The Summer of Infrastructure

The Feds are urging to have immediate inspections of all steel deck truss bridges like the one in Minneapolis. In New Jersey, they are already talking about checking out the Pulaski Skyway (see above).

"The only problem is the Pulaski Skyway is about 30 years older," Corzine said, emphasizing there's no indication the skyway is unsafe. Rather, he used it as an example of New Jersey's aging infrastructure.

First the steam pipes, then the bridges. It is interesting to hear people talking about the infrastructure that they are discovering all around us. It will be equally interesting to hear serious and realistic conversations about the tradeoffs involved in maintaining existing infrastructure versus replacements, and policies that might save lives but inconvenience travelers and commuters.