Seems as if there are a number of crises to keep the news anchors busy these days. Before controversial healthcare reform and the flashy “Cash for Clunkers” program hit the streets, I do recall a modicum of dust-up over the dire state of the US infrastructure. Those headlines have been buried now; It was too hard to get passionate about infrastructure. Face it, we take our road system for granted. Users drive it every day without care to how it’s paid for and maintained. Roads are perceived as a public utility much like water – once it is there, it will always be there. For many, the “how” of funding, building and maintaining the system that helps us move is a boring formality – a real snoozer – as long as it is working. This kind of apathy is especially troubling considering that the facts tell us our transportation system is on the precipice of NOT working. According to AASHTO’s Rough Roads report :
- One-third of the nation’s highways – interstates, freeways and major roads – are in poor or mediocre condition.
- More than one-quarter of major urban roads, which carry the brunt of national traffic, are in poor condition.
To surmise: Our roads and bridges are falling apart, just like my nearly 90 year-old house. And like my house, maintenance costs are going up. But wait – it’s worse than that. As the roads deteriorate, our dependency upon them is increasing due to population growth and trends to dispersion (i.e. suburban living). This heavy use means serious maintenance is in order; and, coupled with a demand for more roads, our auto-centric lifestyles are quickly outstripping the funds available to keep us moving in our personal, four-wheeled castles.
Take a look at the American Society of Civil Engineering’s 2009 Infrastructure Report Card, where the nations’ infrastructure receives an overall grade of “D.” Do these films describe an economic powerhouse or the dilapidated third world? Is this not perceived as a crisis to the general population because we can’t see or feel the problem unless we experience a failure? (P.S. intolerable traffic = failure.)
Special Thanks to Contributing Researcher & Writer Crystal Pendergrass, civil engineer/job seeker, and to Contributing Editor, Donald Galligan, AICP, Transportation Planner and all around nice guy.
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