Infrastructure in the News: May 31, 2010

According to Hattiesburg American it should be invested wisely in transportation and Detroit News wrote in its editorial that lawmakers are considering one-time fixes to avoid losing $475 million in federal road repair dollars next year. More in this Infrastructure in the News.

National News

Media-ite: BP + Katrina + Raw Sewage? Welcome To “The Crumbling of America”
“Bad things happen when an empire allows its infrastructure to decline.” That’s the gist of the History Channel’s terrifying documentary, The Crumbling of America, which ran this morning just to offer some cheery fodder for a holiday weekend. The documenary is from 2009, but it amidst the staggering damage of the BP oil spill it could not be more timely as the nation gapes at the massive catastrophe still unfolding in the Gulf and looks back on how it might have been prevented.

State News

Detroit News: Editorial: Stop-gap
Lawmakers are considering one-time fixes to avoid losing out on $475 million in federal road repair dollars next year. The scheme currently gaining popularity would be to come up with the necessary state matching money by taking it from funds that support state Welcome Centers, snowplowing, roadside mowing and -- most importantly -- infrastructure used to foster new economic development. Maneuvers such as this may be necessary to gain federal dollars this year, but they're not a viable long-term strategy.

Hattiesburg American: Invest wisely in transportation
America's history is marked by significant progress with investment in transportation infrastructure. Early roads sped up mail delivery. The proliferation of steamboats - many of which docked right here in Natchez - quickened the settlement and expansion of the Southern and Midwestern states.