In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave American infrastructure a D+ grade report. This group of well-trained engineers cited the absence of investment and delayed maintenance across most categories as two of the many reasons why our system was graded so low.
Unveiled in his recent State of the Union Address, one of President Donald Trump’s 2018 bigger, better and best initiatives is a complete $1.5 trillion overhaul of the American infrastructure system.
“We will build gleaming new roads, bridges, highways, railways and waterways across our land,” Trump said.
One can only hope Trump knows infrastructure is more than just roads bridges, highways, railways and waterways. It’s the repair of the molding, dilapidated schools millions of children are forced to go to. It’s the total fix of toxic pipe systems like those in Flint, Michigan. It’s the revitalization of some of our most prized landmarks and cities all around the country. How can America truly progress if the place where we create and master our future is stuck in the past?
American infrastructure has been crumbling for years, and time after time various administrations have done little to nothing to truly get the wheels turning on the issue.
Trump striking a deal on this would not only fulfill a campaign promise, but also be a landmark achievement for both political parties. Both parties have always tried branding themselves as the patrons of the revitalization of the American infrastructure system. Both parties want to be praised for upgrading societal enterprise and providing jobs and income to middle and lower-class workers.
The fact that the U.S. has received a low rating on infrastructure from the ASCE continually since 1998 proves party branding has been far from party execution.
Some might argue that the amount of time it would take, as well as the absolute uncertainty of the actual amount of money needed is reason enough to be skeptical about an infrastructure plan. It is true that it could and will take decades to really make monumental strides in repairing and upgrading infrastructure, especially in some of the country’s most populated areas.
This is very agreeable considering a $1.5 trillion budget must require some magic and fairy dust. Lawmakers on both sides agree more funding has to come from somewhere to truly do something useful.
Trump is on the right track, for once. The benefits of having a new landscape that is internationally competitive and functionally beautiful is definitely worth the cost and wait.
Frankly speaking, Trump needs to do his homework on what will truly be the best route for fixing this problem. As for Congress, there is no excuse for all Democrats and Republicans not to come to the table and do what’s best for all Americans.
Justin Franklin is an 18-year-old political communication freshman from Memphis, Tennessee.