Lisa Idzikowski - Americas Infrastructure

Published in 2019 by Greenhaven Publishing, LLC
353 3rd Avenue, Suite 255, New York, NY 10010

Copyright 2019 by Greenhaven Publishing, LLC First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer.

Articles in Greenhaven Publishing anthologies are often edited for length to meet page requirements. In addition, original titles of these works are changed to clearly present the main thesis and to explicitly indicate the authors opinion. Every effort is made to ensure that Greenhaven Publishing accurately reflects the original intent of the authors. Every effort has been made to trace the owners of the copyrighted material.

Cover image: trekandshoot/Shutterstock.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Idzikowski, Lisa, editor.

Title: Americas infrastructure / Lisa Idzikowski, book editor.

Description: New York : Greenhaven Publishing, [2019] | Series: At issue |

Audience: Grade 9 to 12. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018022302| ISBN 9781534504165 (library bound) | ISBN 9781534504431 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Infrastructure (Economics)United StatesJuvenile literature. | Government spending policyUnited StatesJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC HC110.C3 A5394 2019 | DDC 363.60973dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018022302

Manufactured in the United States of America

Website: http://greenhavenpublishing.com

1 A Quick Look at Roads of the Past and Bridges of the Present
Henry Petroski

2 Infrastructure and Its Supporting Institutions Must Both Be Redesigned
Thaddeus R. Miller

3 Infrastructure Suffers Because Not Everyone Pays a Fair Share of Taxes
Chuck Collins

4 US Infrastructure Must Be Improved and Maintained
The White House

5 Will Contamination of Water by Lead Pipes Be Stopped?
Julia Franz

6 How Many Bridges Will Collapse Before the Infrastructure Is Repaired?
Dave Schaper

7 Overall, Infrastructure Is Not Crumbling
Jeffrey Harding

8 Latin America Must Modernize Its Infrastructure
Marisol Argueta de Barillas

9 Bipartisan Bickering Stalls Infrastructure Improvements
Heidi Crebo-Rediker

10 Multiple Factors Influence Infrastructure Improvement
Douglas C. Smith and Kevin L. Kliesen

11 Efficiency and Private-Sector Innovation Will Improve Infrastructure
James Pethokoukis

12 Urban Planning, Digital Technology, and Smart Cities: The Future Is Near
Michel Sudarskis

13 Local Control of Infrastructure Can Make a Big Difference
Charles Marohn

14 Compared to Other Developed Countries, US Infrastructure Is Outdated
Hiba Baroud

15 Similar Economic Benefits in US and Indian Historical Railroad Development
Dave Donaldson

16 What Are the Costs of Underinvestment in Infrastructure?
Samuel Sherraden and Shayne Henry

17 The Federal Government Could Improve Infrastructure
Charles Marohn

18 President Trumps Infrastructure Plan Wont Save Americas Infrastructure
Eileen Appelbaum

Renewing the nations infrastructure and solving our problems will take collective action. Leaders from all levels of government and the private sector, along with every American, must prioritize closing our infrastructure deficit, commit to a future in which we improve infrastructure, and value it as key to our quality of life and economic prosperity. Every day of delay escalates our shared costs, jeopardizes our health, and risks our securityan option our country, economy and communities can no longer afford.

Former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Greg DiLoreto, in the 2017 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card

I nfrastructure, according to Merriam-Webster, is the underlying structure of a country and its economy, the fixed installations that it needs in order to function. These include roads, bridges, dams, the water and sewer systems, railways and subways, airports, and harbors. Most Americans use some or multiple forms of infrastructure on a daily basis and may take this system for granted. Highways, subways, airplanes, bridges, and public transportation get them to work or school or pretty much anywhere else they might need to go. Water and sewer systems usually provide clean water, and the electrical grid powers everything from digital equipment to the coffee makers used to make peoples favorite morning cup.

It may be easy not to think of infrastructure until something malfunctions, breaks down, or is destroyed, but it is also true that many people are concerned and interested in the topic. Amid the 2017 US presidential campaign, the top two candidatesHillary Clinton and Donald Trumpmade campaign promises about rebuilding Americas infrastructure. Clinton promised to boost federal investment [in infrastructure] by $275 billion over the next five years, and to make sure that by 2020, all Americans had affordable access to the internet.1 After being elected, President Donald Trump promised Americans that

we are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools. Hospitals. Were going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it.1

Various polls conducted before, during, and after the campaign demonstrate that Americans are concerned about the countrys infrastructure and want it fixed and improved. A Gallup poll in spring of 2016 showed that 75% of those polled agreed that the federal government should spend more money to fix the countrys infrastructure,3 and a spring 2017 poll by CNN demonstrated that 79% of surveyed Americans favor a boost in infrastructure spending.4

Professionals are also concerned about the condition of American infrastructure. Since 1998, and every four years thereafter, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has issued and published a report card detailing the state of American infrastructure. Sixteen categories of public works including aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, ports, public parks and recreation, rail, roads, schools, solid waste, transit, and wastewater systems are judged on performance and capacity, and then given a letter grade. From an average score of D in 1998, to the latest D+ in 2017, according to civil engineers Americas infrastructure is aging, underperforming, and in need of sustained care and action.5

Not surprisingly, the topic of Americas infrastructure swirls in controversy. While the ASCE strongly suggests that the system is in dire shape and that upgrades, improvements, and investments must be made, other groups and individuals dispute the ASCEs findings. These controversies take many forms: proponents insist on building, expanding, repairing, and upgrading Americas infrastructure system. Arguments for additional work cite a variety of lost opportunities if the US doesnt fix its infrastructure, prepare for future needs, and remain competitive with the rest of the world. According to the ASCE, the US stands to suffer $7 trillion in lost business sales by 2025; and 2.5 million lost American jobs (and) on top of those costs, hardworking American families will lose upwards of $3,400 in disposable income each year - about $9 each day.