ASCE confirms US infrastructure deteriorating

iamthewalrus109 · 03-09-2005, 12:50 PM

The American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2005 Report Card on American Infrastructure. Well folks, we recieved a D, down from a D+ in 2001. This type of validation is really cogent given the expenses that are now going into building Iraq's infrastructure, much of which is being blown up once it's completed. This report, albeit a bit picky, confirms many of the claims made by the Democrats during the presidential election. I didn't need a report to tell me how bad the roads are, but it certainly hammers home the point that our country is crumbling before our eyes. It's time to start worrying about America.

-Walrus

Troubleshooter · 03-09-2005, 12:59 PM

It's been time for a long time now.

xoxoxoBruce · 03-09-2005, 05:09 PM

Don’t forget collapsing bridges and bursting dams are what keeps the media wealthy and justifies the expense of the news choppers.
Police chases and traffic patrol hardly pays for the fuel in those babies.

russotto · 03-09-2005, 07:12 PM

It's all the highway funds being diverted into mass transit, where instead of building infrastructure they are used to placate public sector unions who already have better salaries and benefits than any similar positions in the private sector.

Griff · 03-09-2005, 08:05 PM

Isn't having the ASCD tell us to increase spending on bridges a little like having the NEA tell us to increase spending on schools?

iamthewalrus109 · 03-10-2005, 09:56 AM

Sure there is an issue of bias concerning ASCE, but not to the degree the NEA would. ASCE is hardly that politicized, and civil engineers are not in a lurch for work. Taking even the mildest bias into consideration, the US rates a C- at best. Accordingly, there are public officials that make comments in the report, most noteably the mayor of Cleveland. With this type of report, and the future of Urban renewal block grants in jeapordy due to GW's proposed tax cuts and flimsy budget, one has to wonder, how the hell can America keep moving.

-Walrus

Beestie · 03-10-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

Isn't having the ASCD tell us to increase spending on bridges a little like having the NEA tell us to increase spending on schools?

Sort of except that broken bridges can be fixed.

And russoto's point is graphically illustrated in Northern VA where instead of fixing some severe traffic choke points that would alleviate a lot of rush hour backups (simple ones like widening various exit ramps), they can't piss enough money away on Metro. Its so messed up you just couldn't believe someone isn't making it up.

03-09-2005, 12:50 PM	#1
iamthewalrus109 High Propagandist Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 111	ASCE confirms US infrastructure deteriorating The American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2005 Report Card on American Infrastructure. Well folks, we recieved a D, down from a D+ in 2001. This type of validation is really cogent given the expenses that are now going into building Iraq's infrastructure, much of which is being blown up once it's completed. This report, albeit a bit picky, confirms many of the claims made by the Democrats during the presidential election. I didn't need a report to tell me how bad the roads are, but it certainly hammers home the point that our country is crumbling before our eyes. It's time to start worrying about America. -Walrus

03-09-2005, 12:59 PM	#2
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	It's been time for a long time now. __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

03-09-2005, 05:09 PM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Don’t forget collapsing bridges and bursting dams are what keeps the media wealthy and justifies the expense of the news choppers. Police chases and traffic patrol hardly pays for the fuel in those babies. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

03-09-2005, 08:05 PM	#5
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Isn't having the ASCD tell us to increase spending on bridges a little like having the NEA tell us to increase spending on schools? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

03-10-2005, 09:56 AM	#6
iamthewalrus109 High Propagandist Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 111	ASCE report still makes a good point Sure there is an issue of bias concerning ASCE, but not to the degree the NEA would. ASCE is hardly that politicized, and civil engineers are not in a lurch for work. Taking even the mildest bias into consideration, the US rates a C- at best. Accordingly, there are public officials that make comments in the report, most noteably the mayor of Cleveland. With this type of report, and the future of Urban renewal block grants in jeapordy due to GW's proposed tax cuts and flimsy budget, one has to wonder, how the hell can America keep moving. -Walrus

03-09-2005, 07:12 PM	#4
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	It's all the highway funds being diverted into mass transit, where instead of building infrastructure they are used to placate public sector unions who already have better salaries and benefits than any similar positions in the private sector.

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