The Cost of America’s Aging Infrastructure
by Bryan Gee, P.E., on August 27, 2018
The recent bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy brings renewed focus to our own aging infrastructure here in the United States – where over 9% of the nation’s bridges are structurally-deficient for daily traffic volumes. But it’s not just the bridges. Nearly seven out of every 100 miles of roadways are in poor condition nationwide.
The problem extends beyond safety concerns. As many of the nation’s roadways and structures date back to the 1950s, aging infrastructure affects most people on a daily basis. At best, commuters experience increased traffic congestion or vehicle damage. At worst, they’re left stranded by insufficient public transportation capacity or wounded in bridge and roadway failures.
Donald Trump has proposed a $1.5 trillion transportation plan to improve aging infrastructure across the United States. If passed, this investment would represent only the second federal long-term funding solution in nearly 15 years. That’s a staggering gap that grows each and every year that a roadway is pushed beyond its design life.
Today’s infrastructure was not designed for the growing population. Roadways and bridges are declining at exponential rates as daily traffic volumes exceed their capacity. It’s a race against time to keep up with growth while awaiting the next federal funding solution – with many companies looking beyond conventional roadway design methods to meet the needs of future generations.
Companies like Tensar Corporation utilize a variety of geosynthetic materials to support traditional pavement materials and extend roadway lifetimes. With less concrete required for increased pavement capacity, these geosynthetic materials reduce construction costs, limit construction traffic and improve roadway safety.
The pavement of the past does not meet the needs of the present – or the future. Tensar is building better roadways with geosynthetic materials, click here to learn more.
Related Article on MSN.com: States that are falling apart - States ranked on infrastructure from best to worst