Telling the Infrastructure Success Story

By Ward Nye | Chairman & CEO, Martin Marietta I ARTBA Chairman

The transportation design and construction industry has an exceptional story to tell. We need to tell it—in both a compelling and relentless manner. And while the reauthorization of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is not required until 2026, for us to build the type of bipartisan support that carried the IIJA, we need to act intentionally and purposefully. Now.

Imagine it’s 2026 and members of Congress are sitting down to cast their votes on the next surface transportation reauthorization having heard the success stories and being familiar with the characters. Under that circumstance, each delegate, armed with a full understanding of the IIJA’s generational impact, sits down and votes on the facts. If that happens, America wins—and so does our industry.

Sharing success stories is a multi-year commitment that ARTBA members, our private sector allies, and federal, state, and local transportation agencies need to incorporate into their workflows because no one else can more effectively explain how infrastructure improvements positively transform America. Moreover, we need to be concerned that if we’re not telling the compelling and positive stories, those opposed to our agenda will be telling theirs. Should the latter occur, both our nation and industry take a needless step backward.

The impact of that type of positive effort was most recently evidenced in March when Congress and the president made good on the promises of the IIJA in the FY 2022 appropriations process by exceeding the highway and public transit investment levels called for in the law’s first year. However, don’t be fooled. Even assuring the appropriations process went well following the IIJA’s passage was not easy. It took a great deal of dedicated and thoughtful work.

That said, how do we collectively share the story of forthcoming projects made possible by the IIJA? We focus on the five ‘W’s’ and ‘H’ of journalism:

Who? Taxpayers. Businesses. Communities. People. We need to share the IIJA’s benefits in their lives and business. Are daily commutes safer and smoother? Are communities more connected? Are goods and services being delivered more efficiently? Let us highlight these stories and put a spotlight on the thought leaders who are helping to make them reality.

What? Connect projects to specific user groups, places and results. Show how innovation and technology are being used to maximize the resources provided by the IIJA to speed project deliverables and have an impact now.

Where? Projects funded by the IIJA are making an immediate and important difference at the local level. Cumulative IIJA investment will bolster economic growth, create jobs, stimulate commerce and improve the standard of living in communities across the country.

When? Now. Do not wait for the ribbon-cutting. Start promoting projects while people can watch the work. Do so in partnership with state transportation officials and community beneficiaries of the projects. Generate and sustain interest and excitement. Emphasize long-term benefits to help minimize the short-term work zone inconveniences.

Why? Cataloging and quantifying these benefits will build momentum for 2026 and will help strengthen the case for continued infrastructure investment.

Telling these stories can also have the ancillary benefit of boosting workforce recruitment and retention. Our industry has an extraordinary effect on society. It’s not hyperbolic to observe that without our goods and services, America ceases to properly function. GDP would grind to a halt. Sharing these truths will help attract the next generation of talented leaders.

How? ARTBA’s veteran team of journalists can collaborate with you to write and bundle these stories. Make your project ‘fact sheets’ readily available. Leverage your own print, online, and social media platforms, and open up your worksites to share stories with elected leaders.

Remember, good storytelling both informs and inspires. If we educate Congress and the public now, they will be with us for the future. Our investment will pay dividends.

In business, that is always an optimal outcome.

This column appears in the current issue of ARTBA’s Transportation Builder magazine.