The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, seemed sudden and unbelievable. What is astonishing, however, is that experts have been warning for years that the bridge was not structurally sound and likely to collapse from a direct collision with a ship.
As early as 1980, engineers warned that the bridge would not be able to withstand a direct hit from a cargo ship because of the way it was designed. The bridge had nothing around its support pillars to act as a buffer in the case of a collision. But during construction, spending more money to ensure the bridge’s strength was not deemed economically feasible and so concerns were ignored. A bridge in Baltimore may seem like an anomaly, but the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge highlights pressing issues with infrastructure all across the US. It’s not just bridges that need repairs and funding; it’s also 1 in 5 roads.
According to Oxford Languages, infrastructure is defined as “the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.” Therefore, infrastructure issues range significantly. Many areas of the country still receive water through lead pipes, the use of which is considered dangerous at any level of exposure and can lead to irreversible health issues. Public transportation in many major cities is underfunded and overcrowded, and uses unrenewable fuel sources instead of environmentally friendly ones. Internet access also falls under the umbrella of infrastructure, the lack of which continues to cripple many schools across the country. The list goes on.
Clearly, improving U.S. infrastructure is not just a measure of reinforcing a few major bridges. It is a complete overhaul of the systems we are familiar with today. It has been proven that there is a connection between infrastructure improvements and economic growth. According to a study done by Research Gate, there is a direct correlation between investments in highway repairs and the reversal of income inequality. Unfortunately, such improvements would require trillions of dollars and years of work.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was signed in late 2021, providing 550 billion dollars for use in a diverse range of projects until 2026. Although this has helped to improve certain aspects of public infrastructure, it isn’t enough. We should ensure that improving public roads, buildings, power lines, and other public facets of society becomes a routine part of the functioning of our country. We should not let disasters like a major bridge collapsing be what pushes us towards change and reform.