Sandy Springs Water Main Break, Sinkhole Highlights U.S. Infrastructure Crisis

The recent water main break and sinkhole on Roswell Road highlights a major problem that localities across the country are facing due to a failure to substantially invest in our nation’s crumbling infrastructure.

Whether it’s structurally deficient bridges, dams and levees or inadequate roads, airports and pipes, America’s infrastructure is insufficient, and our leaders in Washington can no longer forsake responsibility when it comes to much-needed maintenance and improvements.

Like the residents of Sandy Springs, every day Americans are affected because officials deferred necessary upgrades until a bursting pipe becomes an emergency as opposed to routine maintenance. When water mains break, school buses are forced to reroute, limiting students’ time spent in the classroom. Restaurants are unable to serve customers as water availability is affected. Businesses lose sales as detours divert traffic from main roads. Lost revenue and time wasted in traffic will never be recovered.

Our infrastructure is the lifeblood of our economy. It impacts our quality of life, the competitiveness of our businesses, and the safety and security of our country. All this while spurring economic growth and creating well-paying jobs.

I urge Sen. Johnny Isakson, Sen. David Perdue and the next representative for Georgia’s sixth congressional district to work in a bipartisan manner with the Georgia congressional delegation, their colleagues and the Trump administration to immediately address the nation’s infrastructure crisis. Further delay is unacceptable to Georgians and the rest of the country.

Brian P. McGuire

President & CEO

Associated Equipment Distributors

650 East Algonquin Road

Schaumburg, Illinois 60173