Unless you have been living on a rock for nearly a year, you will have seen how a microscopic foe has rocked the human world and our commerce. The screeching halt to the world economy was nowhere near smooth, especially in America.
The richest country in the world has had one of the worst responses to the crisis, holding 20% of the world’s COVID deaths with only 4% of the population. This, predictably, has created huge reverberations in a market that was already geared for a slowdown pretty soon.
Regardless of what kind of administration we have for the next few years, infrastructure will be a defining issue. Many people advocate for a New Deal-esque investment in public programs and infrastructure.
So what could we actually do in the next few years, and how will retaining walls be a factor in it? We discuss that topic and more in this blog!
Why A New Deal Is Badly Needed
The first and perhaps most important reason for a New-Deal-type plan is safety. America’s infrastructure, to put it mildly, is in a state of silent crisis. Recently, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave America’s infrastructure a D+, noticing dozens of bridges, dams, and railways that are in need of deep repair or replacement.
Much of our infrastructure is living on borrowed time, and this is not an area where we want to skimp on funding. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of people without work and many thousand homeless, so there will be a desperate need for jobs coming out of the pandemic.
This scenario is perfect for a set of policy proposals aimed at getting people work and improving the foundation of our country.
The New Deal: A Response To Crisis
The original New Deal was a series of government programs, reforms, projects, and regulations aimed at bringing the United States out of the Great Depression. Similar to our current situation, the period following the Stock Market Crash of 1929 was abysmal.
Billions were lost, millions were affected, and a decade-long global economic meltdown that played at least some role in the rise of fascism that would spark World War 2. The United States and the world were experiencing monumental turmoil.
By the time that Roosevelt had pitched and began to develop the program, the crisis had 4 years to snowball into a global catastrophe. By 1933, the U.S unemployment rate was a staggering 24% and the GDP had sunk to record lows as well. Roosevelt decided that bold action was the only way that the ship could be righted.
How Retaining Walls Tie In
If we were to have an influx of infrastructure spending and development, then retaining walls would need to be at the focal point of the development. Retaining walls are a thankless member of society, propping up the property and commerce lines that make America tick.
As new bridges, roads, railways, and other projects are begun, retaining walls are going to have to be used as a support structure. This work would provide multiple benefits for the economy both in the short term and long-term.
While the concept of the retaining wall hasn’t changed much over its history, there have been notable improvements in design, It is a fact that retaining wall technology has improved as time has gone on.
Trust Slaton Bros For Your Next Project
Regardless of how our recovery plan looks from our government, we’ve established that you’ll need retaining walls to support the projects that will push us out of a recession or depression. Slaton Bros, Inc. are experts in the construction field and we’re ready to provide the expertise that our community and country needs to thrive!
Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your next project!
