Just a few miles from my office sits the Mario Cuomo Bridge, crossing a critical expanse of the Hudson River. The new bridge, which required a $4 billion investment, is a major improvement over the previous Tappan Zee and a safer, more pleasant journey for motorists. And it’s a boon for high-growth regional companies like mine: It supports the efficient movement of supplies and finished products, makes for a happier commute for our employees and can make a difference in recruiting key talent.

Despite this project and other long-overdue investments, such as the La Guardia Airport renovation, New York is still in dire need of repair. A recent study found that one third of New York’s major highways are in poor or fair condition, and that over the next 20 years, the state will need to spend $36 billion to upgrade and maintain our wastewater system.

Nationwide, we have an infrastructure investment gap over the next two decades of approximately $5 trillion, according to the American Society for Civil Engineers. This is a significant public health issue. Nearly 21 million Americans live in areas where community water systems fail to meet quality water standards, and some roadways are an imminent public safety hazard. It’s a serious economic handicap, too. American companies could lose $340 billion in sales through 2023 because of poor infrastructure, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

President Trump and members of Congress from both parties have raised the alarm. Lawmakers have floated the idea of an “infrastructure bank” to support investments. Despite widespread public support, the major stumbling block has been how to fund such an effort. Increasing personal or corporate income taxes or imposing “wealth taxes” on individuals has no chance of securing bipartisan support.