Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures of a country, such as buildings, roads, bridges, and power supplies. These structures are the veins of the nation, allowing the transportation of goods and people.

America’s infrastructure has a grade point average of a D+, given by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

This means the infrastructure is “in poor to fair conditions and mostly below standard, with many elements approaching the end of their service life. Condition and capacity are of significant concern with strong risk of failure.”

So what should America do?

“Don’t make it our main focus, but there needs to be more emphasis for infrastructural needs. Money needs to be set aside the budget or the like to solve these problems,” senior Alex Toney said.

There have been repercussions for the lack of care, some even nearby. On Tues., Jan. 20 at 2:45 p.m., the body of 35 year old Brandon Carl was recovered at Hopple Street on I-75 after being crushed to death by the bridge he was working on.

He had been working at night for a construction company to deconstruct it when it collapsed, leaving behind four children and a wife. The eldest child is 14 years old, and the youngest is four.

“It’s sad that nothings getting done. It shouldn’t matter who pays for it, the lack of care is putting lives at risk and needs to be fixed,” freshman Dylan Sleyo said.

With the media highlighting this information, old arguments are awakened and brought to light once more.

There has been a debate between Kentucky and Ohio about who should pay for the repair of the Brent Spence Bridge, a double-decker bridge that carries interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River.

While the river is called the Ohio River, it is legally within Kentucky territory, and Ohio says it is their responsibility to fix the bridge. However, Kentucky does not appear to have the capability and funds to do this.

“If I had a position of authority on the matter, I would try to make a compromise between both Kentucky and Ohio to take down the Brent Spence Bridge collaboratively,” sophomore George Moyo said.

The Brent Spence Bridge was given the grade of D+ 14 years ago. There have been reports that chunks of the bridge were crumbling away, falling and hitting cars on the gravel lot underneath the exit ramps of the bridge.

According to the ASCE, 3.6 trillion dollars needs to be invested by 2020 to repair and fix the structural problems before they become worse.