Stuck in traffic?

Stephanie-Umbro, Maine — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:05:02 GMT

Kevin, in Maine we have winter, mud season, fly season, and construction season. I am heading to the Windy City soon enough; I will bring my best cone-weaving skills with me!

Stuck in traffic?

Matt, 20, San Diego — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:29:11 GMT

Mr. Tibbles,

Its funny that you bring this up because I recently had a conversation with someone about the need to invest in our infrastructure when the economy is as slow as it is right now.

Stuck in traffic?

Bug — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:04:23 GMT

Why is Keith Olbermann so emotionally fragile?

Did anyone tell him Obama is melting?

Stuck in traffic?

Doug Mielke, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:03:02 GMT

Unfair - your report tonight highlighted an underpass in Los Angeles with nasty flames and sensationalism. That event had nothing to do with crumbling infrastructure, it was a horrible fire caused by bad driving and wet roads.

In fact, it was most likely due to a very solid infrastructure that there wasn't a complete collapse of the construction above.

There are lots of notable examples to use in your story, avoid going for the most convenient piece in recent history that many people in this country would not be aware of.

Stuck in traffic?

Roon — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:11:42 GMT

My brother, who lives in Chicago, once told me a long time that they only have two seasons there: winter and road construction.

Stuck in traffic?

Joe, Chicago — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:00:28 GMT

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has done annual surveys of the countries' infrastructure for several years, asking members to report on conditions of roads, bridges, transport systems, etc.
(ASCE surveyed and made recommendations to improve levy structures in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina) I believe the grades have been no better than D over the past few years.

Stuck in traffic?

Use The Trains, Chicago, IL — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:50:56 GMT

I was just curious how the woman they interviewed claimed she did not have time to take the train versus her 90 minute car ride. Not enough time for the kids???????? Based on her route she drove by several main train stations in Chicago with parking, most likely the CTA Yellow Line or a Metra and most leave every 15 minutes or less. Pretty sure driving to one of them and taking the train is < 90 minute commute which means more time for the kids.

At least pick someone who does not live near by or drive by every train line into Chicago when they claim they don't have time to take it.

Stuck in traffic?

Angela, Denver — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:56:06 GMT

I agree with Matt from San Diego. Teddy Roosevelt focused on the infrastructure of this country during his presidency. In the Great Depression, the government had work programs developed to employ citizens. The Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood in Oregon is an excellent example of this. The lodge was built on June 14, 1936, at the brutal height of the Great Depression. Timberline Lodge was built entirely by hand, inside and out, by unemployed craftspeople hired by the Federal Works Progress Administration. The building is a tribute to their skills and a monument to a government which responded not only to the physical needs of its people in a desperate time, but also to the needs of their spirits. It has been a long time since we the United States have focused on ourselves and the infrastructure )bridges, roads, national parks, etc.) is just one piece.