Solid infrastructure plays a pivotal role in the state

From the desk of WYDOT Director William T. Panos

On any given day, much of the infrastructure that supports our daily life appears monotonous, flat, and still. The better the infrastructure, the truer this seems. We do not think about roads or bridges until we cannot drive easily on them. Once in place however, effective infrastructures appear as timeless, and even natural features of our world.

This subtle approach is central to the effectiveness and intrinsic value of infrastructure. But it also makes it challenging to recall what is at stake with infrastructure, or to establish programs where infrastructure can improve. Scale, transfer and connectivity are all essential elements common to infrastructure. But they also express our most tenacious policy, fiscal and scientific issues and opportunities.

In large spaces, like those found in Wyoming, the quality of everyday life depends on good rural infrastructure, including access to appropriate technology. It is a basic requirement for operating ranches, energy production, a tourism economy and connecting our communities. It is the basis of a more stable economy.

Needless to say, infrastructure has a privileged relationship with us. And the setting up of roads or bridges requires accumulating resources well beyond a single government agency. The more we modernize our economy, the more investment is requested in infrastructure. To improve our infrastructure the formula remains ... a focused federal mission; clear performance science; empowered local government; and improved funding tools.