Our bridge builders could learn from the Romans and Chinese
Editor, the Record:
Ponte Milvio is a bridge that spans the Tiber River in Rome. Built in 206 B.C., it was visited by Nero around 60 A.D. in the evenings to partake in his debaucheries. In 312 A.D., Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius there. I crossed it in a tourist bus in 2003, 2,209 years after it was built — just as people continue to do today. How did the Romans build great roads, bridges, aqueducts and buildings that have lasted thousands of years and we can't build structures to last 100 years?
The 4,000-mile Great Wall in China is the world's longest human-made structure, with some sections more than 2,000 years old. Another great ancient civilization that knew how to build lasting structures. Will the wall that is being built between Mexico and the United States last 2,000 years?
Whenever I go on summer vacation I know exactly when I've re-entered Pennsylvania (even if I am asleep). The ride immediately becomes rough, bouncy and loud.
Gov. Rendell recently advocated selling the Pennsylvania Turnpike to raise money for other Pennsylvania roads. Maybe we should go further and sell all Pennsylvania's roads to either the Romans or the Chinese. They obviously have the ability to build an infrastructure that can last. Does anyone believe that the money raised from the turnpike sale would be used to fix roads in their hometown?
Forty-two thousand people die in car accidents every year in America. Better roads and bridges can reduce that terrible statistic. Government can help people because the people are the government!
Someone said something about "government of the people, by the people, and for the people." We've just temporarily lost that knowledge. We need to make and implement ethical decisions to improve our infrastructure for the safety of our people.