Regretably much of American infrastructure is crumbling, much of its population appears to be particularly averse to paying any taxes. You get what you pay for.
The USA is not a good example of airport public ownership, airports in some parts of Asia make better examples of well run publicly owned airports.
Then again, many countries have publicly owned but privately run airports, either on a concession, franchise or contract basis. There are many options.
Luckily nobody's suggested a PFI or PPP arrangement for Boris's folly!
Sorry, I used the USA as a example, because they are a nation that has few examples of State-Ownership
As for why much of American infrastructure is crumbling, its is because the GOP-Led Congress cannot agree on matters like those with the Democrat controled White House
I also agree that PFI/PPP was a massive mistake that needs to be fixed