The Crumbling of America (2009)

Throughout world history great civilizations have survived and extended their rule through dependence on great infrastructures Rome had its roads and aqueducts The Mayans had their pyramids and palaces But what happens when society neglects its infrastructure Right now the US infrastructure is collapsing and it impacts every single person in this country In the first half of the 20th century our bridges highways tunnels dams levees ports water and gas pipelines were built during the greatest age of construction the world had ever seen But now these steel and concrete achievements are deteriorating More than 70000 of our nations bridges are rated structurally deficient Massive grid failures have left millions in the dark 25000 miles of commercial navigable waterways and locks have exceeded their 50year design life Everything from dilapidated levees to pipelines to railroads is past their expiration date