February 25th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
President Obama last week
provided more detailson his infrastructure plans that were first
(Photo credit: Steven Vance)
mentioned during the State of the Union address. The administration released a fact sheet that offers some specifics, however many of the details will still have to wait until the President releases his budget proposal in a few weeks.
The announcement this week focused on three items: A “fix-it-first” proposal to repair existing infrastructure before building new projects, a “Rebuild America Partnership” to bring private money off the sidelines through a new bond program, and a continued “modernization effort” to speed up permitting and construction.
The President’s plan would immediately invest $50 billion in our nation’s transportation infrastructure, with $40 billion targeted to the most urgent upgrades and focused on fixing our highways, bridges, transit systems, and airports most in need of repair. However, the President’s proposal does not outline a funding source for this infusion. In the past, Obama has said his infrastructure proposals could be paid for by using savings from winding down wars overseas, but that has not been specifically mentioned this time around.
We applaud the President for focusing on infrastructure investments and looks forward to working with the administration and Congress on how we can make these much needed investments. We are also hopeful that a long-term funding plan for surface transportation can be implemented that averts insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund.
Tags: congress, economics, highway trust fund, infrastructure, infrastructure investment, state of the union address
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February 13th, 2013 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
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 President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“As stewards of our nation’s infrastructure, the American Society of Civil Engineers applauds President Obama’s efforts to improve our country’s ailing infrastructure and get America back to work. Infrastructure is the foundation of our communities, and without it, our businesses, schools, and our everyday lives cease to function.
“The President said it himself; we have an ‘aging infrastructure badly in need of repair.’ Simply, we must invest in our roads, bridges, ports, and water systems. This will help us build a 21st Century America for an ever-changing 21st Century economy.
Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
“In a first-of-its-kind economic report on our failure to invest in infrastructure, ASCE has found that infrastructure investment is inherently linked to our nation’s economic success.
The Failure to Act report found that if we fill our infrastructure funding gap by 2020, the U.S. can eliminate potential drags on economic growth, protect 3.5 million jobs, and protect $3,100 in annual personal disposable income.
“President Obama’s ‘Fix-It-First’ plan is a great step toward rebuilding America. Private investment along with political leadership can help our nation grow and create much needed jobs. First class roads, bridges, and ports will lead to first class jobs, homes, and lives for American families.
“Rebuilding our nation’s roads, bridges, and water systems is not enough. We must have long-term plans for maintenance and repair, sustainable funding mechanisms that assure reliability, and the political leadership to invest in our own communities.
“On March 19th, ASCE will release the 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, a comprehensive assessment on the state of our nation’s core infrastructure. In the 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, ASCE awarded our country a ‘D.’ A ‘D’ is not good enough for our students in the classroom, and certainly not good enough for American families or our economy.
“Next month’s Report Card grades will give the country, as well as the President, a clearer picture of where America can improve and offer solutions for how to do just that. The President’s State of the Union address offered a strong vision for investing in our economic foundation and jumpstarting our economy. We look forward to working with the Administration, Congress, and all those who are concerned with our country’s economic future on how we can reinvest in our communities and build the infrastructure America needs to prosper.”
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January 25th, 2011 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
The state of the nation’s infrastructure took center stage tonight during the President’s State of the Union address. Among the proposals President Obama put forward for creating jobs and growing the economy is improving the nation’s infrastructure. President Obama wants to “win the future” and we can’t do it with a failing infrastructure.
Citing the D ASCE gave the nation’s infrastructure in its 2009
Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the President urged Congress to take immediate action to invest in infrastructure.
Our infrastructure used to be the best – but our lead has slipped. South Korean homes now have greater internet access than we do. Countries in Europe and Russia invest more in their roads and railways than we do. China is building faster trains and newer airports. Meanwhile, when our own engineers graded our nation’s infrastructure, they gave us a “D.”
In this tough fiscal environment, there is sure to be a tough fight over funding priorities this year, but it’s clear that we we can’t afford to wait any longer to improve the nation’s infrastructure. Despite the upcoming fight, it’s great to hear the cheif executive make infrastructure a priority. Let’s get out there and win the future!
Tags: infrastructure, state of the union address
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