A nearly failing D+ grade doesn’t bode well in any scenario. Unfortunately, that’s the grade the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave US infrastructure based on its physical condition and needed investments to bring the grade up to a B, or a state of good repair.
Most Americans don’t remember a time before roads, running water, and electricity, nor think twice about the infrastructure that makes it all possible. That means infrastructure is working as it should, or so you may think. Even though you can’t always see it, infrastructure in the US is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to its severe underfunding and lack of maintenance. A strong and robust infrastructure network is a matter of your health and security, a booming economy, and environmental sustainability. Here’s what you need to know:
What exactly is infrastructure?
Infrastructure is a catch-all term that encompasses more visible structure like roads, power lines, and water reservoirs. It also includes non-visible structures like broadband Internet access and structures not often considered as infrastructure, like airports, public parks, and even schools. Essentially, it’s anything that is intended for public use.
Though this broad definition allows everyone to agree on its importance, the consensus is misleading. Presenting infrastructure as a monolith makes it harder for the less visible components to get the funding and attention they need. While infrastructure like roads and rails enjoy nearly unanimous support in its renewal, investing in equally vital yet less visible services like water and wastewater management shouldn’t be neglected.
What does this have to do with the environment?
It has everything to do with the environment. Infrastructure is the built environment; it’s all around you, provides you with resources you need for survival, and influences how you interact with the natural environment.
However, because of its complexity and broad range of services, infrastructure has varying relationships with the environment.
Climate change makes some infrastructure more vulnerable. Likely in our lifetimes, rising sea levels will submerge low-lying coastal areas which will impact transit, energy, and water management amongst other complications. In November 2020, Tropical Storm Eta submerged roads in South Florida beneath nearly a foot and a half of rain. Roads are vital not just for travel but for emergency response. Rising sea levels also threaten nearly every naval and Air Force base on the East Coast, which will need to either be closed, relocated, or protected at great expense.
Aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta in South Florida, via Miami Herald
The built environment can also contaminate the natural resource it is supposed to provide. Many of the pipes that bring water to 90% of the population were built nearly a century ago, and are now reaching the end of their life cycles. This not only results in pipe breaks that cost money and water; these outdated pipes also pollute the drinking water with contaminants like lead, posing public health concerns.
This is an issue of environmental racism, as communities of color are more likely to face these infrastructure failures.
Some infrastructure even exacerbates climate change. While structures like public transportation and renewable energy can help reduce our carbon footprint, infrastructure also includes crude oil pipelines that encourage the use of these fossil fuels. The longer we continue to invest in fossil fuel, the more difficult it will be to combat climate change.
What’s being done about it?
Frustratingly, not enough.
Today, the federal government only funds 25% of public infrastructure, down from 38% in 1977 when the census first started tracking this data. This puts the burden on state and local governments to find ways to finance projects themselves. These projects are increasingly reliant on public-private partnerships where the government contracts a private firm to build a highway, for example. The private firm can set up toll gates to generate the funds necessary to maintain this structure.
Highway with private tolls, via US Department of Transportation
While this is an efficient way to finance projects, profit is prioritized over serving the public. Increased federal spending will help more equitable allocation of funding for projects because they can afford to spend in a deficit.
In terms of legislative activity, the US House of Representatives passed a $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan in July. It included funding for roads and bridges, water decontamination, and both public and commercial transit systems. The hope is that not only will these projects create jobs, but also boost the economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the bill likely will not see the light of day due to Republican representatives viewing it as too climate-focused and co-opted by the Democrats as a “partisan wishlist.” These tensions exist not just between the two parties, but also the federal and state governments in terms of implementing needed funding and planning of infrastructure.
What is left to be done?
A lot. Right now the US can take advantage of low interest rates. This makes it favorable for local and state governments to borrow money and to spend on infrastructure projects. Additionally, with millions of people needing employment and the economy in shambles, investing in infrastructure will spur economic growth as well.
In terms of planning, the very way these systems are being built need to be reconsidered. Infrastructure should serve the public rather than prioritize profit. The onus is also on planners and engineers to prioritize the social and environmental needs of people, not just the technical and financial considerations.
Ultimately, the burden to be sustainable falls on everyone. Putting infrastructure higher on the to-do list is also going to require increased public awareness and pressure. Don’t you want a say in the structures that govern your everyday life?
Done effectively, investing in infrastructure will generate social, economic, and environmental benefits. It’s a win-win-win situation, but we have to act now.