Infrastructure Shortfall

The impending crisis of American infrastructure renewal results from the congruence of a number of factors. The rhythm of building over the past 100 years or so has left heavy rebuilding requirements in this decade. Political convenience has encouraged building new works rather than caring for existing facilities. The institutional arrangements of finance and professionalism also have led to extending systems rather than maintaining and repairing them. Finally, rebuilding sometimes is much more expensive than building anew. The creation of new institutions with an appreciation for this history seems an important part of turning the situation around.