ASCE Hails Passage of Water Resources Reform and Development Act as Linchpin in Modernizing Nation’s Ports, Inland Waterways, Dams and Levees
October 24th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Washington, D.C. — The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) S. Over, P.E., F.ASCE, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), regarding the passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act by the U.S. House of Representatives: “The American Society of Civil Engineers applauds the bipartisan passage of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The bill promotes economic growth and job creation through policies that strengthen U.S. infrastructure, allowing the nation to remain competitive in the 21st century. “ASCE’s 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure graded the nation’s ports a C, inland waterways a D-, dams a D, and levees a D-. Our nation’s water resources are critical to our economy, our infrastructure, public safety, and the preservation and enhancement of our environmental resources. In fact, ASCE’s Failure to Act economic study on the nation’s marine ports and inland waterways shows that underinvesting in just these two sectors threatens more than one million U.S. jobs and $270 billion in U.S. exports by 2020. “When signed into law, WRRDA will drastically reduce the time it takes for project approvals by consolidating or eliminating duplicative studies, permitting concurrent reviews, and streamlining environmental reviews. The reforms in the law are not at the expense of environmental quality and will allow for a stronger, safer national water resources infrastructure. In addition, ASCE strongly supports wording in the bill that will incrementally increase expenditures out of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund so that our nation’s ports can remain competitive on a global level. “ASCE is pleased that Congress has collaborated to pass WRRDA and invest in America’s future. This decisive action will ensure that our nation’s ports, waterways, dams and levees receive the funding they require. We look forward to working with the conference committee as it develops a final Water Resources Development Act for the president’s signature.” 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: economic study, infrastructure, ports, report card, water
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New National Geographic Event Offers Opportunity to Reexamine Electric Grid
October 23rd, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
On October 27th, the National Geographic Channel presents American Blackout, a two-hour programming event that imagines the first two weeks immediately following a catastrophic blackout from a cyber-attack on the United States that takes down the power grid. This movie should serve as a stark reminder about the importance of our electric grid. At ASCE, we are concerned with what we can control, such as investing and upgrading of our mostly antiquated power grid. While the film is indeed impactful, the great news is that we—you, me, and our elected officials—can control the reliability and vitality of our nation’s electricity. In the 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, ASCE awarded the nation’s Energy sector a D+. Today, the U.S. relies on an aging electrical grid and pipeline distribution system, some of which originated in the 1880s. While demand for electricity has remained level, the availability of energy will become a greater challenge as the population increases. As part of our efforts to better understand the importance of infrastructure, we conducted a series of economic studies we call “Failure to Act” that look at how underinvestment hurts our economy. Unless the investment gap is filled, blackouts and brownouts will increase costs for households and businesses. If we close the gap in investment (at total of $107 Billion) in our power system, we can protect 529,000 lost jobs and $656 billion in lost personal income by 2020. Solutions for our energy needs are prevalent. We need to be more lenient in the siting of new transmission lines that will relieve congestion and facilitate the transfer of electricity from renewable energy sources as we phase out our backbone of coal fired power plants. We must reduce the long and costly permitting process that unfairly target overhead power lines; when a transmission line can cost up to ten times as much to permit it than it does to build it, we have a problem. And finally, we need political leadership at all levels to have the courage to invest in our systems, assure reliability, and plan for the overall life-cycle costs of this critical infrastructure. Only by working together can we hope to improve our energy grid and avoid an American Blackout.Tags: economic study, energy, infrastructure, report card, sustainability
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Infrastructure This Week
October 11th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
The government shutdown continues to loom over our nation’s infrastructure, causing uncertainty, hurting key services, and further showing the costs of Congressional intransigence.
Much like the government itself, our infrastructure has to get out of the short-term mindset, and start planning for long-term growth. Only then will we find success.
The good news is businesses and local leaders are starting to feel the costs of under-investment, and are contemplating ways to plan for future growth.
Talk to you next week!
