likely
some of them include regional aberrations because some
states, or some parts of some states, defy national trends.
I would note also that our survey was done in early
December, and this issue went to press in late December
before the so-called "fiscal cliff" deadlines hit. Clearly any
deals addressing tax rates and spending cuts will be a significant factor in 2013, delivering either a minor or major
drag to growth.
One of the most disturbing answers in the survey comes
from contractors in response to the question: "Are you
seeing, or do you expect to see, increasing deterioration of
transportation infrastructure because of the lack of funding for essential repair work?" Among respondents, 86.4
percent say "yes."
Our survey shows that inadequate funding remains the
No.1 problem.
State agency respondents mostly (60.2 percent) expect
funding levels to be the same in 2013
as they were in 2012, a disappointing
number for everyone who expected
reauthorization to unlock funding
floodgates, or at least boost the
Better Roads January 2013 11
