b'RISKS TO A SUCCESSFUL FUTUREPerhaps the largest risk to Idahos future economiclongstanding division continues to pose a risk to success is the proper funding of transportationwhole-state economic integration.1improvements. Traditional methods of funding are insucient because fuel taxes are failing to supportIdahos wellbeing is also closely linked with national transportation infrastructure requirements and asand international trends. At the time of writing, infrastructure age, there is a greater need for updatedthe most volatile global factor is the COVID-19 infrastructure. Federal ocials estimate that thepandemic. According to The World Bank, Over the Highway Trust Fund currently falls behind by aboutlonger horizon, the deep recessions triggered by $8 billion per year.1 Additionally, the Congressionalthe pandemic are expected to leave lasting scars Budget Oce projects that by 2030, outlays from thethrough lower investment, an erosion of human Highway Trust Fund will exceed trust fund reservescapital through lost work and schooling, and by a cumulative $134 billion for the highway accountfragmentation of global trade and supply linkages and by $54 billion for the mass transit account, even ifThe pandemic is expected to plunge most countries expiring trust funds taxes are extended.10 into recession in 2020, with per capita income contracting in the largest fraction of countries Exceptional and reliable transportation is vital to theglobally since 1870.12 The energy, metals, and commutes of Idahos workforce and to the vitalitytransportation sectors are suspected to be hit hard, of the tourism and recreation sectors. A reportand trade restrictions and supply chain disruptions from the Economic Policy Institute asserts thatcould result in food security issues.12 Furthermore, infrastructure investment in the U.S. would result inmany businesses are facing a dramatically changed a boost in gross domestic product and the creationenvironment where many consumers avoid going of hundreds of thousands of new jobs.11 A distinctout and/or have reduced economic resources transportation issue within the state of Idaho is theto spend, especially on restaurants, leisure, and bottleneck between southern and northern Idaho.hospitality services, eectively slowing down While highway improvements have been made, thiseconomic recovery.1338 I D A H O I N F R A S T R U C T U R E G U I D E B O O K'