Tags: career development, congress, economics, infrastructure
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Government Shutdown Highlights U.S. Inability to Solve Big Problems as Gas Tax Reaches 20th Anniversary
October 1st, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Reston, Va. — The following is a statement from Gregory E. DiLoreto, P.E., P.L.S, D.WRE, president of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), regarding the current government shutdown and the 20th anniversary of the last federal gas tax increase: “Today marks the 20th anniversary since the federal gas tax was last raised to 18.4 cents per gallon in 1993. With the government shutting its doors today, this is a reminder of the pressing need for bipartisan solutions to America’s largest problems. “The shutdown of the federal government will have long-lasting negative effects on America’s already outdated infrastructure. With national parks closed, repair and replacement projects will be put on hold while parks lose needed revenue. We have furloughed one-third of the U.S. Department of Transportation employees, hurting our ability to asses, plan, and respond to needed surface transportation issues. This short-sighted shutdown creates economic uncertainty and halts continuing planning, forcing infrastructure projects to use stop-gap measures for long-term needs. “Regrettably, the shutdown is nothing new. The 20th anniversary of the federal gas tax shows that Congressional inaction has for far too long hurt American families and business. Given the growth and expansion of the U.S. over the last 20 years, one has to wonder the consequences of funding our 2013 infrastructure with 1993 dollars. “According to the Consumer Price Index, the costs of many household items have nearly doubled over the last 20 years. Some examples of the price differences between 1993 and today include:- A loaf of bread: 1993: $0.75, 2013: $1.41
- A pound of coffee: 1993: $2.50, 2013: $5.21
- A new car: 1993: $12,750, 2013: $31,252
State Leaders KEEP looking at transportation funding solutions
September 20th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
This year we’ve seen policymakers at the state level take the lead on tackling the issue of infrastructure funding as several states moved to increase gas taxes (Massachusetts, Maryland, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming). And, this week state leaders are in Kansas City at the Council of State Governments (CSG) National Conference discussing a variety of issues with transportation and infrastructure high on their list of priorities. Legislators and DOT officials from around the country packed the room for CSG’s Transportation Policy Committee meeting to discuss how states can address infrastructure financing and funding challenges, including challenges with implementation of MAP-21. Dave Nichols, P.E., Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation told attendees that a “lack of action at the federal level has forced states to take matters into their own hands.” ASCE’s 2013 Report Card was highlighted during the session. Larry Frevert, P.E., a member of ASCE’s Committee on America’s Infrastructure which developed the Report Card, spoke to the group about the Report Card and the economic impact of infrastructure investment. Mr. Frevert’s presentation was very well received as he covered a variety of helpful information in the Report Card for state legislators. The CSG Transportation Policy Academy also passed two resolutions during their meeting. The first calls on Congress to pass the next federal surface transportation authorization bill prior to the expiration of MAP-21 on September 30 2104. The second resolution expresses support for a recent National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) proposal that Congress create a $20 million program to support state level pilot programs to explore transportation funding alternatives to fuel taxes.They’re Back
September 10th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Congress returned from its August recess yesterday to a mountain of unfinished business. With 22 days remaining in the fiscal year, Congress plans to go all in and be in session for nine of them. Nine days to:
United States Capitol Building (Photo credit: Jack’s LOST FILM)
- Avoid a government shut down by passing a FY 2014 budget;
- Address the federal debt limit or face a default on federal debt;
- Reach agreement on the farm bill which expires September 30th; and
- Syria.
This Week’s Top 5 Infrastructure Stories
September 6th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
ASCE Report Card Chair Writes for PBS on Infrastructure’s Present and Future Expanding cities, global businesses, and an interconnected world mean that people need to travel to more places than ever before. Cities cannot prosper in isolation, and businesses cannot thrive if they cannot move goods effectively. As our nation continues to grow, so too must our basic infrastructure. Today, our roads, bridges, and transit systems are not keeping pace with America’s rapid change—meaning we are not positioning ourselves for the future. Maine House Majority Leader Backs Infrastructure Investment Maine wins when we make smart investments in our future. The recent State House approval of a bipartisan jobs and infrastructure bond package was just such a win. Looking ahead, we must next consider funding for research and economic development. Afraid of Heights!: Man Looks for Scariest Bridges The United States has seen a golden age of magnificent bridges built since the 1930s, O’Donnell says, and now the nation will likely focus on maintenance. Transportation and civil engineering groups have been warning for years about the consequences of neglecting U.S. bridges. Chair of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Rides the Future Google’s not the only entity testing self-driving cars on actual US roads. Today, Bill Schuster (R-PA), the congressman who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, took a 33-mile trip in an autonomous vehicle built by Carnegie Mellon University and funded by General Motors. The 2011 Cadillac SRX ferried the Pennsylvania congressman from the town of Cranberry to Pittsburgh International Airport earlier this morning, while a cameraman broadcast his journey to the web. Infographic: Commuters Have Changed, So Must Our Infrastructure The percentage of U.S. workers who drove to work in a private vehicle grew from 62.7 percent in 1960 to 84.4 percent in 2011, according to Census Bureau data. Only around 9 percent commuted using a carpool in 2011, half the percentage of workers that carpooled in 1980.ASCE President: Our nation’s infrastructure depends on public and private investment to thrive
August 13th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
