Construction industry officials are anxious for details\u00a0about President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s $1-trillion infrastructure proposal. \u00a0Some hints about the infrastructure plan have come from Elaine Chao, Trump\u2019s nominee to lead the Dept. of Transportation.<\/p>\n
At Chao\u2019s Jan. 11 Senate confirmation hearing, members of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee tried to elicit details of the plan from Chao, with little success. She did outline some broad features about the still- undeveloped proposal, saying private-sector financing will be a key element and that it will include direct federal funding, too. Chao also said that addressing the Highway Trust Fund\u2019s persistent revenue shortfall will be high on Trump\u2019s list as he begins his term in office.<\/p>\n
She noted that the Trump team will be assembling an infrastructure task force to put together the plan, an indication that the proposal\u2019s shape is far from settled and that it won\u2019t be released soon.<\/p>\n
Chao did indicated that the program would have \u201ca mix of practical solutions\u2014both public and private\u2014that provide the greatest cost-benefit to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n