In a Perfect World, Maintenance Is the Coolest Trend in Infrastructure

The New York Times opinion section includes a call for society, politicians, and business leaders to recognize the importance of maintenance.

2 minute read

July 26, 2017, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


USS Arleigh Burke Sailors perform preservation maintenance

Official Navy Page / Flickr

Andrew Russell, professor of history and the dean of arts and sciences at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and Lee Vinsel, professor in the department of science and technology in society at Virginia Tech, take to the pages of the New York Times opinion section to make an appeal for shifting the focus of the infrastructure discussion.

The argument responds to the state of the nation's infrastructure—every variety of which, according to the article, is in "decrepit" condition. But, why?

Why are we in this predicament? One obvious answer is that officials in federal, state and local government do not allocate the resources necessary for preventive maintenance. But their inaction is a symptom of a deeper problem, one that is too seldom discussed: Americans have an impoverished and immature conception of technology, one that fetishizes innovation as a kind of art and demeans upkeep as mere drudgery.

The duo goes on to add: "Once you notice this problem — innovation is exalted, maintenance devalued — you begin to see it everywhere." The problem isn't just with the media or with industrial leaders like Elon Musk, the problem is also perpetuated by politicians, who would prefer new, splashy projects that the mundane business of maintenance. The article cites New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposal for the Brooklyn Queens Connector—a hotly-debated streetcar project in a city desperate for bus system improvements—as an example, but Elon Musk's plans for a system of tunnels under Los Angeles and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's declaration of a state of emergency for the MTA subway system also provide plenty of evidence of those claims. 

Sunday, July 23, 2017 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City