People have always found ways to connect with each other, even long ago when getting together was harder. Back then we traveled wilderness trails, navigated rivers and canals, built railroads, and then laid down narrow strips of pavement for the newly invented automobile.
Now, our modern highway systems make connecting across long distances easier and cheaper than ever for consumers and companies alike. This is true year round, but we see more evidence this time of year as people shop for gifts, gather for holiday events, and receive more packages from delivery services.
Our federal, state, and local roads serve as the circulatory system for all this shopping, gathering, and shipping, fueling the world’s biggest economy. Our paved surfaces connect our nation’s 300 or so water ports (and its approximately 5,000 airports) with practically all of our 145 million different private residences.
It’s a remarkable engineering feat when we stop to think about it. Usually, people don’t think much of it. 20th century Americans wove roads into the fabric of our society, making them a normal part of life. Now, in the 21st century, even our oldest citizens have lived their entire lives in a nation with highway standards. Highways feel like a birthright for Americans.
Of course, we know our highway infrastructure system isn’t perfect. It’s always a work in progress. That’s one reason our company exists: to create a culture of constant improvement in our industry. But, just for a moment, try to imagine this holiday season without reliable roads that adhere to national standards. Can you imagine traveling for the holidays without bridges to span every creek and proper grades around every curve?
This holiday season, people in Western North Carolina and other Appalachian communities, which are only a couple hours west of our corporate offices in Charlotte, can imagine that kind of world. They’re living it. Hurricane Helene’s flooding earlier this fall set highway travel back decades. Contractors from throughout the nation are busy restoring this region’s vital roadways.
This regional setback is an anomaly in our travel culture. It’s abnormal, and this reflects the general reliability of our travel routes and the success our culture has accomplished building them.
So, this holiday season, we at InfraStripe invite everyone to take a moment to look back and appreciate the modern convenience of roads and their ability to connect us with the people we care about.
Knowing where we came from and what has driven our success will help us see where we’re going: A future with higher standards for safety while continuing to connect people, grow, and perform the best work in the market.
At holiday time and throughout the year, those are our values at InfraStripe. Happy holidays and safe travels to everyone!