Record heat in summer 2024 is straining America’s infrastructure, causing issues like stuck bridges and buckling roads, and disrupting transportation systems.
The Third Avenue Bridge in New York jammed after metal expansion caused by heat, and roads in Washington and Wisconsin have buckled, disrupting traffic.
Amtrak and other rail systems face delays due to heat-induced rail expansion, which can cause derailments and safety hazards.
Engineers are using innovative solutions, including heat-resistant materials and advanced monitoring systems, to address these challenges.
Key quote:
“Like human bodies, infrastructure needs to be maintained from the beginning to reduce costs and increase the potential for effective rehabilitation.”
— Suyun Paul Ham, associate professor of civil engineering, University of Texas at Arlington
Why this matters:
As climate change intensifies, extreme weather events will increasingly threaten aging infrastructure, leading to safety hazards and costly disruptions. Effective engineering solutions and timely maintenance are vital to enhance the resilience of critical transportation networks.
Increased rainfall and repetitive flooding strain aging infrastructure in many towns across the Mississippi River Basin. But what options do residents have?
More than a dozen people were rescued from a flooded highway in the Bronx, and more rain was expected on Friday with the arrival of Tropical Storm Elsa.
