American Infrastructure-Now or Never

Because of the poor state of the economy the care American infrastructure has been ignored, which poses a danger to everyone that come in contact with it. Recent disasters have reminded many how important the care of American infrastructure is. America’s infrastructure gets a grade of “D” from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which recommends that we spend $2.2 trillion on repairs and maintenance. “Much of America is held together by Scotch tape, bailing wire and prayers,” says director of the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. But with the country no longer swimming but drowning in debt the upkeep of things such as roads and bridges, which we use every
Steam pipe explosions in Midtown Manhattan last summer killed one and disrupted many. In March 2006 the Kaloko Reservoir dam in Hawaii collapsed killing seven and causing $15 million in damages. In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina the levees holding back Lake Pontchartrain gave way killing more than a thousand. Imperative calls have been made to prevent anymore catastrophes due to failing infrastructure but not much has been done. Money is still being put into things like defense which many politicians feel is more important. But if we keep neglecting our own home we may have nothing but half mangled buildings to defend. “Our leaders are looking for solutions to the nation’s current economic crisis. Not only could investment in these critical foundations have a positive impact, but if done responsibly, it would also provide tangible benefits to the American people, such as reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality, clean and abundant water supplies and protection against natural hazard.” ASCE President D. Wayne Klotz stated. A report from Kansas City Missouri based HNTB corp. found that 74 percent of Americans would be willing to spend more on various transportation expenses or taxes if the money was put toward long-term transportation improvements. More than half (58 percent) of Americans would pay more each month, an average of thirteen dollars per month, to reduce