Reconnecting America: What can the trillion dollar infrastructure bill achieve? - a podcast by BBC World Service

President Trump once described America's infrastructure as "crumbling," it's perhaps why after much wrangling, the US Congress finally approved the trillion dollar bi-partisan infrastructure bill. But what can it achieve? And is it good value for money?

We'll criss-cross the United States hearing from projects hoping cash from the bill will make their visions for better connected communities a reality.
In rural Alaska we meet Jan Wrentmore and Mayor Andrew Cremata who hope to bring an electric ferry to their home of Skagway,before heading south to speak with Brian Kelly chief executive of California's High Speed Rail Authority. Liz Kirkwood of the clean water campaign group FLOW explains how money from the bill could help alleviate chronic problems with antiquated and dangerous water systems in her home of Michigan, whilst Keith Baker of ReConnect Rondo, in St Paul, Minnesota hopes new infrastructure there can repair a community torn apart by previous big building projects.

And Emily Feenstra of the US Society of Civil Engineers, and Steve Hanke, Professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University and a former adviser to the Reagan White House, tell us about America's infrastructure needs, and assess whether this bill actually helps address them.
The programme is presented by the BBC's Will Bain.

Audio credit: With thanks to the Rondo: Beyond the Pavement documentary team

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