In my column today, I revisit the Washington Roundtable-Boston Consulting Group report we posted on last week.

According to BCG, a $7 billion investment would return $42 billion in value over 30 years. The benefits show up in reduced congestion costs, improved safety, lower vehicle operating costs, expanded port activity, and lower future repair costs. The analysts estimate the package would generate 184,000 construction jobs over the next 12 years. And BCG calculates that the bump in economic activity would boost state and local tax collections by $2 billion over 30 years.

Analyzing research conducted for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, economist Susanne Trimbath confirms the positive returns. She finds that nationally transportation improvements pay for themselves in 17 years. The improved roads roads and bridges will be in service much longer than that.

Voters don’t feel represented by state government: 57 percent, a 20-year high, told Elway they are represented “not very well” (38 percent) plus or “not at all” (19 percent).

• Voters are also dissatisfied with “the way state government and politics is heading today”: 52 percent said they were “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied”

And Elway adds to that: “Just 22% were satisfied or ‘very satisfied’— down from 33% in 2007, the last time we asked the question. The negative side of question was different in 2007; at that time 43% said they were ‘disappointed’ (35%) or ‘angry’ (8%) about the direction of state government, rather than dissatisfied.”