Transportation Funding is Threatened as President Prepares State of the Union

President Obama faces a challenge in pitching his State of the Union address in a way that infrastructure development will appeal to anti-spending Republicans. Meanwhile, Republican sponsored spending cuts threaten transportation solutions, and new technology could create solar-powered roads that melt ice and snow. More in this installment of Infrastructure in the News.

National News

NY Times: Pitch for Rebuilding Infrastructure Carries Political Challenges
When President Obama uses his State of the Union address on Tuesday to rally America to “outbuild” other nations, he will face an unusual challenge: getting Republicans to embrace public works projects again as the kind of worthy bacon they have traditionally fought to bring home, and not as wasteful pork that should be spurned.

Time Video: What Makes a City Smart?
Prominent U.S. Mayors discuss what is needed to build intelligent cities that can compete in the global economy

The Washington Post: Spending cuts would hit Amtrak, Metro
Federal transportation funding would take a hit under the "Spending Reduction Act" being proposed Thursday afternoon by some conservative House Republicans.

CNN: Experts: U.S. water infrastructure in trouble
Anita Kramer had no idea that a 72-inch water main in her Maryland neighborhood was a ticking time bomb that was about to flood her home and ruin many of her most cherished possessions.

CNN: Solar-powered 'smart' roads could zap snow, ice
The mayors of New York and Atlanta, Georgia, suffered stinging criticism for their handling of recent winter storms, but in the near future, technology could clear city streets of ice and snow -- by simply melting it away.

Public Radio International: Developing high-speed train travel for the U.S.
The Obama Administration is attempting to catch up to European and Asian high-speed rail projects.

Journal of Commerce: Mica Wrestles TIGER
As new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., will have a lot to say about the future of the Department of Transportation's discretionary grants program it calls TIGER.

Land Line: Nebraska lawmakers urged to act now to fund roads
Enough is enough for a leading Nebraska state lawmaker. The chairwoman of the Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee is calling on lawmakers to act now to address the state’s highway funding shortfall.