How Does This Bring Jobs?

Research Triangle, Silicone Valley, DC Beltway, US 422 Corridor. All these places have the same thing in common, they are all places international corporations might consider when locating in the United States. What separates the US 422 Corridor from the group? In one word: infrastructure. They either have it, or are willing to build it; why should the US 422 Corridor be any different?

After attending the US 422 Master Plan Public Open House meetings held in June, the consistent question was, how can tolling US 422 be good for economic development; how can tolling bring jobs? This sentiment, at least to me, appears to be based upon a basic misunderstanding of the availability of state and federal funding for highways, bridges, and transit. The short answer to the question is, there simply is not enough money to fix the problem, period. In more definite terms, our region, Southeastern PA receives $300 million annually for highway improvements. When projected over the full twelve years our transportation improvement program is budgeted it equals approximately $3.6 Billion. Sounds like a lot of money, but when contrasted to the list of projects that adds to a conservative estimate of $15 Billion, it will not cover the bill. Quite frankly, sufficient funds are not available for the region, and US 422 is not the top project on the wish list.

OK, so we can’t afford to fix the road with state and federal dollars, that’s fine, we can just deal with the traffic, and patch the potholes; beats paying a toll. If that solution was implemented nationwide, it wouldn’t be a problem; however it is not the case. The problem is, other regions in the U.S. are finding ways to pay for their infrastructure improvements, and growing at outrageous rates, compared to the US 422 Corridor. That is what separates the areas listed above. When a multi-national corporation is looking to locate a U.S. headquarters, good quality roads and transit are top on the list of needs for the company. The places listed are solving these problems, and are reaping the benefits of their investments.

The corridor is failing to realize is that this is not an issue of jobs moving elsewhere in the greater Philadelphia region, this is an issue of jobs either not coming to the region at all, or picking up and moving to a place that provides better roads and transit. For the US 422 Corridor to be an attractive location the situation must change for the better. Tolling US 422 is one solution to the problem. Before we debate this solution, we must understand the problem. The problem is the fact that the corridor cannot control its own destiny. This lack of control puts the corridor at the mercy of a broken funding system, and an inadequate source of funds. The solution does not have to include tolling, but it must include local control of local issues. Tolling provides that control.

If the US 422 wants to see job growth, wealth and prosperity, and a better future, then the investment must be made today. Raising the funds locally to build local projects will let the corridor control its prosperity. We, as the corridor residents and business leaders, should not let these opportunities take root elsewhere. If everyone contributes a small amount today, we will all receive large returns tomorrow.