I-40 Reopens Early After Natural Disasters, But Long-Term Infrastructure Crisis Looms

The recent reopening of Interstate 40 through the Great Smoky Mountains after severe flooding and rock slides marks a short-term relief for millions relying on this major east-west artery. However, beneath the surface of this quick fix lies a sobering reality: America’s infrastructure is dangerously vulnerable and underfunded, threatening national commerce and security. On June 18, between 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rain overwhelmed a narrow corridor of I-40 near Exit 451 in Tennessee, causing significant washouts and rockslides that forced closure of a key section linking North Carolina and Tennessee. Initially, officials predicted the highway would remain closed until...