Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

[ken_sylvania]

This kind of belongs in the "is the American empire declining?" thread. Empires that can't build bridges are going to have trouble remaining empires. It seems many public works these days end up costing orders of magnitude more than originally quoted and are delivered years or even decades late.

If that's how you decide America is in decline it seems you'd have to conclude that America has been in decline since the 1700s and 1800s.

[R7ehr]

China would have that bridge already built, snd at a small fraction of the cost.

[barnhart]

The Romans were quite good at building bridges but I wouldn't want to live under their empire. Some of the things that slow infrastructure construction are the humane elements of society. Similarly with China. They also built entire cities of apartments and tear them down before they are lived in. The cost to the average worker/peasant is not a consideration.

[JimFoxvog]

China would have that bridge already built, snd at a small fraction of the cost.

By people who get paid very little, ignoring environmental damage--but yes, Maryland's current process is not admirable.

[JohnH]

China has made rapid gains with caretaking the environment; they are progressing far faster than America did when it was at similar levels of wealth and development.