Rural Infrastructure thread

[paulsharvey]

Infrastructure comes up time and again on these threads, so I figured its time to start a thread about rural infrastructure, while trying to stay away from politics. We currently have two threads about private roads, and the issues.

Not just roads, but utilities, and other infrastructure topics welcome.


So, just as a starter; spent a couple days in Mexico recently, and a few things in rural Mexico i noticed. The infrastructure was actually generally newer than here in the US, but one thing about it; maintenance, the infrastructure itself is newer, but less maintained. So, the road, bridge, whatever is very new, but they dont do much/any roadside maintenance, mowing, ect. Like, pull off the highway at your own risk; 4 ft brush 1 ft off the road, and maybe a 1000lbs boulder, maybe a 2 ft drop off. Power lines, also newer, although I did notice, almost all concrete power poles even on distribution lines (guess few large pine trees for poles?), and on major roads, few ancient copper phone lines, single, new fiber line; but again, trees not trimed for clearance. Did see a either gas or possibly oil pipe line being installed; and it looked the same as anything in US.

Also, on maintenance; you could see where original concrete was done very well, and later, they cut it to install UG power, and the concrete they poured back, knocked down with a comalong, but not even bull floated or broomed.

Another thing I noticed, ADA, never heard of her . Yes, Americans with Disabilities Act obviously doesnt apply outside the US, but forget the truncated domes on ramps, the brail pedestrian buttons, the "verbal" cross walks, ect. Also, forget bring your "emotional support" dog every where with you. Not against it, just noticed it.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

When I think rural infrastructure, I think private infrastructure like my well, septic, cistern, HVAC, generator, transfer switch, power distribution, fuel storage, wood storage, bridge, driveway, and equipment storage. The power line, public road, and fiber internet service are the only things I don't provide and maintain myself.

The rural advantage is that basic water, warmth, shelter, and food are right here.

 

[BackRoad]

I live in PA, less than a mile south of the New York border. Just a few observations on rural infrastructure...and maybe an observation on being poor...

Interstates in the area are 65 MPH on the NY side and 70 in PA...same road, same design, but more government restrictions on the NY side.

Also seems like many more NY State Police are employed making sure folks do not violate the 65 MPH limit! I can travel 60 miles to the closest city south of us and not see a single PA State Police. I can't go north 6 miles without seeing a NY State Police radar patrol on the interstate targeting PA and other out of state travelers!

Secondary 2 lane roads are very similar on both sides of the border. You can't really tell when in NY or PA from the road conditions or speed limits.

It's the local and rural roads that are a big difference! NY has paved rural roads...PA tends toward many more gravel rural roads in my part of central PA (center of the state East and West)...and with limited road maintenance. You can be on a blacktopped rural road in NY and immediately know when you hit the dirt road, you're safely back in PA.

And just an observation on being poor. There's a big difference in not having money and being poor. Not having money is a cash or funds deficiency. Being poor is a mindset and way of life, generally created from continually making poor life choices.

I find it interesting to look at the differences in homes, land and "treasured possessions" traveling between NY and PA. Both sides are rural, limited funds, and cash poor.

But the PA homesteads seem to be "trash rich" with old cars, boats, refrigerators, old farm implements, dilapidated RVs, and plastic kids toys everywhere.

You can be blindfolded and taken to a road you've never traveled before and pretty easily tell whether you're in NY or PA just by the treasures scattered in the yards. PA residents (in this very rural area at least) are good, friendly people, but they seem to generally have a poor mindset - with all their wealth invested in worldly possessions (junk actually) scattered around their homes.

No moral judgment, but it breaks my heart at times to see it...although this is the area we now call home, and though we plan to die here...we'll always be outsiders - since we don't have any refrigerators in the yard!

 

[paulsharvey]

When I think rural infrastructure, I think private infrastructure like my well, septic, cistern, HVAC, generator, transfer switch, power distribution, fuel storage, wood storage, bridge, driveway, and equipment storage. The power line, public road, and fiber internet service are the only things I don't provide and maintain myself.

The rural advantage is that basic water, warmth, shelter, and food are right here.

We dont currently have internet available, other than a T-mobile cellular box, but Comcast is starting a rural fiber stimulus job soon that will get it out here. Not 100% sure if we will sign up, frankly we have been fine with the $60/month cellular internet.

Now, if natural gas came through... id sign up for that

 

[paulsharvey]

Roads... Ours is a private unmaintained dirt road. Paved is nice, but we are only 0.4 miles down it. The paved road is a 2 lane, high speed state road that is well maintained.

Our county has the extra 1% sales tax for dirt to pave; and they are making some slow, but steady progress in paving more. Problem is, it would be 500 years to get to them all; and i dont think they have a plan, or funds to resurface any of them in 15-25 years.

 

[paulsharvey]

My area of north east/north central Florida, our county is a low service, low tax area (lower), and pretty rural/poor, compared to neighboring counties. With that, though, there is a constant struggle between people moving here for that, and then complaining the county should do something about stray dogs, dirt roads, trash, ect.