Petroski Henry. The road taken: the history and future of America's infrastructure

NY: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2016. — 322 p. — ISBN: 978-1-63286-360-7.Renowned historian and engineer Henry Petroski explores the past, present, and future of America's crumbling infrastructure.
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.Preface.
The Road Taken givens, choices, forks, sighs.
The Road Not Taken words, reports, and grades.
Roads dirt, stone, wood, concrete, asphalt.
Diverged transcontinental journeys and interstate dreams.
Yellow centerlines, stop signs, traffic lights.
Could Not Travel earthquakes, envy, and embarrassments.
In the Undergrowth elevateds, subways, and engineers.
Just as Fair location, location, location—and financing.
Perhaps the Better Claim iconic, signature, and stunning spans.
Because It Was guardrails, medians, and Jersey barriers.
Grassy and Wanted Wear streets, lawns, speed bumps, potholes.
The Passing There sidewalks, curbs, gutters, horses, pavements.
Had Worn Them Really quality, shoddiness, and survivor bias.
About the Same good enough bridges and bad enough tools.
Lay in Leaves triage, budgets, and choices, again.
Trodden Black corruption, graft, waste, fraud, abuse.
For Another Day fuel taxes, trust funds, and politics.
How Way Leads on to Way economics, wrong turns, and political choices.
Ever Come Back pedestrians, preservationists, parks.
Telling This with a Sigh public-private partnerships: pluses and minuses.
Ages and Ages Hence smart cars and pothole-free roads.
Acknowledgments.
Bibliography.
List of Illustrations, with Credits.
Index.
A Note on the Author.