Science is advancing day by day. But the roads built in the country recently are far inferior to old ones. Why

Answer 1

Engineering were run by engineers but now run by accountants.

Answer 2

Our Interstate Highways, for example, were designed and engineered to handle a certian amount of traffic and to bear vehicles up to a certain weight.

Almost as soon as these roads were built, the number of cars travelling them increased tenfold or more. Businesses that once shipped product by rail began putting huge, heavy trucks on the roads. The actual use of the roads far outstripped their design parameters.

Even new roads have this problem. We have a knack for beating even ridiculously high traffic estimates, causing even new roads to age quickly.

A road a hundred years ago never had to carry more weight than a couple of horses and a cart. Even so, the idea that those roads were pristine and pothole free is an idealized fantasy. Roads between cities didn't even exist, in a form you'd understand and be able to use...

Answer 3

well ok I'll chime in and agree with some previous posters - the ever present force of economics is at play - we used to have a saying in the army - remember your primary weapon system was manufactured by the lowest bidder - same thing with roads - i disagree that the methods / materials are FAR superior - because as you try to squeeze more road out of a smaller budget you have to make compromises - look at Germany - they have great roads - why - they don't skimp on materials or methods or standards - and their maintenance is impeccable

if we would just do things right the first time it would be cheaper in the long run - I don't think it's beyond our capabilities to engineer and construct an adequate road - the problem is that the taxpayers (and politicians looking to get re-elected) don't want to pay the price to build a road properly anymore

Answer 4

The materials and methods used today are superior to those used in the past. The problem with deteriorating infrastructure is that it was never designed for the traffic we are experiencing and maintenance or replacement is being deferred. The great transportation boom was in the 50's and 60's and most of those facilities are near the end of their practical life and we lack the governmental committment to replace them.

Answer 5

As has been previously mentioned... roads used to be built by engineers, now they are built by under-funded departments with people making huge bonuses by saving money. not a good state of affairs.

Answer 6

Environmental laws have made if more difficult to build new roads. It takes less than a year to design a project. It takes years and years to get environmental permits.

The simplest jobs takes all sorts of bureaucratic environmental clearances.

Answer 7

Wimafrobor has got it dead right.
Accountants have played a major part in the decline of engineering standards and output in this country.

Answer 8

Because Science is not taught the way it is supposed to be. No wonder why humans are primitives in the whole universe.

Answer 9

they are using worse materials for them and also not sorting them out once work has been done underneath them

Answer 10

cutbacks, no money/ budget, etc, etc, blah, blah