YOUR EDITORIAL "Mass. moves - badly" is indeed a sad commentary on the state of our transportation infrastructure. There are no surprises in the report of the Massachusetts Transportation Investment Coalition. You are right in writing that the funding gap "hasn't yet registered with the average citizen." However, even those who understand that there is a serious problem are unwilling to pay for the remedy.
There are three problems that need to be reckoned with.
First, our political leaders are unwilling to take the risk of proposing any type of new taxes. We are willing to accept hefty gasoline price increases imposed by the oil cartel, albeit not happily; but will fight tooth and nail a gas tax increase of even a few cents to pay for repairs to our deteriorating bridges and transit systems.
Second, we are facing a serious shortage of civil engineers, and the situation is likely to worsen. This shortage will affect both public and private sectors, and will weaken infrastructure policy development and implementation.
Third, financing options are extremely limited. Private financing of public infrastructure is not attractive to the private sector. However, hybrid financing plans that combine public and private dollars may offer the best hope for certain types of projects.
M. ILYAS BHATTI, Plainville
The writer, a professional engineer, served on the Metropolitan District Commission from 1989 to 1995.
