DALLAS – Most registered voters believe that federal, state, and local governments should boost spending to reverse a decline in the nation's infrastructure, according to a poll
Nearly half of the registered voters believe that the federal government should be primarily responsible for funding infrastructure repairs and upgrades. That includes 54% of the Democrats in the survey and 42% of Republicans.
"There is greater alignment across party lines regarding the quality of different sectors of infrastructure, with roughly one in three Democrats, Independents and Republicans all agreeing on the poor quality of roads and bridges," AEM said.
"A majority of Americans recognize the declining state of the nation's infrastructure as an issue that should be addressed, and nearly half (46%) of respondents said that U.S. infrastructure has gotten worse in the last five years," AEM said. "Roads and bridges top the list of sectors of the nation's infrastructure in extreme need of repair, but registered voters also believe that repairs should be made to railways, dams, and water pipelines."
One in three of the voters surveyed said roads are the first things that come to mind when thinking about the nation's infrastructure.
More than 90% of the voters in the poll said highways are in need of repair, with 89% saying the same about bridges, 80% for railways, and 76% for dams.
The on-line poll surveyed 1,975 registered voters in mid-June.
The presidential candidates should keep the voters' mood in mind as the campaign enters its final three months, the AEM said.
"The national poll shows broad bipartisan support for infrastructure prioritization and investment," it said. "There are notable differences across political affiliation, but when it comes to the quality of roads, bridges, and energy grids, there is general agreement among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans about each."
Almost 70% said an increase in federal infrastructure spending would have a positive impact on the economy, including 72% of Democrats and 65% of Republicans.
The new AEM poll is consistent with a nationwide Gallup telephone poll in early March, which found 75% of voters agree that more federal infrastructure spending is needed and only 11% saying it is not.
"Both presidential nominees have spoken about the importance of investing in the future of U.S. infrastructure," AEM said. "As they begin to offer further details about their plans for that investment, the findings of the poll provide insight into what voters think specifically should be a part of that future."
Water infrastructure, solar-powered homes, smart infrastructure, and high-speed trains were seen as most important by the voters surveyed, regardless of political affiliation. Self-driving cars and package delivery by drones were lower on the priority list.
Older voters are the most concerned about the status of transportation infrastructure, with 75% of those between 45 and 64 and 73% of the 65 or older rating U.S. roads as fair to poor. Only 55% of voters younger than 34 felt the same way.
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has proposed a five-year plan to add $275 billion of new federal funding in addition to the $305 billion provided by the five-year, Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, PL 114-94.
The Clinton plan includes $250 billion of infrastructure spending and a federal infrastructure bank initially capitalized at $25 billion.
An infrastructure proposal outlined Aug. 2 by Republican nominee Donald Trump would at least double the $275 billion of spending proposed by Clinton.
