摘要: |
My parents live in a neighborhood (barrio) in the mountains in Puerto Rico, an area that has been affected by natural disasters, especially in the past 5 years: Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and Hurricane Fiona in 2022. Rain from both caused landslides impacting the two-lane rural roadway that connects my parents' barrio to the rest of the town (pueblo). This two-lane rural roadway provides access for my parents (and lots of elderly people) to healthcare, groceries, jobs, services, and the rest of the island. Rural roadways-in the United States and around the world-not only provide access to people living in rural communities, but also connect people living in urban and suburban communities to outdoor recreation activities such as National Parks and tourist destinations. Rural roadways are also vital for freight movements serving industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, among others. |