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Connecting Communities

Rural states are essential to the nation’s success, not only to meet the needs of their own citizens, but also to maintain their part of the national network on which the U.S. economy depends.

Highways across rural states also serve as a “bridge” for traffic between population centers for people and freight. Yet in policy discussions, the need to improve connectivity outside metropolitan areas is too often overlooked.

What is needed:

  • Federal funding to help rural states maintain their portions of the Interstates and National Highway System that serve as a “bridge” across America.
  • A doubling of Federal funding for rural transit during the next six years to meet rising demand.
  • Expanded capacity of existing Interstates;
  • Upgraded rural routes to Interstate standards; and
  • Better connections to newly urbanized areas from the Interstate system.

More capacity is needed to:

“The people who live in rural areas rely on commercial trucks, cell phones, and the Internet just as much as any city dweller. Yet many of our highways that serve rural areas were built back in the 1960s. Why do we expect our modern society to run on an archaic transportation system? We need a transportation system that works for the entire country of today – not one that struggles just to keep up with yesterday." –AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley

Did you know?

  • One out of five Americans lives in rural areas — a population equivalent to the people who live in the 100 largest cities.
  • Almost one of eight people 65 and older live in rural areas, relying heavily on rural roads for their transportation.
  • Sixty-six emerging cities with populations of 50,000 or more – including one state capital – do not have immediate access to the Interstate system.
  • Many of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations are in rural areas and experience significant traffic congestion.