Economic Analysis and Infrastructure Investment

Policymakers often call for increasing public spending on infrastructure, which includes a broad range of investments from roads and bridges that facilitate moving people and goods to digital networks that will expand access to high-speed broadband. Some point to near-term macroeconomic benefits and job creation, while others focus on long-term effects on productivity and economic growth. This volume explores the links between infrastructure spending and economic outcomes, as well as key economic issues in the funding and management of infrastructure projects. It describes the short-run stimulus effects of infrastructure spending, develops new estimates of the stock of US infrastructure capital, and explores the incentive aspects of public-private partnerships (PPPs). A salient issue is the treatment of risk in evaluating both publicly funded infrastructure projects and PPPs. The volume provides a reference for researchers seeking to expand the knowledge base on infrastructure issues, and for policymakers tasked with determining the appropriate level of infrastructure spending.