Mayors nationwide believe infrastructure is the most important issue presidential candidates should be addressing, according to Boston University Initiative on Cities’ 2019 Menino Survey of Mayors.
The university surveyed 119 mayors from 38 states with cities of more than 75,000 residents. Mayors were asked open-ended questions. A total of 45 percent said infrastructure was the issue they hoped was discussed during the election.
Mayors were asked what type of “large” infrastructure project they would prioritize if they were given an unrestricted grant, and 25 percent said water, wastewater, and stormwater projects.
When asked about projects are related to transportation, nearly half of the mayors believe bicyclists, persons with disabilities, and pedestrians are not safe in their cities, and almost 75 percent believe city roads should be more accessible to bicycles, even if that means sacrificing driving lanes or parking.
The mayors also were concerned cars contribute to climate change, and two-thirds believe vehicles are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Still, mayors disagree along party lines about the role cities should play in reducing climate change.
Two-thirds of mayors believe it’s essential to improve their cities’ electric vehicle infrastructure, even if it means less parking for gasoline-powered vehicles.