Help — America’s Infrastructure Calling

America is one of the greatest countries in the world, made up of many of the most kindly and generous people in the world. I have not traveled much internationally but recently visited Finland and Oslo, Norway. It was eye opening, and thought-provoking. In general, what I saw in Scandinavia, was that much of our American infrastructure is sadly in need of repair or complete overhaul. Airports in Reykjavik, Iceland; Helsinki, Finland; and Oslo, Norway were modern, clean, and easy to negotiate as compared to Logan which looked worn and tired.

Bus rides along Finland’s Arctic Circle were on paved roads completely absent of potholes. They build roads with major attention to the subsurface, with less need for annual maintenance work. The Oslo airport is located northeast of Oslo. A modern graffiti-less electric train whisks you into Oslo with a smooth and quiet ride. Compare that with the Downeaster experience, traveling over old repaired tracks. In Oslo curbside electrical recharging stations dot the city where electric cars can be recharged. In Finland, on a snowy Thursday morning in Oulu we saw many workers pedaling bikes to work on wide, plowed bike paths beside the highway.

I enjoyed along with folks from seven European nations, cross country skiing across Finland. All asked about President Trump. We asked about this winter’s weather, and they said the winters were much milder and weather more unpredictable. With a smile they said, “America seems to be the only country that does not recognize the reality of climate change.” Democrat, Republican, Independent need to work together to demand from our elected officials an honest assessment of America’s infrastructure needs, a realistic long view plan for working with a changing climate, and a budget that puts our citizens needs ahead of the buildup of a vast military and nuclear arsenal that destabilizes the world. We need a 21st Century coast-to-coast rural and urban transportation system that is fast and efficient. What prevents Bath Iron Works from transitioning slowly from warship building to building wind turbines, oil platforms, bridge and skyscraper girders? It’s time we move forward.

Michael Perry,

Freeport