Poll: Voters united on infrastructure across party lines

By |  August 9, 2016

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) published results from a national poll that reveals half of registered voters say the nation’s infrastructure has gotten worse over the last five years.

In addition, a majority of voters says roads and bridges are in “extreme” need of repair.

The findings are part of a new national poll AEM commissioned to gauge voter perceptions and attitudes about the current and future state of U.S. infrastructure amid a high-profile election.

According to AEM, the poll reveals that registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, recognize the declining state of the nation’s infrastructure as an issue that should be addressed and believe the federal government should do more to improve infrastructure.

“Americans across the political spectrum understand the dire state of U.S. infrastructure and believe the federal government should do more to improve our infrastructure,” says Dennis Slater, president of AEM. “Voters recognized that increased federal funding for assets such as roads, bridges and inland waterways will have a positive impact on the economy, and they are looking to the federal government to repair and modernize.”

AEM identifies a number of key findings, including that nearly half (46 percent) of registered voters believe the state of the nation’s infrastructure has gotten worse in the last five years. Also, a majority (80 to 90 percent) of registered voters say roads, bridges and energy grids are in some or extreme need of repairs.

Half (49 percent) of the surveyed population feels the federal government is primarily responsible for funding repairs to the nation’s infrastructure, AEM adds. In addition, seven of every 10 registered voters say increasing federal funding for infrastructure will have a positive impact on the economy.

Another AEM finding reveals that more than eight of every 10 Americans consider water infrastructure (86 percent), solar-powered homes (83 percent) and smart infrastructure (82 percent) as the top three important innovations for the future of infrastructure.

Voters across the political spectrum also think the federal government should do more to improve the nation’s overall infrastructure, with 68 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of Independents and 76 percent of Democrats sharing this sentiment.

According to AEM, registered voters feel government at all levels should be doing more to improve the nation’s overall infrastructure, with 76 percent of individuals surveyed wanting more from state governments; 72 percent looking to the federal government to do more; and 70 percent expecting more from local governments.

“Both presidential nominees have voiced their strong support for infrastructure investment,” says Ron DeFeo, CEO of Kennametal and chairman of AEM’s Infrastructure Vision 2050 initiative. “The specific ideas and proposals they offer over the next 90 days will be critically important, and voters should consider them carefully on Election Day.”

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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