Posted on 06/27/2007 8:01:19 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
As with many mechanical / engineered artifacts, they function fairly well when they are at their tolerance point. However, once a tolerance boundary is traversed, then collapse is around the corner. We have had the fortune to have a country that in the last century built solid infrastructure that has lasted and served us well. That period is coming to an end. To site one example that has been mentioned before, the electrical grid often operates very close to its failure point. Only due to the extraordinary efforts of the operations staff of the major utilities do things keep running smoothly. However, a few significant failures of key components could easily push the grid over the edge. Many dams and bridges are in the same parlous state, kept safe only by dedicated operators. You may not 'see' the problems, but I can guarantee you, they are out there.
The expense is going to be mind-boggling. A six-mile stretch of I-10 is being widened from four to eight lanes at Tucson. Three years, $220 Million. And that’s before delays and cost overruns.
Of course, and bridges and roads are rebuilt all the time. Does anyone seriously drive down the highway and wonder, “Gee, I wonder if the next bridge is going to collapse?”
“Gee, I wonder if the next bridge is going to collapse?”
....
Yes, this is our infrastructure that worries me the most.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.