THE PEOPLE PROBLEM
PEOPLE
“ Although it will take several generations to rebuild the infrastructure workforce to full capacity , companies can kickstart the process ”
– Jack Coker , Principal Consultant , Ducatus Partners
THE PEOPLE PROBLEM
Modern infrastructure in the US was born from President Franklin D Roosevelt ’ s New Deal for the American people . Between 1935 and 1943 , the Works Progress Administration ( WPA ) built over 500,000 miles of rural roads , 100,000 bridges and 1000 airfields . The WPA built sewers , tunnels and power lines . Hospitals , schools and fire stations sprang up across the nation .
However , in recent years this spirit of investment has waned . In every report card since 1998 , the American Society of Civil Engineers has awarded a ‘ D ’ to America ’ s infrastructure , reflecting chronic underinvestment in the sector . The society also estimates that , unaddressed , this could damage the economy to the tune of almost $ 4trn lost in GDP by 2025 , slashing the disposable income of each household
54 May 2018