Is America getting old?

We're always talking about strengthening the infrastructure of developing countries to solve some of the unfinished business of the Millennium Development Goals, but now U.S. infrastructure is in the spotlight due to the recent collapse of the I35W bridge into the Mississippi River. Most of the infrastructure in this country was build after World War II and it would seem that one quarter of U.S. bridges need major repair and overhaul. Yet, in our typically American fashion we must have a disaster or two to bring spotlight to the troubles we should have been anticipating all along.

One of the reasons why this country has succeeded in its development other than the brilliance of its forefathers and the Constitution they created, is the fact that because it was largely unsettled* at the time of the industrial revolution and the advent of superior technology in the 20th century, it had the opportunity to lay down infrastructure and implement planned city building. Unlike much older European countries and India, civil engineers do not have to dig down beneath already existing development to lay down pipes for sewage or have to forcefully disassemble makeshift towns or slums to lay down a planned grid for a city.

However, the ground breaking infrastructure like the bridges and freeway system that began to connect America and lead to the suburban sprawl after WWII, the infrastructure of this country is getting old and is in need of a major makeover. The freeways are increasingly becoming inefficient as well, as population surges are taking place in major cities across the country resulting in congestion, gridlock, and contributing to carbon emissions. Cities require billions of dollars to improve upon, or in the case of Los Angeles, implement alternatives to our dependence on car travel by seriously investing in public transit systems. At a time when a large chunk of our GDP goes toward Defense spending and billions are spent on an unwarranted war every year, health, education and infrastructure have been left wanting of federal moneys.

In the last 231 years this country has built up a republic unrivaled in human history, however, it would seem that along with our projected decline as a world superpower with the rising of the two giants, China and India in the next 50 years, our infrastructure along with our lead on cutting edge technology, education, and integrity is deteriorating as fast as President Bush's approval ratings. It is past time this country start demanding that our leaders prioritize what is important to our country's future. Can we start with the bridges and the transit system please, L.A. traffic is intolerable. But at least there are no honking horns a la India.

*By unsettled I certain do not mean to disregard the indigenous people of this country, rather to suggest that mass urban settlements had not yet occurred.


Source: Boston.com


Source: New York Times.com


To watch a video of the bridge collapsing visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjCic0YlJwQ
(Blogger won't let me post a video!)