The article I am analyzing was
written by Steve Hargreaves for CNN Money.
I have posted a link to his article at the bottom of this page. In his article the author discusses the recent issues regarding the poor
condition of much of our nation’s infrastructure, focusing mostly on projects
that fall under the Department of Transportation. The funding for DOT projects has been at a
steady increase since 2003. Last year
the DOT budget was set at $73 Billion.
It has been estimated by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
that if the deteriorating condition of our infrastructure is not fixed, it could
cost our economy $1.1 trillion a year and 3.5 million jobs.
When I look at this article from
the perspective of the career field I am about to enter, civil engineering, I
feel it is a sign of good things to come.
Civil engineers are responsible for the infrastructure of our
country. The Interstate system and
Hoover Dam are just two of the large projects the civil engineers of our nation
have undertaken. Since those times, not
a lot of funding has been given to maintain those projects, or many others for
that matter. It is time our country once
again puts its resources into ensuring the success and economic independence it
originally sought. Things such as the reconstruction
of our national roadways and water resource treatment and transportation would
go a long ways into improving our country as a whole.
The longer our country waits on
such an issue, the more it is going to cost us.
Every day that we wait to correct the ever deteriorating condition of
our nation’s roadways and pipelines, the more risk and money we lay on the
line. By hiring civil engineers to redo
our nation’s infrastructure, we will save millions of dollars and create
thousands of jobs. Not doing so will
only postpone the inevitable. It is also
estimated by ASCE that it will cost the average American $6,100 a year in
vehicle repairs, wasted fuel, and lost time in traffic if such damages are not
fixed.
If the appropriate funding is given
to fix the infrastructure of our nation, it will be a great day to be a civil
engineer. Many job opportunities will be
created nationwide. Studying engineering
is one of the limited fields that have an increasing demand amongst all of the states
nationwide. Having been neglected for so
many years, our nation’s infrastructures needs serious work. With the help of civil engineers, the ability
to put America back on top of the race for technological and economical
advancements is very real. With no short
part due to those who have brought innovation and new ideas to our field. Civil engineers will never go away as far as
human society is concerned. We are
essential to the luxuries and quality of living most all Americans live
for. With the proper funding and technological
knowledge, civil engineers have the ability to shape a better tomorrow.
I am a construction management major so I can relate to this article and your viewpoints. Once I graduate I very well could be building infrastructure for the Department of Transportation, as well as working with civil engineers to bring innovation to the field. I agree that our nations infrastructure needs work, but with the minds of civil engineers and construction managers I believe it will all be alright in the future.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the upkeep of our current infrastructures is crucial because they can effect that way we transport our products that we create and our ability to access our resources. I am not too sure how the budget that is given to the DOT is distributed but if we are having issues with getting enough funding already, to me it would make sense to be investing in the development of new techniques to make this upkeep cheaper while still maintaining the quality. Do you know of any new technology/methods to do this?
ReplyDeleteI find myself agreeing with Laura, if the profound amount of funds currently providing isn't allowing for proper upkeep of infrastructure, shouldn't new means be developed? Even more so, the load of jobs to be created, would they only be available to those studied in civil engineering?
ReplyDeleteI suppose I'm only advocating for more details here. New jobs are great regardless the specifications - as I'm sure there are those who are qualified to fulfill the requirements (at least, I'm sure there are those who would focus their education to become qualified). I'm just caught up on all the funding provided.