>And if you're wondering why this happens, it's normally because:

1. people aren't talking to people

2. people aren't listening

I don't think this is right; I think the reason is - to use the metaphor from the cartoon image at the top - that what most of the people involved in the not talking and/or not listening were looking to get out of the situation in the first place was the ribbon cutting, not the road, and they got it.