Most people are aware that students are not the only ones who receive report cards. Restaurants, businesses, and even professors are graded. However, few people are aware that The United States infrastructure also gets graded. On the most recent report card, issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the United States received a g.p.a. equivalent to a “D” on its infrastructure quality.
Infrastructure: It’s so intrinsic to society that we never think about it. The way we never think about the bones in our body, until they start to break.
That is exactly the way of thinking which has allowed the infrastructure to reach such a poor current condition. The American Society of Civil Engineers has rated infrastructure across the country in 15 different categories ranging from aviation to wastewater, with the average score resulting in a near failing grade.
So what happened?
Most of the infrastructure we see today in the U.S. was built between the 1930’s and 1960’s and has seen very little attention or maintenance. The build-out is reaching the end of its life cycle and operating under loads it was not intended to handle. Also, the amount of funds allocated to maintaining the crucial supports of our country is far less than others. For example, China spends 9% of their GDP on infrastructure, Europe spends 5% and the United States spends a mere 2.4% The combination of design flaws, corrosion and deferred maintenance are all factors for the crumbling empire. Are we the next Rome?
Not quite. Although the United States is below par, very disappointing to say the least, there is hope. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, it will take $2.2 trillion over 5 years to get the country where it should be. That does not include the Department of Transportation’s estimate of $134 to $262 billion required each year through 2035 to improve the nation’s road, rail and air transportation systems. Aware of the situation, President Obama has made infrastructure revitalization a key attribute in his jobs creation package. He believes that the American Jobs Act will “jumpstart thousands of transportation projects across the country.” He has also proposed to spend $90 billion, $50 billion more than what is currently planned, to retrofit or construct 150,000 miles of roads, 4,000 miles of railway and 150 miles of airplane runways.
According to Wayne Klotz, president of the ASCE, “We have all the technology. All we have to do is to decide that it is a priority and get on with doing it.” While I do admire his enthusiasm, this will be a huge project for the United States. Although this is of great importance for the future of the country, the United States is also struggling to keep up with education, healthcare and manufacturing. The question is, which is the most deserving for the immediate allocation of funds?
