Why do local governments maintain roads, bridges, streets, and public lighting?

Local governments maintain infrastructure such as roads, bridges, streets, and public lighting as part of their fundamental responsibility to provide essential public services and manage local development.12

Historically, these tasks have been core functions of local authorities, alongside other duties like policing, public education, and the removal of health nuisances. By managing these physical assets, local governments facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, which is vital for the economic success of communities and the daily mobility of residents.234

Furthermore, these responsibilities are often mandated by law or granted through charters and statutes, allowing local bodies to administer urban planning and ensure the effective delivery of services that support the well-being and infrastructure needs of their populations. Maintaining this infrastructure is an ethical commitment to the public, ensuring that all citizens have reliable access to the spaces and services necessary for their subsistence and participation in society.523