Page 27 - Provoke Magazine Vol2

SOURCES:
https://www.artbabridgereport.org/ https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/ uploads/2016/05/2016-FTA-Report-Close-the-Gap. pdf
https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/
Infrastructure is a key part of our economy. It includes everything from the roads we transport goods on with our trucks to the ports and bays essential to shipping interna- tionally. When an infrastructure system falls apart, so does an economy and ultimately a country.
Historically, infrastructure has also been a key part in so- cial programs such as FDR’s “The New Deal”, which included hundreds of stimulus projects to get people working. Most analysts agree that infrastructure investment would heavi- ly increase the number of jobs and boost economic growth by allowing easier trade access throughout the country and with the rest of the world.
Everything from damns to bridges are overdue for up- grades or are reaching their expiration dates. In cities, such as New York, massive projects like the Mario Cuomo bridge (formally the Tappan Zee Bridge) seem to be a promising start to revitalizing our much-needed infrastructure. How- ever, many states are having trouble balancing their budgets and pulling together resources for a major overhaul of their ports, roads, bridges, damns, etc. This would require the need for federal support and aid.
Recently, much of the world’s attention has turned to a bridge collapse in Italy and a pier that gave out in Spain. The devastating toll on life has left many shattered. On top of that, the efforts to rebuild and clean up may wind up costing more than the price to fix the bridge and pier in the first place. These are among just two major accidents that have occurred in a myriad of infrastructure failures across Europe. Here in the United States we may face a future that’s not so different.
A 2018 study found that 54,300 bridges in the US are deemed structurally deficient and with 174 million daily crossings, there’s no telling what could happen. The American Society of Civil Engineers worry that if these problems are not faced by the government soon, we could face major consequences, let alone economic ones.
Many newer engineers also speak to a new side of mod- ern infrastructure. Facebook found Mark Zuckerberg has addressed the failings of our digital infrastructure, as a ma- jor investigation is underway against President Trump and the meddling of Russian hackers in our election. One thing is clear, the need for strong infrastructure is paramount to keeping our economy growing and our people safe.
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