Trump says US infrastructure spending may blow past US$1 trillion

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US President Donald Trump uses a chart illustrating the complexity of gaining regulatory approval for construction projects in the US. Trump wants to spend more than US$1 trillion upgrading highways, bridges, roads and airports in the country. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:08am, 5 Apr 2017Updated: 1:08am, 5 Apr 2017

President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to cut red tape to speed up approval of infrastructure projects and said his overhaul could top US$1 trillion on roads, tunnels and bridges, one of his 2016 election campaign promises.

Trump, a real estate businessman before he was elected, did not provide further details on the amount or where the money would come from when he spoke to a White House meeting of 50 chief executives and other business leaders.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said at the forum that the administration plans to release a legislative package in May. Investors have become more sceptical that the plan would win approval this year in Congress, which is controlled by Republicans who are traditionally wary of big spending.

Workers help passengers at the Turkish Airlines ticket counter assist passengers at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. US President Donald Trump wants to spend more than US$1 trillion to upgrade airports, roads, highways and bridges in the country. Photo: AFP

Trump said building a highway can require dozens of approvals and take 10 to 20 years, a process he vowed to speed up. Trump said he would not fund projects that cannot be started within 90 days.

The administration wants to improve the electrical grid and water systems, rebuild airports, bridges, roads and potentially hospitals for military veterans and broadband.