The United States moves nearly $18 trillion worth of goods annually, the vast majority of it via truck or rail. While a well-functioning freight transportation system is essential for the American economy, federal policy has created a massive economic distortion that costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars annually while making our roads more dangerous, more congested, and contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

The problem stems from a fundamental inequality in how America funds freight transportation infrastructure. Railroads privately own and maintain virtually all of the U.S.’s 140,000 miles of track and invest over $23 billion annually—nearly $170,000 per track mile—to maintain it, which makes rail one of the most capital-intensive industries in the country.

Howe

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