congress | 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure

Capitol Hill Buzzing with Infrastructure Funding Proposals

January 23rd, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Photo Credit: Nicolas Raymond

Between President Obama addressing infrastructure needs in his State of the Union Address, the Virginia Report Card release and additional infrastructure funding legislation being proposed at the federal level, ASCE is optimistic that a long-term, sustainable funding solution for our nation’s infrastructure is within grasp. As both parties of Congress struggle to agree on how infrastructure should be funded, our nation’s infrastructure continues to decline. Almost one-third of our roads are in poor or mediocre condition and more than 40 percent of urban highways are congested. One in nine bridges is structurally deficient, and nearly a quarter are functionally obsolete. Restoring our nation’s infrastructure into a good state of repair will require nearly $3.6 trillion in investment by 2020, leaving us $1.6 trillion short based on current funding levels. In his State of the Union address, President Obama declared that Congress needs to pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that will create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and strengthen the country’s economy. The president also proposed a change in the tax code to encourage the private sector to invest in infrastructure through low-interest municipal bonds. Though President Obama’s push for infrastructure funding through tax reform is encouraging, many believe that our infrastructure funding needs require a different course of action. AAA CEO Robert Darbelnet announced in a statement Tuesday that, “The president’s proposal to leverage corporate tax reform or private investment structures to support transportation funding would provide a welcome shot in the arm for our nation’s infrastructure, but this will not provide a sustainable fix to the looming funding crisis at hand.” In the House of Representatives, Cong. John Delaney and Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick have co-sponsored The Partnership to Build America Act. This bipartisan act will establish a $50 billion infrastructure fund generated by bond sales which will loan money to state and local governments to repair infrastructure. While these proposals for infrastructure funding are certainly promising, the Highway Trust Fund is headed toward insolvency in a matter of months. It’s critical that members of Congress work together to pass legislation that will provide a sustainable, long-term funding solution to #Fix the Trust Fund before the money runs out.

Tags: congress, highway trust fund, infrastructure investment
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Infrastructure Quotes from the State of the Union

January 22nd, 2015 | By: Infrastructure Report Card

The State of the Union is the time for some of the most pressing issues of the day to be highlighted, and infrastructure certainly made the list in the 2015 State of the Union. Here is what the President had to say about America’s infrastructure: We gave our citizens schools and colleges, infrastructure and the Internet, tools they needed to go as far as their efforts and their dreams will take them. That’s what middle-class economics is: the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, everyone plays by the same set of rules. ____ That’s why the third part of middle-class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire. 21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure: modern ports, and stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest Internet. ____ Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let’s set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline; let’s pass a bipartisan … … infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come. Let’s do it. Let’s get it done. ____ Now, the truth is when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there’s bipartisan support in this chamber. Members of both parties have told me so. Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. As Americans, we don’t mind paying our fair share of taxes, as long as everybody else does too. ____ That’s why the third part of middle-class economics is all about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire. 21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure: modern ports, and stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest Internet. Listen to the full 2015 State of the Union address here.

Tags: congress, infrastructure, President, SOTU
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Increased Optimism for Infrastructure Funding Fix

January 16th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Photo Credit: Ousseynou Cissé

With Congress mapping out transportation plans for the upcoming year and the increasing need for infrastructure investment, it is critical that lawmakers work expeditiously and in a bipartisan manner to address our nation’s dire infrastructure needs. ASCE applauds the Obama Administration’s announcement this week on increasing private investment to infrastructure through its Build America Investment Initiative. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx revealed that the White House’s 30-Year Transportation Plan will address funding needs in light of the nation’s rapid population growth and aging infrastructure. Fox indicated, “We must make our solutions as big as our problems” and warned that “not having a plan is the same as having a plan to fail.” A recent New York Times article restated the spiral effects of our country’s insufficient road and transit systems. These subpar transit systems cost our country billions in increased delays, extra fuel costs and auto repair bills. Not to mention poor road conditions contribute to about one-third of all traffic fatalities, or about 10,000 deaths a year. With time running out to #FixtheTrustFund, we hope that members of Congress will work together to pass legislation that will provide long-term sustainable funding for America’s surface transportation systems.

