The history of infrastructure here in America is a long and complicated one that today is directly associated with the economy. In general, the definition of infrastructure refers to the basic physical types of systems of any given geographical business area or region along with related systems that tie the nation together.
Although the average citizen reading the news today may think of infrastructure as simply the roads and bridges that transverse the country, it is really much more than that. In fact, most of the funding for infrastructure in recent decades allots very little of that capital investment for roadways and the bridges that are necessary to cross certain troublesome landmasses and waterways.
What Exactly Does the Infrastructure in America Mean or Look Like?
The infrastructure is made up of those basic physical systems that are necessary to support and grow a country’s economic development crucial for the nation’s overall prosperity. Some of the main systems of infrastructure include things like the nation’s many water supply facilities that includes water and waste treatment centers. It also includes facilities related to our nation’s transportation systems such as train stations, airports and various facilities designed to support these transportation systems.
In the past, some have considered the infrastructure to be those systems defined above that are supported with public funding. However, the public may have very different ideas on what these actual systems are and who owns them. For example, while most Americans believe that our country’s electrical and communications systems are included in infrastructure owned and operated by the government, many of these facilities are actually owned and operated by private parties.
America’s Infrastructure and Politics Related to Funding
Politicians and other government agents tend to include other infrastructure systems needed for the country to operate business and life in a safe, meaningful and productive manner. This may include things like housing access, our nation’s food supply facilities, public safety and protective systems and facilities, oversight and support of parts of the country’s large healthcare network and its supportive systems, public educational systems and more.
Lately, politicians have been trying to implement other technologies into the infrastructure funding for the country. These are things related to climate control, soil erosion, clean energy technologies and facilities along with many others. While the average citizen may be thinking that the government is going to fix their regional roadway pothole, sinkhole or coastline erosion problems, the funding that the politicians are promising may account for very little of what actually gets allotted towards these problems.
The Changing Face of Infrastructure in the United States Through the Years
Did you know that the government has been involved in funding transportation infrastructure systems since its very beginning? In fact, the very first infrastructure project was in Virginia Beach, VA, with the building of the Cape Henry Lighthouse here way back in 1789.
It should be noted that the public was not very involved in plans for our country’s infrastructure until around the 1980s although there were many public infrastructure projects related to transportation and other areas in the 1930s and 1940s.
The face of America’s infrastructure has dramatically changed since its beginning, and infrastructure continues to change with the times. While the first transportation systems involved ships and the shipping industries, as more people settled in remote areas across the land, other infrastructure systems emerged.
Railroads began to connect people and goods and helped smaller towns and rural areas to trade and travel with larger and more profitable urban cities situated far away. Large water reserve dams and treatment facilities became important in the country’s infrastructure. However, a growing population has drastically reduced the country’s water supplies and other important resources needed for daily living and business operations.
With the development of automobiles, interest turned towards building better highways and roadways that could support travel and the exchange of goods throughout the country. Airport systems then emerged later, and today is included in infrastructure public talks and meetings designed to inform and involve the public on infrastructure projects especially when government funding is needed to support these efforts.
There can be confusion between how the public thinks about infrastructure and how the politicians think about these important issues. It remains important for the citizens to do their own research on these proposed future projects. Citizens should hold their elected officials accountable for explaining these measures fully.
Development, Upkeep and Other Support Measures of Infrastructure Has Become Expensive and Vast
While there has always been some talk directed towards the public related to infrastructure here in America throughout its long and storied history, today’s complex infrastructure requires much more funding, time and effort to develop, maintain and support. This is a complex topic, and ultimately this funding, often amounting to billions of dollars, comes from the taxpayers across the nation though increased taxes and other fees.
As new political parties take control over a region or the federal government, infrastructure funding tends to change. This is because Americans have differing views on what should be paid for with public funds and what should be paid for by private parties.
These controversial additions to infrastructure policies include things like childcare, for workers like other countries have done, private educational costs paid for with government funds and others. The incoming politicians may attempt to include their platform’s issues into the overall infrastructure funding plans thereby changing the amount and division of passed legislative funding related to infrastructure.
Often, portions of the country’s infrastructure are owned by both private parties with the government invested in certain parts or a hybrid ownership is formed. Private ownership of infrastructure elements sometimes causes issues when monopolies begin to raise prices that then impact the economy. This is when the government may begin to become more involved at least with the oversight of these companies and entities.
Some Final Thoughts Related to Infrastructure
Infrastructure will continue to be a controversial topic moving forward. Citizens should become more informed as government funding ultimately impacts their life and pockets directly through taxes and other means.