Highway Finance Data Collection

Our Nation's Highways: 2010

Introduction: A New Beginning

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), whose main goals are to create new jobs as well as save existing ones, spur economic activity, invest in long-term economic growth, and foster unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency in government spending.

The passage of the Recovery Act has brought about a renewed focus on the importance of infrastructure throughout the United States. In addition to the physical improvements to the national roadway system, the Recovery Act has also increased the awareness of the need for preserving and improving our highway infrastructure.