Nationwide there are more than 550 transit projects valued at $8 billion that are "ready to go" as soon as funding is made available. Countless other infrastructure projects remain stalled throughout the country as the funds are simply not there to begin building. If these projects are to stimulate the economy, as President-elect Obama has said, where will the money to start these projects come from as many states face billion dollar budget shortfalls?

The National Transportation Safety Board hearing into the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge - NTSB investigators have found the weight of the bridge and construction materials and equipment placed on it forced a poorly-designed and under-sized gusset to fail.

Rick Karr, Blueprint America correspondent, on the best in infrastructure blogging.

Over 70 percent of the major transportation-funding measures on ballots this year were approved. This will inject over $75 billion into 23 transportation systems around the country. Seattle will invest $18 billion to expand its mass-transit system. The Wall Street Journal reports on what could be a major shift in American transportation policy.

To bail out its economy, China recently announced a $586 billion stimulus package in new infrastructure spending. And, as a new President is about to take power, the United States considers a similar move. However, Japan tried the same thing nearly 20 years ago with little success.

This scenario has been playing out from Congo to the Philippines: mining operations from the developed world move into ore-rich, but impoverished areas of developing countries.

Rick Karr, Blueprint America correspondent, writes about his work so far on the PBS infrastructure project.

A recent program held by the Manhattan Institute explores the possible roles of private sector finance and management, whether as a complement or as a substitute for traditional government ownership and operation, in building and maintaining infrastructure.

Some pundits suggest Rep. James Oberstar (D., MN), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, could be near the top of the list for Transportation Secretary in the Obama administration.