Author Archive

This Week in Infrastructure: Thankful for Ramped-Up Media Interest in Infrastructure Renewal

November 21st, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

With holiday travel underway and harsh weather already arriving in some regions, the state of our nation’s highways will become even more apparent as thousands of Americans take to the roads to visit family and friends during the Thanksgiving holiday. However, our current D+ in infrastructure and lack of sufficient funding for the Highway Trust Fund don’t promise improvement without Congress taking intentional measures to provide long-term, sustainable funds. Every year, drivers sit idling in traffic for 34 hours longer than they need to because of unnecessary congestion. Congestion is not only aggravating it also costs Americans approximately $101 billion each year in wasted gas. The media recognize that Band-Aids and temporary fixes to the nation’s surface transportation will no longer suffice. More and more media coverage is making the case for a long-term, sustainable funding solution and advocating for increasing revenues. A recent article from USA Today stated that funding our highways should be among Congress’ top five priorities for the year’s end. And the public overwhelmingly agrees. According to a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, Americans indicated they support increased infrastructure investment for roads and highways even more strongly than tax reform. “This issue affects every community, every user of our system, whether they’re driving, whether they’re using transit in some way,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, “And I don’t see how we can get through this in a good way as a country without Congress coming to the table and actually passing a long-term transportation bill.” Media coverage in Tennessee, Delaware and Wisconsin each highlighted their state’s need for lasting solutions to revitalize their aging infrastructure. And this past week, ASCE members in Montana released their state’s inaugural Infrastructure Report Card, giving Montana an overall infrastructure grade of C-. With winter weather bearing down, increased holiday travel and growing media attention, including ASCE Past President Andy Herrmann’s Nov. 23 interview with 60 Minutes focusing on our nation’s deteriorating infrastructure, Congress should act now to #FixtheTrustFund.

Tags: highway trust fund, Report Card for America's Infrastructure, state report card
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: Bipartisanship Needed to Get Infrastructure Improvements Rolling

November 14th, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

With the midterm elections completed and the Congressional lame duck session underway, Americans are looking for a fresh approach to infrastructure investment at the federal level. ASCE hopes that the new Congress will respond to our nation’s infrastructure needs with compromise and urgency before May, when the Highway Trust Fund will once again become insolvent. In order to make progress in revitalizing infrastructure, bipartisan compromise between the White House and Congress is necessary. ASCE Senior Managing Director, Casey Dinges, told Wired that there are reasons to be optimistic that the new Congress will address infrastructure spending. Among these are the decrease in gas prices, lack of recent productivity and existing Congressional support for funding infrastructure. According to Dinges, even the conservative US Chamber of Commerce supports raising the gas tax as a “smart, fair and achievable way” to meet funding needs. Representative John Delaney is hopeful for bipartisan support when it comes to improving our infrastructure. In The Hill, Delaney points to the Partnership to Build America Act (PBAA), which has support from Republicans and Democrats, as an innovative financing tool to create a large-scale infrastructure fund that is funded by selling infrastructure bonds to private companies, rather than increasing taxes or additional spending. Congressman Delaney noted that the PBAA would be a solid step towards infrastructure improvement that “brings together good ideas from both sides of the aisle.” Bipartisanship, compromise and collaboration are key if we are going to address our nation’s infrastructure needs and #FixtheTrustFund.

1 Comment »

Election Results Signify Shift in Americans' Willingness to Invest in Infrastructure

November 7th, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

In light of the recent elections, infrastructure investment has now moved from a topic of discussion into a plan for action in many states. With the nation’s pressing infrastructure needs and limited federal funds available, ASCE is pleased that many states are finding creative ways to pay for infrastructure improvements through other means. With six states successfully passing ballots to fund infrastructure, it’s clear that many Americans are tired of underinvestment and want to see initiatives to improve infrastructure in their communities. In Maryland and Wisconsin, voters approved a transportation “lockbox” to secure funds for infrastructure needs. In Texas, oil and gas taxes will be used as a source for transportation funding. Rhode Island passed an initiative allowing the sale of bonds to fund renovations to mass transit and California passed an initiative that will improve water security for the state. Even in Michigan, where there was no infrastructure-related ballot initiative, Governor Rick Snyder announced his plan to raise at least $1 billion in new revenues for road repairs through fuel taxes and fees before the end of the year. Joseph Kane, a researcher with the Metropolitan Policy Program said, “The public sees the impact of transportation on their lives every day and so the attention this issue is receiving at the ballot box shows their growing awareness of problems.” Though several states are making proactive strides to improve infrastructure through investment, not all states are willing to take these steps. Massachusetts voters repealed gas tax indexing, which would have provided critical funding for transportation in the state. Louisiana also rejected a ballot initiative which would have created an infrastructure bank. ASCE President, Bob Stevens, Ph.D., P.E., said, “By failing to increase revenue or protect funding, these states are continuing with the status-quo, which is unacceptable. Leaders at all levels of government are now tasked with finding solutions to the infrastructure deficit.” Ballot measures to improve state infrastructure are steps in the right direction but are not enough without long-term, sustainable funding at the federal level. Voters demonstrated they want more investment in infrastructure. Now it’s time for Congress to respond to that plea and #FixtheTrustFund.