On August 5, 2013, the Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed that argued against the merits of public investment in infrastructure. The following is a response from ASCE President Greg DiLoreto: Our nation’s infrastructure depends on public and private investment to thrive Larry Schweikart and Burton Folsom’s editorial (Obama’s False History of Public Investment, Aug. 6, 2013, page A13) misses a critical point. While entrepreneurs can often drive infrastructure investment, we need both the private and public sectors to play key roles in building and maintaining America’s infrastructure. Our national highway system comprises just 4 percent of all U.S. roads, yet it revolutionized and created entire industries. Today, 40 percent of all highway traffic occurs on this system, 75 percent of heavy truck traffic and 90 percent of tourist traffic. Imagine Amazon or Coca-Cola unable to move goods easily across states. While much of this massive undertaking was planned and funded by the public sector, many private sector firms were hired to execute the work. This critical road system created jobs in the short-term and spurred long-term economic growth. Economic growth necessitates a well-functioning, well-connected infrastructure network. ASCE’s recent economic studies found that if the nation continues to invest at the same meager levels in infrastructure, we will see a drop of $3.1 trillion in GDP by 2020 due to the ripple effect deficient infrastructure has on our nation’s economy. Past generations recognized that infrastructure was essential to interstate commerce and a healthy economy. After World War II, Americans built the nation we know today by investing in their communities. Now that bill is coming due. We must modernize and maintain the system we have to keep America at the forefront in order to continue building a strong economic recovery. Gregory DiLoreto, P.E., P.L.S, D.WRE President, American Society of Civil EngineersShuster and Gibbs Announce Plans for House to Consider WRRDA
August 5th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
On Friday, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), along with Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH), revealed that the Committee will review and consider WRRDA (no, that is not a typo – see below) when Congress returns from recess in September. According to Reps. Shuster and Gibbs, the bill will be marked up shortly after Congress reconvenes September 10, and should hopefully be considered on the House floor in October. Though a draft of the bill is finished, it has not been publicly released as details are still being worked out. This has not stopped many Congressional leaders who have seen it from declaring their support for WRRDA. Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) are two of the more notable names that have thrown their support behind the legislation. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) aims to provide funding to many projects that will enhance and repair our nation’s waterway infrastructure, accelerate the study and review process required before a project can commence, and reduce red tape. According to ASCE’s Failure to Act studies, our nation’s waterways face a funding gap of almost $85 billion by 2020 that will result in $200 billion in losses by 2020, and over $2 trillion by 2040. The Senate passed its version of the WRDA bill on May 15. Until the full text of the House’s bill is released, it is unknown how the two versions stack up against each other. ASCE members should contact their Representatives in support of prompt consideration and passage of water resources legislation when the House returns in September.- During August, consider scheduling a Back Home Visit http://www.asce.org/Government-Relations/Key-Contact-Program/Back-Home-Visits-Materials/ with your Representative or look for Town Hall Meetings or other public appearances by your Representative. Visit ASCE’s Back Home Visits page http://www.asce.org/Government-Relations/Key-Contact-Program/Back-Home-Visits-Materials/ for tips and background materials to help you.
- Use ASCE’s Click & Connect with Congress advocacy website http://capwiz.com/asce/issues/alert/?alertid=62713246 to read background and write your Representative in support of water resources legislation.
Tags: infrastructure, water infrastructure, water resources development act
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I-35 W: Six Years After the Bridge Fell
August 1st, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
On August 1, 2007, the I-35 W span over the Mississippi River collapsed, killing 13 people, injuring 145, and severing a vital lifeline for many towns. Only 382 days later, the bridge had been replaced and was open to traffic once again. Six years after this tragedy, the question remains whether we have done enough to repair our crumbling infrastructure. Success stories like the rapid reconstruction of the I-35 bridge are widely touted, but isolated incidents are needed less than general trends toward improvement. In an analysis of the nation’s roads and bridges, 1 out of 9 is deemed “structurally deficient”, while in five individual states, more than 20 percent of bridges are rated as such. Since 2000, 22,711 bridges are no longer considered structurally deficient. While this is an improvement, there are concerns that fiscal realities may derail progress. Currently, the Highway Trust Fund is projected to become insolvent in September of next year. The HTF is the primary means by which many states fund infrastructure repair and replacement projects. The I-35 replacement was constructed so quickly in large part due to near-continuous work for 11 months. Without adequate funding for construction projects, the time for completion will lengthen, driving up costs and the impacts on drivers. Bridges are indispensable parts of our infrastructure system. Without safe, reliable, and efficient transportation, we will see the toll taken on the prices of goods and costs to ourselves and others. The average age of the 600,000 bridges in this nation is 42 years, with an estimated $76 billion in needs to address the problems. ASCE’s Failure to Act report on the costs of poor infrastructure shows that by 2020, deficient bridges and pavement will cost Americans 58 billion. If left untended, those costs will jump to $651 billion by 2040. So as we approach the 6th anniversary of the terrible happenings on the I-35 W bridge, foremost in our mind should be the state of our infrastructure and if we are really doing enough to maintain our bridges. Individual instances of rapid repair and replacement are necessary, but insufficient. We must continue to fund the Highway Trust Fund and provide governments at all levels the tools they need to keep our infrastructure standing.
