000			04845nam a2200469 i 4500
001			2015018674
003			DLC
005			20190729110309.0
008			150929s2016 nyu b 001 0 eng
010			_a 2015018674
020			_a9781632863607 (hardcover : alkaline paper)
020			_z9781632863614 (ePub)
040			_aDLC _beng _erda _cDLC _dMvI
042			_apcc
043			_an-us---
050	0	0	_aHE355.3.E3 _bP48 2016
082	0	0	_a388.10973 _223
084			_aTEC056000 _aPOL028000 _2bisacsh
100	1		_aPetroski, Henry.
245	1	4	_aThe road taken : _bthe history and future of America's infrastructure / _cHenry Petroski.
264		1	_aNew York : _bBloomsbury, _c2016.
300			_axi, 322 pages : _billustrations ; _c25 cm
336			_atext _btxt _2rdacontent
337			_aunmediated _bn _2rdamedia
338			_avolume _bnc _2rdacarrier
520	2		_a"Physical infrastructure in the United States is crumbling. The American Society of Civil Engineers has, in its latest report, given American roads and bridges a grade of D and C+, respectively, and has described roughly sixty-five thousand bridges in the United States as 'structurally deficient.' This crisis--and one need look no further than the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota to see that it is indeed a crisis--shows little sign of abating short of a massive change in attitude amongst politicians and the American public. In The Road Taken, acclaimed historian Henry Petroski explores our core infrastructure from historical and contemporary perspectives and explains how essential their maintenance is to America's economic health. Recounting the long history behind America's highway system, Petroski reveals the genesis of our interstate numbering system (even roads go east-west, odd go north-south), the inspiration behind the center line that has divided roads for decades, and the creation of such taken-for-granted objects as guardrails, stop signs, and traffic lights--all crucial parts of our national and local infrastructure. His history of the rebuilding of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge reveals the complex and challenging interplay between government and industry inherent in the conception, funding, design, and building of major infrastructure projects, while his forensic analysis of the street he lives on--its potholes, gutters, and curbs--will engage homeowners everywhere. A compelling work of history, The Road Taken is also an urgent clarion call aimed at American citizens, politicians, and anyone with a vested interest in our economic well-being. The road we take in the next decade toward rebuilding our aging infrastructure will in large part determine our future national prosperity"-- _cProvided by publisher.
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
505	0		_a1. The Road Taken : givens, choices, forks, sighs -- 2. The Road Not Taken : words, reports, and grades -- 3. Roads : dirt, stone, wood, concrete, asphalt -- 4. Diverged : transcontinental journeys and interstate dreams -- 5. Yellow : center lines, stop signs, traffic lights -- 6. Could Not Travel : earthquakes, envy, and embarrassments -- 7. In the Undergrowth : elevateds, subways, and engineers -- 8. Just as Fair : location, location, location--and financing -- 9. Perhaps the Better Claim : iconic, signature, and stunning spans -- 10. Because It Was : guardrails, medians, and Jersey barriers -- 11. Grassy and Wanted Wear : streets, lawns, speed bumps, potholes -- 12. The Passing There : sidewalks, curbs, gutters, horses, pavements -- 13. Had Worn Them Really : quality, shoddiness, and survivor bias -- 14. About the Same : good enough bridges and bad enough tools -- 15. Lay in Leaves : triage, budgets, and choice, again -- 16. Trodden Black : corruption, graft, waste, fraud, abuse -- 17. For Another Day : trust funds, fuel taxes, and politics -- 18. How Way Leads on to Way : economics, wrong turns, and political choices -- 19. Ever Come Back : pedestrians, preservationists, parks -- 20. Telling This with a Sigh : public-private partnerships : plusses and minuses -- 21. Ages and Ages Hence : smart cars and pothole-free roads.
650		0	_aRoads _xEconomic aspects _zUnited States _xHistory.
650		0	_aRoads _xGovernment policy _zUnited States _xHistory.
650		0	_aRoads _zUnited States _xMaintenance and repair _xHistory.
650		0	_aRoads _zUnited States _xHistory.
650		0	_aInterstate Highway System _xHistory.
650		0	_aInfrastructure (Economics) _zUnited States _xHistory.
651		0	_aUnited States _xEconomic conditions _y1945-
650		7	_aTECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / History. _2bisacsh
650		7	_aPOLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Policy / General. _2bisacsh
948			_au604262
949			_aHE355.3 .E3 P48 2016 _wLC _c1 _hEY8Z _i33039001361814
596			_a1
903			_a32411
999			_c32411 _d32411