S. transportation infrastructure is not only an excellent idea, but is very necessary if the U.S. economy is going to survive and continue to be a major global economic superpower (Lindsey, 2007).
Without the highway infrastructure, the U.S. would have been unable to grow as it did in the 1950's and 1960's. The same idea is true for future growth. Since the 1960's there has been little development of the current system and many of the U.S.'s bridges and highways are falling into disrepair as other priorities, like the War in Iraq, have taken priority. But the transportation infrastructure, the skeleton and circulatory system of the U.S. economic body, is vastly important for both economic and political stability and security.
US power plants and the internet infrastructure are grossly outdated. Many scientists estimate that the U.S. power grid could benefit by a savings of as much as 40% of the entire power consumption of the U.S. If it were to upgrade the grid to include the most advanced forms of technology (Lindsey, 2007). Internet communication and connectivity is no longer a luxury in the international economy, it's a necessity. If the U.S. is to compete globally, it needs to provide for the upcoming next wave of technological innovation, where computers, processors, and internet access will be universally available for a very low cost or for free. An upgraded technology infrastructure will help the U.S. To emerge as global leaders in this industry and will also help the nation to keep up with even the most basic technological advancements.
The U.S. road system is breaking down largely in part because it is not a priority. Instead of letting the U.S. highway system rot and lose a huge investment in time and energy, it should be retrofitted and updated to reflect the most up-to-date technologies and ideas about transportation, growth, and the economy (Lindsey, 2007). The U.S. rail system is another backbone of the economy. Without the rail system, goods and products would not be able to move as they do, and the trucks and delivery vehicles that utilize the roads would be put under undue stress. The rail system is not adequate, however, and an expansion and update to include higher speed trains like Europe has would help to increase productivity and efficiency as people move from place to place with speed and ease (Lindsey, 2007). The rail infrastructure could also use a face lift since much of the system was built in the early 20th century, when technology was completely different. Though it may take a decade or so before people in the U.S. realize the gains they are profiting from with the new rail infrastructure, it would be difficult to argue that U.S. citizens would not be against such a program due to the foreign nature of high speed rail transport within the U.S.
Investing in the U.S. transportation infrastructure would pay off many times over. Getting over the initial high cost of updating and grow it is something that is necessary for the country's security both economically and politically. As the economy grows back, more and more industries will begin to tap into this vital resource and unless it is ready for the increase in traffic and the technological developments to come, the U.S. will fall by the wayside, giving up its economic superpower throne to countries more adept at creating the infrastructure they need to survive. It is also important to remember that during the current economic recession, millions of people are looking for work and building supplies are relatively cheap. It would be as good a time as any to begin to rebuild the infrastructures that have helped America become as economically powerful as it has over the past half century. Investing in infrastructure always pays off in the long run, and the U.S. can help to mitigate much of the job loss damage that was created by the 2008 recession by putting people back to work on the new U.S. transportation infrastructure.
References
Lindsey, Robin. (2007). "Transportation infrastructure investments, pricing and gateway competition: Policy considerations." International Conference on Gateways and Corridors, Presentation. Vancouver, Canada.
Rodrigue, Jean-Paul; Comtois, Claude and Brian Slack (2009). The Geography of Transport
Systems. Routledge: New York.
Discussion Board (1 page)
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