Most People Don’t Think About Culverts. Their Failure Can Be Deadly

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-13T09:24:08.779Z • Permanent link

Recent research by scientists has shed light on a critical infrastructure issue that poses a significant risk to public safety, particularly in areas prone to natural disasters. Culverts, which are essentially pipes and tunnels designed to divert rainwater and prevent flooding, have been found to be woefully inadequate in many regions. The failure of these culverts can have devastating consequences, including widespread damage to homes and businesses, and even loss of life.

For example, a study published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2020 found that the United States alone needs to invest an estimated $2 trillion over the next 50 years to upgrade its aging infrastructure, including culverts. The study highlighted the risks posed by aging culverts, particularly in areas such as Florida, where Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused widespread flooding and damage. The study's findings were echoed by a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which estimated that the failure of culverts could lead to economic losses of up to $1 trillion over the next decade.

The risks posed by failing culverts are not limited to the United States. In Japan, for example, the government has been forced to spend billions of dollars to repair and replace aging culverts after a series of devastating floods in recent years. Similarly, in Australia, the government has been criticized for its lack of investment in culvert maintenance, leading to widespread flooding and damage in recent years.

The failure of culverts poses significant risks to the research communities and institutions that rely on data from these infrastructure systems. For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) relies on data from culverts to track the movement of water and predict flooding. Similarly, the National Weather Service (NWS) uses data from culverts to predict the risk of flooding and provide critical warnings to the public. The failure of these culverts could lead to delays in these critical services, putting lives at risk.

Furthermore, the failure of culverts has significant implications for the markets and policy environments that rely on data from these infrastructure systems. For example, the stock market relies on data from culverts to track the health of the economy, while policymakers rely on data from culverts to make informed decisions about infrastructure investment. The failure of these culverts could lead to market volatility and policy paralysis, exacerbating the economic risks posed by failing infrastructure.

The failure of culverts is not an isolated issue, but rather part of a larger pattern of neglect and underinvestment in critical infrastructure systems. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the risks posed by aging infrastructure, including culverts. However, despite this recognition, investment in culvert maintenance and replacement has been woefully inadequate. This has led to a growing gap between the capacity of infrastructure systems and the demand for critical services.