Does our society today put too much of an emphasis on innovation rather than maintenance?

The short answer is: “Potentially.”

That doesn’t mean innovation is a bad thing. In fact, it’s great to push the limits of what’s possible and advance our technology. However, we might be focusing too much on innovation at the expense of proper maintenance.

Let’s take a closer look at how we’ve been managing our highways. For instance, the U.S. spent about $416 billion on highway infrastructure in 2014, out of which $181 billion was allocated to capital projects (new construction and improvements). That left $234 billion for maintenance and operation, meaning roughly 43% of the total budget went toward new or improved infrastructure.

Despite these investments, critical maintenance remains underfunded. In the U.S., over 47,000 bridges—about 8% of the total—are in desperate need of repair, and another 38% require some level of maintenance. At the current pace, it would take 80 years to repair all these bridges. That doesn’t even account for the highway system as a whole, which requires consistent maintenance due to growing usage and wear. Yet, nearly half the budget goes toward capital projects.

Europe’s transportation infrastructure

In Europe, investments in transportation are substantial. In July 2024, the European Commission allocated over €7 billion in grants through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to support 134 transportation projects. Around 83% of this funding was directed toward climate-aligned goals, including the modernization of railways, inland waterways, and maritime routes within the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Rail projects received about 80% of the total funding, with major cross-border connections like the Lyon-Turin link receiving significant investment.

However, the situation for bridges across Europe remains concerning. In Italy, for example, a 2021 study by the Politecnico di Milano revealed that out of 61,000 bridges surveyed, at least 1,900 were at high structural risk, and more than 18,000 required maintenance. Moreover, over 50% of Italy’s bridges are over 50 years old, compared to an average bridge lifespan of 20 to 30 years in other G7 countries.

The importance of maintenance

Maintenance is crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of infrastructure. Preventive maintenance not only reduces long-term costs but also helps to prevent accidents and extend the lifespan of critical assets. Focusing too heavily on new projects while neglecting maintenance can lead to deteriorating infrastructure, posing significant safety risks and increasing the likelihood of costly emergency repairs.

While some may argue that innovation leads to the replacement of old infrastructure, those involved in maintenance planning know that you can’t simply run assets into the ground and replace them later. Most organizations lack the budget to replace expensive assets on a regular basis.

Conclusion

While innovation is essential for progress, it’s equally important to maintain existing infrastructure to ensure safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Striking a balance between innovation and proper maintenance is key to building a resilient transportation system. The cost of maintaining current assets often outweighs the immediate benefits of new investments, especially in critical sectors such as bridges and highways.