The nation's challenged roads, bridges, rails and ports: 10 projects showing the big-ticket needs

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/interactive/2021/bridges-roads-rail-infrastructure/

The highways built mid-century as an extensive interstate system are hampered these days by outdated road designs that contribute to crashes and congestion. The bridges that are essential connections within urban and rural areas often face costly repairs or replacement. Public transit systems haven’t kept up with growth or changing travel patterns, leaving Americans ever more dependent on cars to get around.

“Somewhere along the way, we stopped investing in ourselves, we stopped investing in our people, and we’ve risked losing our edge as a nation,” Biden said Saturday.

The new money represents the largest investment in building and fixing bridges since construction of the interstate highway system, which began in the 1950s. It also includes what administration officials call the biggest investments in transit and clean electricity transmission in U.S. history. There are tens of billions each for extending passenger rail, replacing lead drinking water pipes and expanding high-speed Internet access.

The funding could support projects from coast to coast to coast: A plan costing only a few million dollars would boost bus service in one smaller community, while another with a multibillion-dollar price tag would spur a massive undertaking to guard cities against rising sea levels. It could also boost plans to overhaul the cramped, century-old rail connections linking New York and New Jersey.

The Washington Post took a look at 10 sites that illustrate urgent needs or ambitious aspirations. In several locations, we did so through the experiences of individuals who greatly understand the impact this infrastructure work could have.

For those with a WaPo subscription, it's an excellent look at 10 major projects with lots of photos and personal stories. There are highways, train tunnels, airports, ports, bridges, dams, flood control, and much more that will make a major difference in people's lives for a long time.

Or as the other party tells it, curb stomping their freedoms under the boots of socialism.

[halfulglas]

1. I hope they have some competent financial watchers watching the contracts for them.

With all that much needing funding going out, we have to keep the scammers out. Otherwise cue the RW messaging - "Waste and abuse."

It's just that with the mismanagement over the last 5 years, not to mention Republican control of congress longer than that, I know so many people who left the Federal work force frustrated and there was reluctance on the part of Republicans to allow new hiring (since they aren't invested in government helping people).

[IronLionZion]

2. They're projecting

considering the no-bid contracts awarded to completely unqualified Trump cronies for COVID supplies, hotels, and more.