Baren J.R. (Ed.) Infrastructure: rebuilding, repairing and restructuring

Nova Science Publishers, New York, 2009, 132 p., ISBN: 978-1-61728-522-6There are various definitions of what constitutes infrastructure, but generally infrastructure refers to the large-scale public systems, services, and facilities of a country or region that are necessary for economic activity. The sector tends to be separated into two broad subsets - economic and social. Economic infrastructure includes highways, water and sewerage facilities, and energy distribution and telecommunication networks whereas social infrastructure encompasses schools, universities, hospitals, public housing and prisons.Infrastructure assets are generally characterised by high development costs (high barriers to entry) and long lives. They are generally managed and financed on a long-term basis. Historically it was seen as the role of the government to fund and manage these assets for the good of the population. Today, the role of the government as the provider of public services is increasingly being questioned both in terms of the absolute cost to taxpayers and as to whether a government can deliver the assets as efficiently as a private company competing for the privilege. From the government's perspective there is a strong case for privatisation, where the debt raised by the private partner remains on their balance sheets, not on that of the Treasury's.These factors have resulted in a gradual migration from the public provision of infrastructure to the private sector. The private provision of these assets may take many forms from joint ventures, concessions and franchises through to straight delivery contracts. Essentially the private sector is being brought in to design, build, finance and/or maintain public sector assets in return for long term contracted payments from the government or access to the revenues generated from the asset.Issues and Options in Infrastructure Investment
Budgeting for Capital Investment, Statement of Rudolph G. Penner, The Urban Institute, Washington DC Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Redressing America's Public Infrastructure Deficit: Testimony of Bernard L. Schwartz Before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Testimony of Allen D. Biehler to the Highways and Transit Subcommittee U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Testimony of Everett M. Ehrlich before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure U.S. House Of Representatives
Remarks of the Hon, Rosa L. DeLauro, Testimony on NIDA, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Testimony before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Hearing on Investment in Transportation Infrastructure
Testimony before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee "Financing Infrastructure Investments"
Congressman Keith Ellison, Statement before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Hearing on Financing Infrastructure Investments
Statement of the Honorable Ken Calvert, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Hearing on "Financing Infrastructure Investments"
Testimony of Stephen E. Schlickman, For the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Authority Before the Subcommittee on Highways, and Transit of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Maintaining Our Nation's Highway and Transit Infrastructure
Statement of The Honorable Leo Bowman, Benton County, Washington on Behalf of the National Association of Counties on Maintaining the Nation's Highway and Transit Infrastructure Before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Testimony of Linda S. Watson, LYNX, Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority Before the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit of the U.S. House of Representatives
Testimony of Michael Allegra before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Hearing "Maintaining our Nation's Highway and Transit Infrastructure"
Testimony of Pete K. Rahn, Missouri Dept. of Transportation before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Statement of The Honorable James L. Oberstar, Hearing on Maintaining our Nation's Highway and Transit Infrastructure Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
Statement of The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Hearing on Maintaining our Nation's Highway and Transit Infrastructure