This is a beautiful example of why there is a natural frequency to preventable disasters.

In the aftermath of a preventable disaster, there is will to implement policies and changes to prevent the next one. However the longer it has been since the last, or the safer things seem, the harder it is to maintain those policies. This slide will continue until disaster strikes. Which creates political will to avoid it.

A first disaster may be side by those with influence. But a series of them will undermine their excuses and eventually result in action. Action prevents disaster. Disaster prevention creates complacency and the cycle starts again.

There is no question that we have staved off infrastructure disaster for a long time. And it is just a question of time until the piper comes due...again.