[reaperducer]

The main purpose of government is providing infrastructure like roads and bridges

Roads and bridges being a government function is a somewhat recent notion that we've grown accustomed to.

Historically in the United States, roads and bridges were privately owned, and users paid a toll to a private person or company to use them. This was one of the many disagreements between the states that led to the Civil War.

There are plenty of private roads and bridges still in existence in the Untied States, mostly in the older states.

One example: http://www.dcdbc.com

[vageli]

> The main purpose of government is providing infrastructure like roads and bridges

> Roads and bridges being a government function is a somewhat recent notion that we've grown accustomed to.

> Historically in the United States, roads and bridges were privately owned, and users paid a toll to a private person or company to use them. This was one of the many disagreements between the states that led to the Civil War.

> There are plenty of private roads and bridges still in existence in the Untied States, mostly in the older states.

> One example: http://www.dcdbc.com

I've always wondered about the bridge at Dingman's Ferry. Reading through the website, I wonder how they could possibly enforce the penalty for overages in terms of tonnage. Since they are a private entity would law enforcement issue a citation or would the bridge corporation be forced to litigate?

[ggreer]

Wouldn’t anyone who did that be subject to a civil suit for damages? Also the bridge owners would have insurance.

In addition to standard economic devices like tort and insurance, the bridge owners could have a part of the road before the bridge that is designed to buckle or alarm if a weight is exceeded. That would save them a lot of money and frustration.

[vageli]

I figured as much with regards to civil suit, was just curious about public enforcement of private regulations when the lines appear blurred. Further, I wonder by what authority they can even set monetary fines? Like, why stop at $X for a fine? I ask because their site lists specific penalties which seem somewhat arbitrary [0]. I can't arbitrarily "fine" someone $1000 for stepping on my lawn. I can certainly take them to court for trespassing and possibly collect some damages, but those damages are not a fixed value in a fee schedule. So I wonder how this corporation has the authority to impose fines.

[0]: https://dcdbc.com/ratesandrestr.php

[ggreer]

It looks like it's not a fine in the sense that refusal to pay can result in suspension of your driving license and possible wage garnishment. They don't even call it a fine but a "penalty". Basically they ask you for $50 or $100 depending on which limit you exceed, and refusal to pay risks a court case. I'm guessing the bridge needs to be inspected after the weight limit is exceeded or if a taller vehicle strikes the structure. The cost of inspection likely exceeds the penalty. They could easily ask for thousands of dollars in compensation. And even if you win the case, you have to pay for a lawyer and spend time in court. It's easier for both parties if the driver just pays the penalty.

[wongarsu]

I don't think it's a particularly recent notion. Ancient cities are the archetypical government, providing defense, some sort of justice system, and (often paved) roads. We see evidence of that from as far ago as the nearly 6000 year old city of Ur. Where larger empires existed, they often built larger road networks between cities to facilitate commerce and troop movements. The Inca road system and the Roman roads are well known examples of road networks built by their respecive empires. The Romans are also kind of famous for their bridges (viaducts and aquaducts).

Of course the less important roads were and still are often private, and the early US had an atypical lack of government that made this more common. But I don't think that proves that governments providing roads and bridges is a recent phenomenon, it's in fact rather ancient.