On the road to ruin - How America's infrastructure is failing
You’ve heard it before: America’s infrastructure is failing. Well, almost. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reiterated its nearly-failing grade for the country’s vital infrastructure: a D+.
The ASCE report comes out once every four years, and has become a familiar bearer of bad news. But the state of the country’s roads were the standout piece of bad news in 2017.
The report found that $2 trillion would be needed over the next 10 years to get US roads back in fighting shape.
[Image: Fortune]
And there’s more reason to do that than just a smoother drive. From the report:
More than two out of every five miles of America’s urban interstates are congested and traffic delays cost the country $160 billion in wasted time and fuel in 2014.
One out of every five miles of highway pavement is in poor condition and roads have a significant and increasing backlog of rehabilitation needs.
After years of decline, traffic fatalities increased by 7% from 2014 to 2015, with 35,092 people dying on America’s roads.
President Donald Trump’s plan to spend big on infrastructure may offer some much-needed relief. However, there are some concerns over his plan to try to build infrastructure like toll roads that would pay for itself, rather than just putting up the money.
What many experts are arguing for is far less 'spectacular' than revenue-generating megaprojects, but could save more money for taxpayers in the long-term: repairing the roads that already exist.
This article was written by:
- Nicolas Rapp, Information Graphics Designer, Fortune
- Anne VanderMey, Associate Editor, Fortune
This article is published in collaboration with Fortune.
Please find the original article here.
--Future of Construction 16:27, 15 Jun 2017 (BST)
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Which room is the most fun to design? Find out the 'Grand Designs' presenter's unusual choice in our interview.
Full suite of speakers are announced for this year's BSRIA Briefing event.
Book your place for the Architectural Technology Awards 2018.
There are many ways of classifying types of building. Have a look at our range of building articles.
BSRIA have launched the 'major update' of the go-to design framework guide for building services.
How to get results with building life cycle assessment.
Government publishes a prospectus inviting proposals for new 'garden communities'.
The Morandi motorway bridge in Genoa collapses during rainstorm while undergoing maintenance works.
'Developed design' is a phrase coined by the RIBA for their 2013 Plan of Work. But what does it actually mean?
New green paper published aiming to rebalance the relationship between landlords and residents and tackle stigma.
RIBA calls for a comprehensive ban on combustible materials.