Global Challenges Engineers Will Face Over the Next 25 Years

We asked our Senior Engineer, Ben McVeigh, what was one of the biggest global challenges that engineers will face over the next 25 years. He said:

“One of the most pressing challenges engineers will confront in the coming decades is the replacement and maintenance of aging infrastructure. While essential for public safety and economic stability, this issue often receives inadequate attention until a catastrophic failure occurs—such as the Interstate 35 bridge collapse or the New Orleans levee breaches.

The ongoing challenge lies in the fact that inspection and maintenance efforts are largely invisible to the public. As a result, funding for these critical activities is frequently reduced, and maintenance intervals are extended to cut costs, often with little public awareness. This lack of visibility makes it easier for political leaders to prioritize new construction projects, which are more likely to create jobs and attract federal grants, rather than focusing on the upkeep of existing infrastructure.

Addressing this challenge will require not only technical expertise but also a shift in public and political priorities to recognize the critical importance of maintaining the infrastructure we rely on every day.”