Infrastructure

We cannot wait

We took a tour focusing on photography in Hawai’i today, though one of us was doing water colour painting rather than photography. It was glorious, rewarding, humbling to see others’ work, and a well deserved day around the whole of the O’ahu. I will include a photograph I already love from Pipeline beach where the waves were intimidating.

Returning to Honolulu, we saw a four car train operating above the highway, evidence of the Honolulu ‘Highline’, I believe it is called, finally operating. It has taken fifty years to complete this project. That timeline is increasingly how long major public works require, because of funding problems, seemingly inevitable court challenges, and poor responses by contractors either due to mismanagement, technical difficulties, or other problems. These delays and the poor quality of our infrastructure contribute to public distrusted frustrations with government at all levels. $10 billion dollars for 10 miles is similarly unsustainable.

In Thailand last week, the Bangkok ‘sky train’ was a surprisingly good, clean, and efficient system in a city with ample policy problems and rampant corruption. I confess I don’t know what the system cost nor the absolute kevel of corruption I am sure milked the Bangkok system. Thai military corruption is legendary. But, I know that hundreds of thousands of Bangkokers ride the Sky Train.

The pity of our infrastructure embarrassments is psychological, environmental, civic, and international. These matter as we are failing ourselves. Some would argue that privatizing new airports or HOT lanes or transportation projects is the way to go. Perhaps but they must remain public annd open to anyone even as we struggle with so much in how we see the nation’s future.

The Biden-initiated infrastructure spending ought help but these problems noted arise beyond money. We seem to differ on what infrastructure is to do—figure it out, people. Engage, folks, or be left behind. We seem to file suit over every question even though we have a mediocre record on climate change—figure it out as we have no where else to go. We also seem to add every single bell and whistle to each project—is the good really the enemy of the best??

Thoughts welcome as I am frustrated. I suspect you are too when caught in traffic or at an airport where delays occur due to ancient systems. Rebuttals also welcome. Thank you for reading the topic but it matters a great deal and we are failing badly. Superpowers have to address infrastructure like anyone else,people.

Be well and be safe. FIN