Tags: congress, highway trust fund, report card
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New Year, New Congress, New Hope for Infrastructure Investment

January 9th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Photo credit: mlhradio

It’s a new year, and with a new Congress in session, there is hope that a federal funding solution for infrastructure can soon be reached. Congress has given us reasons to be optimistic, with more bipartisan support for infrastructure funding buzzing at the federal level. Upon reflecting on the past year’s infrastructure challenges, ranging from water main failures to increased highway congestion and a renewed focus on bridge disrepair, many lawmakers from both political parties are pressing for funding solutions which no longer rule out a possible gas tax increase. Senate Republican Environment and Public Works Chairman James Inhofe indicated more open mindedness toward raising the federal gas tax to solve our transportation infrastructure deficit. Inhofe said that “everything is on the table,” and that his top priority is passing a long-term transportation bill. Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) also agreed that Republicans should leave the door open for a gas tax increase, but defended it as a “user fee,” which ensures each driver pays his or her fair share. In addition to discussing a gas tax increase, legislators are carefully considering other options to fund infrastructure. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) plans to introduce a bill in the new session of Congress to “authorize $1 trillion in spending over several years to rebuild the nation’s roads and bridges and invest in other infrastructure modernization projects.” Speaker of the House John Boehner noted that figuring out how to fund the highway bill is an important priority for this year. State governments are also starting the new year with plans to fund infrastructure. Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina have all recently increased their state gas taxes to help fund state transportation projects. In Minnesota, Sen. Amy Klobuchar plans to work across party lines to help pass a long-term transportation bill that will fund projects in her state. While state-level funding efforts are worthwhile, in order to meet the necessary infrastructure investment needs, we need a long-term, sustainable federal funding solution. Hopefully Congress can compromise on a funding solution before the Highway Trust Fund goes insolvent again in May.

Tags: bipartisainship, congress, gas tax, highway trust fund, infrastructure report card
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Dams in 26 States Are Getting Some TLC

December 30th, 2014 | By: Infrastructure Report Card

While the average person might think it’s just about farms, the Farm Bill funding for dams was perhaps one of the most unsung wins for infrastructure in 2014. The 2014 Farm Bill that Congress passed in the summer provided USDA with $262 million to distribute to states for rehabilitating dams. The funding provided rehabilitation assistance for 150 dams in 26 states. This increased the typical annual investment in rehabilitation 20 times over! Dam infrastructure’s role in flood management, water supply, and agricultural productivity is critical to the economy. Here’s a quick breakdown of the Watershed Rehabilitation assistance by state:

Project Name	Assistance Provided
Arizona	$98,137,300
Texas	$33,842,975
Oklahoma	$26,420,000
West Virginia	$14,200,099
Utah	$12,655,000
Pennsylvania	$11,380,500
Massachusetts	$8,976,000
Nebraska	$7,515,236
Virginia	$7,285,000
Mississippi	$5,675,000
Colorado	$2,940,000
New York	$2,900,000
Tennessee	$2,300,000
Kansas	$1,751,000
Oregon	$1,374,000
Kentucky	$1,163,000
Ohio	$708,000
New Mexico	$600,000
Wyoming	$543,103
Connecticut	$450,000
Arkansas	$445,500
North Dakota	$294,000
Nevada	$280,000
Idaho	$249,000
Georgia	$225,000
New Hampshire	$50,000

