This e-book is available as a free download from the ASCE Library.

Prepared for the American Society of Civil Engineers by Economic Development Research Group, Inc.

Each report in the Failure to Act series provides an objective analysis of the economic implications for the United States of its continued underinvestment in infrastructure. Reports in the series assess the implications of present trends in infrastructure investment for the productivity of industries, national competitiveness, and the costs for households. Analysis considers both the building of new infrastructure to meet increasing population and expanded exconomic activity, and the maintenance or rebuilding of existing infrastructure that needs repair or replacement.

This report focuses on airports, inland waterways, and marine ports, which are critical to the health of the U.S. economy, enabling the importing and exporting of goods, as well as global business travel. Topics include: an introduction; overview of airports, inland waterways, and marine ports; the potential investment gap; costs incurred by a failure to invest; economic impacts; and conclusions.