The publicly funded development of Boston's Quincy Market and Baltimore's Inner Harbor are good examples of successful public works projects. Despite fierce initial opposition, more than 35,000 new jobs were created during the one billion-dollar Baltimore project. Hundreds of business sprang up to service the tourism economy that thrives in both cities to this day.

"The nearby Potomac River, running from West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay, is home to a recreation industry valued at $120 million each year," explains Charles Murray of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.

Before a federally funded river reclamation project, the industry and the jobs that came with it simply did not exist. "Property values along the Potomac increased by an average of 28 percent, with tax revenues allowing towns and cities to further expand services, utilities and employment opportunities," says Murray.

Yet, large-scale public works projects are facing some of the stiffest resistance in decades. Citizens and lawmakers alike increasingly view public works projects as costly, tax-draining boondoggles.

Basic infrastructure improvements, once accepted as a routine cost of attracting new businesses, are now routinely shot down on both the state and local level.

"The tax cut thing is killing us," admits Rick Wright, former New Jersey Associate Treasurer, referring to the "no new taxes" pledge too many politicians take to win election.

Failure by the lawmakers to support investments in the transportation infrastructure could cripple an entire industry and seriously harm hundreds of communities, added Brad Van Dam of the American Association of Airport Executives.

"The public has a right to basic transportation services, and the government should be financially involved," says Van Dam, who projected 40,000 new jobs would be created for every billion dollars spent on transportation projects.

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