See if you recognize the Watershed Rehabilitation Projects in your state that are getting some TLC: AR: Muddy Fork of Illinois River AZ: Apache Junction-Gilbert AZ: Buckeye AZ: Florence AZ: Fredonia AZ: Guadalupe AZ: Magma AZ: White Tank Mountains AZ: Whiter Tank Mountains AZ: Williams Chandler CO: Boxelder Crk CO: Boxelder Crk WS CO: Franktown – Parker CO: Franktown-Parker Tributaries of Cherry Creek CT: Norwalk Site-2 GA: Little River GA: Palemetto Creek GA: Sallacoa ID: Montpelier Creek Dam KS: Little Walnut-Hickory KS: Muddy Creek KS: North Sector Upper Walnut KS: Rock Creek (Butler) KS: Spring Creek (Reno) KY: East Fork Clarks River KY: Red Lick Creek MA: Su-As-Co MS: Big Sand Creek Structure MS: Chiwapa Creek MS: Richland Creek ND: Tongue River NE: Indian Creek NE: Oak-Middle Creek Trib. of Salt Creek NE: Upper Big Nemaha NE: Upper Salt & Swedeburg NH: Site 8 So Br Dam (Baker Site 8) NM: Hackberry Draw NM: Santa Cruz Arroyo NV: Peavine Mountain NY: Conewango Creek NY: Ischua Creek Watershed NY: Little Choconut Creek Watershed NY: Little Choconut; Finch Hollow; and Trout Brook NY: Nanticoke Creek Watershed OH: Chippewa Creek OH: Margaret Creek OH: Upper Hocking OK: Barnitz OK: Cottonwood OK: Fourche Maline OK: Quapaw OK: Rock Creek OK: Sallisaw OK: Sallisaw Creek OK: Upper Black Bear OK: Upper Clear Boggy Creek OK: Upper Elk Creek OK: Washita – Barnitz Creek OK: Washita – Fort Cobb Laterals OR: Cooper Creek OR: Plat I PA: Brandywine Creek PA: Conneautville Dam PA: Greene-Dreher PA: Marsh Creek PA: Mill Creek PA: Mill Run PA: Neshaminy PA: Two Mile Run TN: Mary’s and Dan TN: Pine Creek TX: Calaveras Creek TX: Chambers Creek Trinity River TX: Lower Brushy Creek TX: Lower Plum Creek TX: Lower Running Water Draw TX: Martinez Creek TX: Olmitos & Garcias Creeks TX: Plum Creek TX: Trinity – Cedar Creek TX: Trinity – East Fork above Lavon TX: Trinity – East Fork above Lavon TX: Trinity – Mountain Creek TX: Trinity – Mountain Creek TX: Trinity River East Fork above Lavon TX: Trinity River East Fork above Lavon TX: Upper Brushy Creek TX: Williams Creek UT: American Fork – Dry Creek UT: Ferron UT: Glenwood UT: Monroe-Anabella UT: Santaquin UT: Warner Draw UT: Warner Draw Watershed VA: Cherrystone Creek VA: Johns Creek VA: Mountain Run VA: Pohick Creek VA: Potomac – South River VA: Potomac – Upper North River WV: Brush Creek WV: Potomac – New Creek – Whites Run WV: Upper Deckers Creek WV: Wheeling Creek WY: North Fork Powder River WY: North Fork Powder River Find out more at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Tags: congress, dams, Farm Bill, safety, states
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Statement on the Congressional Passage of the 10 Month Patch to the Highway Trust Fund

August 1st, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card

Washington, D.C. —The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) Over, P.E., President of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the passage of short-term funding to the federal Highway Trust Fund.: “We thank Congress for passing the short-term patch to the Highway Trust Fund. This legislation will protect thousands of jobs and avert an economic calamity for a few more months. While this legislation is certainly better than nothing, all it actually does is reset the countdown clock for May 2015. “ASCE urges Congress to return from the August recess ready to find real solutions to fix the Highway Trust Fund. There is adequate time before Congress adjourns in 2014 to identify long-term, sustainable funding sources for the nation’s surface transportation program. We shouldn’t wait until May 2015 to solve America’s infrastructure problems.”

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 145,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.

Tags: congress, highway trust fund, transportation
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This Week in Infrastructure: Action Packed

August 1st, 2014 | By: Becky Moylan

Between the water main break on UCLA’s campus, the two Senate votes, and House vote to patch the Highway Trust Fund, the high cost of the failure to act was obvious this week. D+ infrastructure, the overall grade in ASCE’s 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, is in part because of the aging pipes, roads, bridges, and train tracks in the United States. The way to improve the grades is to invest, which would include repairing and replacing infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life. The Highway Trust Fund is a crucial funding mechanism in raising the grades of roads, bridges and transit. States depend on the federal government to be a partner in funding transportation projects, and unfortunately the long-term status of the Highway Trust Fund is still uncertain. Last week, the House approved a bill that would provide funding to the Highway Trust Fund until May. This week Tuesday, the Senate passed a similar bill, with one crucial difference: the funding would last until December, thus ensuring that Congress would be required to revisit the Highway Trust Fund before the close of the year, and hopefully pass a long-term bill with sustainable funding. Because the two bills were at odds, the House then revisited the legislation on Thursday and voted to remain with the original bill it passed last week. Later that day, the Senate passed the House’s original bill, averting the USDOT’s slowing its payments to states, and the bill will now be sent to the White House for the President’s signature. The bill provides a patch that will sustain the Highway Trust Fund through May. However Congress still has not passed legislation that includes a long-term, sustainable funding solution. Without this, state DOTs will have difficulty moving forward on projects, and Congress will still be focused on averting funding crises, rather than ensuring opportunity for long-term growth through surface transportation projects. Behind every improvement of a Report Card grade and every filled in pothole, there is economic growth and improved commutes. Ultimately that is what this debate is about: improving Americans’ quality of life. While your Congressional members are back home during August recess, take the opportunity to visit or attend a local town hall, and ask your elected lawmakers to #fixtheTrustFund.

