Fix it First
Fix it First is a philosophy about infrastructure investment that prioritizes bringing existing infrastructure up to acceptable standards over spending money on building out new infrastructure.[1][2] Proponents acknowledge that politicians love to cut ribbons on new projects even if the biggest needs involve fixing hidden infrastructure like water or sewage lines.[1]
In 2004, the National Governors Association considered 'fix-it-first' to be a best-practice given the increase in the cost of new construction.[3] In 2021, Pete Buttigieg embraced the strategy to try and reduce the deferred maintenance of transportation infrastructure in the United States at the beginning of his term as Transportation Secretary.[4] Marc Scribner endorsed this approach in Reason magazine arguing it was the 'lowest-risk' approach to infrastructure investment given the uncertainty about future transportation needs.[5] The Post and Courier editorial board also advocated for South Carolina to raise money for fix-it-first programs and not new construction, citing the worsening of road quality in Charleston County.[6] Advocacy organizations that prefer a 'fix it first' approach include the Public Interest Research Group,[7] Environmental Law and Policy Center,[8] Third Way[9] and Transportation for America.[10] The Brookings Institution published a 2011 paper that argued that a 'fix it first' approach for the U.S. highway system provided the best cost-benefit ratio.[11]
A 2024 survey in the UK by YouGov found that 80% of the respondents preferred a fix-it-first approach (such as filling potholes) to building new roads.[12]
See also
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- The Innovation Delusion, 2020
References
[edit]- 1 2 Renn, Aaron M. (2018-02-26). "A Tip for Infrastructure Builders: Fix It First". Governing (magazine). Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ "Fix It First | Metropolitan Transportation Commission". mtc.ca.gov. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ "NGA promotes 'fix-it-first' strategy to improve transport infrastructure." Urban Transport News, vol. 32, no. 18, 8 Sept. 2004, pp. 149+. Gale General OneFile
- ↑ Bliss, Laura (March 2, 2021). "Pete Buttigieg Stresses a 'Fix It First' Infrastructure Policy". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ Scribner, Marc (2021-04-12). "Right Now, Infrastructure Policy Should Focus on Fixing and Maintaining What We Have". Reason Foundation. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ Editorial Staff, (2025) 'Editorial: Fix-it-first is a smart statewide strategy. Charleston County should take note.', Post and Courier, The (Charleston, SC), 16 Jul, p. 012
- ↑ "Fix It First". PIRG. 2021-04-30. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ Reynolds, Lena (2023-03-13). "30 years of Advocating for "Fix it First" Transportation Policy". Environmental Law & Policy Center. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ Laska, Alexander (January 28, 2021). "Fix it First: Fighting Climate Change with Smarter Highway Spending". www.thirdway.org. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ "Fix it first". Transportation For America. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ Kahn, Matthew E.; Levinson, David M. (February 25, 2011). "Fix It First, Expand It Second, Reward It Third: A New Strategy for America's Highways". Brookings. Retrieved 2026-09-03.
- ↑ Reid, Carlton. "Ditch New Roads To Fix Potholes, Say 81% Of Brits In Week That DfT To Reveal Funding Plan". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-07-23. Retrieved 2026-09-03.