I think a major factor is that the US hasn&#x27;t been around for very long and we&#x27;re coming to a point where a lot of infrastructure is coming under need of repair or replacement simultaneously.  In particular instances, this infrastructure degradation has been greatly exacerbated by decisions to save money in the short-term.  My personal opinion is that this is all part of a decades long rightward shift away from &quot;big government&quot; and willingness to pay for proper maintenance of public works.  2008 was a wasted opportunity to combine much needed infrastructure investment with fiscal stimulus.<p>There is no question a lot of work will need to be done over the next decade.  The question is, who will do the work, and how will it get paid for?