Tags: congress, Drinking Water, highway trust fund
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ASCE Statement on the Senate Passage of H.R. 5021 to Sustain the Highway Trust Fund until December

July 29th, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card

Washington, D.C. —The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) Over, P.E., President of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the passage of H.R. 5021 in the U.S. Senate: “This evening, the United States Senate assured that road, bridge, and transit projects, along with countless American jobs, will be preserved until at least December 2014. We also congratulate the bipartisan majority of Senators who helped pass the Carper-Corker-Boxer amendment. This amendment will help our economy and put us on a path to actually fixing the Highway Trust Fund this year. “The Senate made a number of smart choices today. By rejecting Senator Lee’s ‘devolution’ amendment, a bipartisan Senate strongly reaffirmed the federal government’s role in America’s transportation future. We know that we cannot build a modern infrastructure system capable of meeting the demands of a 21^st century economy without a national vision, and we are pleased to see so many Senators feel the same. “It is now up to the House to act and immediately pass the Senate bill. For some time now, the American Society of Civil Engineers has been urging Congress to #FixTheTrustFund. Through social media, blogs, videos, press interviews, and even a website—www.fixthetrustfund.org—the key word the entire time has been ‘fix.’ Today, the Senate decided that they want to fix the Trust Fund in 2014. “Americans are tired of seeing Congress hem and haw when it comes to making tough choices. Our nation’s infrastructure deficit is not going away until our leaders find the courage to address America’s changing needs. Infrastructure is the backbone of our national economy, and by moving from stop-gap to stop-gap, Congress is only injecting greater uncertainty into an already fragile economic recovery. The time to fix the Highway Trust Fund is now. “Congress and the White House, Republicans and Democrats, all must come together to find a real solution to the Highway Trust Fund over the next five months. If we truly want to fix the Trust Fund, we need vision and leadership that is capable of looking beyond partisan divides and instead look for answers for renewed investment in America’s future.”

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 145,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. For more information, visit www.asce.org

Tags: congress, highway trust fund, house of representatives, senate, transportation
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This Week in Infrastructure: All eyes are on the Senate… for next week

July 25th, 2014 | By: Becky Moylan

The Senate will vote early next week on the House’s bill to extend funding to the Highway Trust Fund until May. The upper chamber is poised to debate and vote on the bill and four amendments to it, including the Carper-Corker-Boxer Amendment, which ASCE supports. If passed, the amendment would shorten the funding extension, thus requiring Congress to revisit the topic by December and make a decision to pass a long-term, sustainable bill for the Highway Trust Fund. This would shorten the length of uncertainty for states, and allow for better planning of transportation projects. Maryland’s Senators authored an op-ed on the value in a multi-year transportation bill, again detailing the benefit of longer term transportation funding laws. Vice President Joe Biden tried his hand at the White House White Board video series to explain once again the value in infrastructure investment. While it can often seem Congress is “riding on four flat tires,” as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says, there was an encouraging announcement from another part of the federal government, The Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $10 billion in private funding for rural infrastructure investment. Next week’s Senate actions will provide clearer next steps in the quest for a long-term, sustainable bill to #FixtheTrustFund.

Tags: congress, highway trust fund, infrastructure, White House
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ASCE Statement on the Build America Investment Initiative

July 17th, 2014 | By: Becky Moylan

Washington, D.C. — The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) S. Over, P.E., F.ASCE, president, ASCE on the Build America Investment Initiative: “Today’s action by President Obama to launch the Build America Investment Initiative comes at a critical time as we witness Congress still debating how to provide a long-term, sustainable solution to the federal Highway Trust Fund. While private sector financing can by no means replace public funding, states and localities urgently need all of the best tools available to provide transportation solutions for their communities. “The newly-created Build America Transportation Investment Center can play a vital role in sharing best public-private partnerships (P3s) practices and encouraging more states to utilize P3s to a greater degree, thereby creating a more robust U.S. market and attracting private sector investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure. “ASCE looks forward to working with the Obama Administration to positively implement this action in the coming weeks and months. ASCE supports a comprehensive funding and financing program for operating, maintaining, and improving the nation’s transportation system, which includes P3s, infrastructure banks, bonding and other innovative financing mechanisms. If utilized appropriately, these financing mechanisms can help leverage available transportation funding and play an important role in delivering projects and managing assets effectively.”

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Tags: ASCE, bridges, Build America Investment Initative, congress, highway trust fund, infrastructure, P3s, roads, surface transportation, White House
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