Fix-it-First Myths and Facts
Myth #2

Myth #2: Fix-it-First will hurt Wisconsin’s economy.

Fact #2:  The Federal Highway Administration, Boston University and the Battelle Memorial Institute worked together to create JOBMOD, an economic model that can be used to analyze more than ten different types of transportation projects.  The Surface Transportation Policy Project used JOBMOD to analyze the comparative impacts of capacity expansion versus repair/maintenance.  For every $1.25 billion invested in new road and bridge capacity, 43,206 jobs are created according to JOBMOD.  For every $1.25 billion invested in road and bridge maintenance and repair, 47,073 jobs are created.  Maintenance and Repair result in 9% more jobs for each dollar invested.  If the transportation budget is looked to as a source of economic development and job creation, then the state should consider a Fix-it-First policy.

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