Dozens of Major Bridges Lack Shields to Block Wayward Ships
New York TimesMAR 20 2024
US Coast Guard Begins Bridge Inquiry After Baltimore Collapse
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The Spin
Left narrative
At the root of the Baltimore bridge collapse lies the endemic underfunding of infrastructure in the US, which will continue to magnify the consequences of disasters like the one in Baltimore. For decades, leaders in government and business have warned that a lack of investment in vital infrastructure will wreak havoc down the road, as regulators failed to keep up with the ever-growing scale of sea transport.
Right narrative
Instead of hosting an endless parade of hearings and committees on this disaster, America should turn to the private sector for solutions. The cumbersome process for winning contracts has made the US home to some of the most expensive and mediocre infrastructure projects in the developed world. Public-private partnerships would allow faster and cheaper constructions with the latest and safest materials, all without the need for red tape.