Agreed.
The problem is that a politician doesn't win points by simply taking care of existing infrastructure (rail, subway, roads), but almost always get their photo-op at the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new subway stop or new bridge... There is no glamor in taking credit for two years of repairs to replace a section on highway that was reaching the end of its life, or refurbishing a subway line after years of neglect and deferred maintenance.
It's all about the Broken Windows... but toady's politicians will have none-of-that...
I'd love to hear a politician's response to, "When is a crime no longer a crime?"