Infastructure

The collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis (a bridge I know pretty well and one with a beautiful view) is obviously one of structural weakness in the bridge itself (the thing was inspected three years ago).

Design defects in bridges are not unknown, but if nothing else it would be good to recognize that this should be a reflection of infrastructure upkeep and maintenance that needs to go on in this country. It was occurring at the time of the collapse. Though one would think "resurfacing" one would think wouldn't have cause it unless there was a big latent problem.

It is a very expensive thing, it is not particularly popular (because it causes traffic delays) it never ends. But it is something that needs to constantly occur...

People always bitch and moan, particularly on the right, about the expense of government. But this is one of the fundamental responsibilities of government that require taxes, the unglamorous, but necessary, job of maintaining and preserving roads and bridges in this country. It cannot be done on the cheap.

And it is something that the Bush Administration...and to be honest most every administration...has far too easily ignored for about thirty years since the general completion of the last massive highway project in this country, the Interstate Highway System.