Yes, budgets are tight at both the federal and state levels as Congress considers both Obama's jobs bill and a highway-fund reauthorization.
Robert Puentes, an expert on economic development at the Brookings Institution in Washington, says smart choices would be tethered to specific national goals and regional needs.
"If you're going to be much more global, and if you're going to double exports within five years, then there are a set of infrastructure projects that are going to help you do that," he says. "There are port projects ... border crossings, gateways."
Similarly, other goals might lead toward different projects. To create a low-carbon economy, one focus might be on charging stations for electric cars. To reduce delays in air travel, updated air-traffic control is needed.
Good old roads and bridges can't be ignored either. Some transportation experts call for a "fix it first" approach, to keep existing systems in good repair.
