Dynamics of infrastructure development: the role of metaphors, political will and sunk investment

This article explores how infrastructure networks get created in spite of t he uncertainties in their development process. It focuses on the developmen t of the Iowa Communications Network and North Carolina Information Highway which represent two very different models of state-wide networking. The ex perience with the Erie and Welland Canals provides the backdrop for the ana lysis. It offers insights into how metaphors provide the initial impetus, a nd how political will and sunk investments help sustain the effort for crea ting an infrastructure network.