In the United States, infrastructure is running out of steam

From our correspondent in Washington,

The infrastructure plan is a investment plan over several years for a total amount of $ 1,200 billion, including more than $ 500 billion in new spending. The goal is to improve infrastructure. The needs have changed and increased since the existing facilities were built decades ago, or even more in some cases.

To be honest, some road or rail equipment is downright old or dangerous. In any case, they need to be at least renovated, and the American president knows it: ” America’s infrastructure was considered the best in the world when I came to Congress. But, today, do you know how the World Economic Forum ranks us for infrastructure? Thirteenth in the world! Twelve countries in the world have more modern and efficient infrastructure than the United States of America. We are in competition to see who will dominate the 21st century. America still has the most productive workers and the most innovative minds in the world. But other countries are closing in and we risk losing our lead if we don’t accelerate now. This bipartisan infrastructure law is a major step forward. It is the largest investment in ports in all of American history. And for American families, that means goods will move faster and cheaper. »

With more than 6% inflation over one year in October, rising prices are the current concern of Americans and therefore of the President.

► Read also: United States: Biden hopes to bring inflation down with his infrastructure plan

Ports at the heart of the problem

It is no coincidence that Joe Biden made this statement during a trip to the port of Baltimore, near Washington. Dozens of boats wait offshore to unload their goods, which remain stranded before reaching consumers. On Friday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp – who, although a Republican, is hated by Donald Trump – was at the Port of Savannah, 900 km south of Washington, to inaugurate a new rail transport site.

He puts his finger where it hurts for the Biden administration: ” The Port of Savannah and the Georgia Port Authority rolled up their sleeves and worked on solutions. Because they know that a blockage in supply chains affects businesses of all sizes. It also drives up prices for millions of families across the country, from beef and Thanksgiving turkey to gasoline and gifts under the Christmas tree. This crisis affects everyone. These topics matter. Experts on the ground here in Georgia are responding to this crisis. And we are grateful to them for their work and their willingness to act in the absence of leadership from the federal government on this issue. »

Ports facing the crisis

In gigantic ports, we try to work as quickly as possible to unload the boats. However, and despite an incessant ballet of trucks, off Savannah, there are still a good twenty giant container ships waiting on the Atlantic.

Port Executive Director Griff Lynch believes the situation is improving: “ This morning we had 22 boats and we got off at 14 two days ago. So there is movement. We were between 25 and 30, and now we are between 15 and 22, so that’s good. We are working to lower the figure. Yes, I am optimistic. Is it a crisis? I would say it’s a challenge. It’s true, we have boats waiting and we never want that for our customers. We don’t load the trucks as fast as we used to. We are known to be the best port in the country. We are working at maximum capacity. It is not because the capacity is less important, but it is because the containers stay much longer. That is why we need more space. »

And indeed with 80,000 containers stowed and stacked, the Port of Savannah is overflowing. It is necessary to open new storage sites further to relieve it, while waiting for the road carriers and the trains to finally manage to transport the goods in all the country.

► See also: United States: Congress adopts the vast Biden plan on infrastructure

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