The Bridge, the Mine, the Monster Truck

[kandrathe]

I often wonder to what extent infrastructure deterioration as it pertains to the interstate highway system is a function of the heavy truck traffic which I suspect was not contemplated when the system was first conceived. Back in those days it seems that railroads carried a higher percentage of interstate freight and trucks were mostly used for local cartage. Perhaps our Worst Corporate Neighbors (railroads) have not done their job in keeping up with freight transportation needs and that has resulted in all this heavy cross country truck traffic which is so destructive to roads and bridges. This is, of course, just a perception of one who is daily annoyed by unnecessary train noise and traffic obstructions. I have no supporting statistics:)

Back in the 80's I worked on software systems for a local railroad, later bought by the Canadian Pacific. My impression was that things like 100 cars of coal, or iron ore, or automobiles were very efficient for rail, but not pallets of mixed cargo and refrigerated cargo. There were times when some cars sat on a siding for a week at a time until they were found by some trainmen in the system. I think truck transport is more dependable and quicker for those things that fit easily within them.