Highways and Byways

Today’s new stimulus package with regards to new construction and infrastructure sparks an interest in my mind. Such projects are designed to create new jobs, strengthen highways and byways, as well as create long-term structures that are built to last. Having spent summers laying driveways, sidewalks, and other similar projects, a few things in terms of “long-run improvements” become questionable with the methods we use here in the United States. Our opinion of long-term investment, for roads anyways, here in the U.S. is a stretch to say they will last ten or more years. Whereas places such as France and England; an investment in such a project that will last sometimes three times as long.
My argument begins with the research of England’s department of works and engineering. Such methods of construction used in England are designed and actually hold their value for thirty or more years from the time of completion. Roads, bridges, and walkways are only as good as the ground they are built on. From the persons I have spoken with as well as the readings that coincide, England in particular, are far more advanced in terms of spending more initially for construction and far less often. With the extra monies spent on materials and labor up front, it allows for a lot less spending overall, and specifically far less frequently on reoccurring issues. Complex methods of compacting sub grades and base prep such as coarse gravels and crushed stone allows for the implantation of an asphalt road way that does not need to be replaced every ten years; a true long-term investment.
We in the United States travel on roads that are far from comfortable each day. Whether it is frost heaves, washouts, pot holes, or deteriorating road conditions, we as American’s pay top dollar for such roads, as well as top dollar to get out automobiles fixed when the shocks, struts, or breaks go. If billions of dollars from this stimulus package will be dispersed throughout the country for road improvements and new infrastructure, shouldn’t these projects last? I find myself asking questions as to why we invest in such projects that are anything but long-term. Although initial cost for a place like England are far more alarming, have we ever stopped to look at how much money is lost due to poor construction and poor planning?
If companies need funding and bailout plans, it simply means what they we offering prior did not fully meet the needs our structure. Construction follows along the same line. Roads that cost millions and billions of dollars each year should probably be reassessed. There are other countries out there, such as England, who realized what is needed to be done in order to not spend outstanding amounts of money every ten years. Monies allocated for roadways and similar construction project are suppose to be considered long-term investments, not something that needs to be addressed only ten years after the fact. We as the United States have the capability and influence to create a more permanent method of travel that can endure the tough weather and ware from constant travel and salt applications. The one question I ask is, why haven’t we?