Tags: 2014BallotInitiatives, infrastructure, transportation, water
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: Getting Infrastructure Projects Moving Through the Ballot Box

November 1st, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

With Election Day around the corner, ballot initiatives related to infrastructure will give voters a chance to help shape our nation’s future. The economic, environmental and public safety issues on each state’s ballots underscore ASCE’s strategic initiative: improving our nation’s infrastructure. Infrastructure is the backbone of our economy. The roads and bridges we drive on, the water we drink, the schools we attend and the power systems we rely on are aging badly and in need of repair. ASCE’s 2013 Report Card shows that our nation’s backbone—infrastructure—is in serious need of investment to bring it into good condition. In The Huffington Post blog, Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance wrote, “Without a world-class infrastructure, we will not be able to compete in the global marketplace. Resilient infrastructure systems mean we can keep our communities healthy and safe. And, fixing and modernizing these systems is an economic opportunity we cannot afford to pass up.” As this blog illustrates, clearly more advocacy groups realize the domino effect that failing infrastructure has on our nation’s economy and the welfare of all Americans. Without infrastructure in a state of good repair, our nation’s most essential resources are at serious risk. NPR recently exposed how much water is currently being wasted as a result of aging infrastructure. According to NPR, researchers have estimated aging pipes, broken water mains and faulty meters have resulted in enough wasted drinking water to rise 300 feet above Manhattan. And the American Water Works Association added, “nationwide, the amount of water that is lost each year is estimated to top 2 trillion gallons.” According to the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), every year we lose enough water due to aging infrastructure to, “swallow several major American cities whole.” These are startling statistics that cannot be ignored. In light of increased media focus on the state of our nation’s infrastructure and the consequences of continuing to delay much-needed investment, political leaders are speaking out for solutions. In Vice President Joe Biden’s recent speech for increased infrastructure spending, he said that Americans need to, “Build, build, build….we always have to build. That’s who we are.” Biden noted that such building would pay off with jobs and growth in manufacturing. When it comes to our nation’s infrastructure, there is more at stake than detoured commutes and increased traffic. Infrastructure is a vital part of our everyday lives and is the foundation that drives our economy. Election season is a time to not only reflect on its importance but also to make your voices heard at the ballot box to change it for the better.

Tags: 2013 Report Card, infrastructure, water, water infrastructure
No Comments »

Advocate Profile: Amanda Hanaway-Corrente, PE, MBA

October 30th, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

Amanda being honored as Vermont’s 2011 Young Engineer of the Year. Her extensive work with ASCE set her apart from the competition.

Amanda Hanaway-Corrente, PE, MBA, is a member of the Vermont section. She works at the University of Vermont (UVM) Transportation Research Center (TRC) as the New England Transportation Consortium (NETC) Coordinator. She also represents the UVM TRC as the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTRANS) Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Liaison, ensuring strong communication between UVM and VAOT on various research initiatives. Amanda chaired the committee that produced the 2014 Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure, which was released October 16. She also chairs the Vermont Raise the Bar Committee. Amanda has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UVM, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island, and a Professional Engineering License in the State of Vermont. Her professional engineering license is in the field of transportation engineering as she has designed many roads, roundabouts, and parking lots prior to becoming involved in transportation research. If you are interested in becoming involved with ASCE’s Key Contact Program and promoting the profession through advocacy, learn more information and sign up at asce.org. How did you become interested in and get involved in advocacy for your profession? My first employer out of college was Stantec. I worked out of their South Burlington office and was strongly encouraged to get involved with engineering societies in Vermont. I started with ASCE, but have also held positions on the Board of Directors for the Vermont Society of Professional Engineers. I have attended several meetings for the Society of Women Engineers, Vermont Society of Engineers, and American Council of Engineering Companies as well. What issues have you highlighted/focused on when communicating with your legislators? Lately, my two major focal points have been the 2014 update to the Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure and the Raise the Bar initiative, since I am the chair of both committees in Vermont. Earlier this year I attended the annual ASCE Fly-In event on Capitol Hill, which had us focusing on the surface transportation reauthorization and the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. What levels of government have you focused your efforts on? I am currently trying to expand my network at the local, state, and federal levels. Opportunities that I use to accomplish this goal include:

Attending various conferences on behalf of the UVM, TRC and ASCE, taking each as an opportunity to meet people who affect change on a national level. For example, I attended the Annual ASCE Fly-In Event earlier this year.
Acting as a research liaison for my office with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, which provides the opportunity to make connections on the state level.
Staying involved with several engineering societies in Vermont in an effort to stay on top of local and state issues.
Attending events such as “The Day Under the Dome “at the Vermont Statehouse, which provides an opportunity to network with our legislators.

Most of my government relations activities are focused on State and Federal employees and appointees that do work in the field of transportation. The Vermont Section of ASCE just added the Government Relations Representative position to their Board of Directors last year. At this point, I am trying to learn who the various players are before crafting a specific plan or focus with respect to outreach and advocacy. One thing I have done to learn more is to reach out to several people with experience in advocacy to serve on committees with me. These folks have been instrumental in helping develop advocacy plans and mentoring me as a Government Relations Representative. I was recently interviewed by Vermont Public Radio for the release of the 2014 Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure on October 16^th. How do you gather information and prepare to do your advocacy work? The ASCE website is an excellent tool. I can always find PowerPoint presentations, guidelines, and other documents that help me get up to speed with the issues and how to advocate on their behalf. ASCE National has support staff for both the Raise the Bar Initiative and the State Infrastructure Report Cards. This staff is always very responsive to requests, and they have a lot of tools that might not even be on the website. I also use the Vermont Section Board of Directors and Regional Governors as a resource for a lot of issues. What have you learned through your activities as an ASCE advocate and citizen lobbyist? Prior to volunteering as the Vermont Section Government Relations Representative, I had limited knowledge about how the Legislature and Congress worked on a local, state or national level. I worked almost entirely in my silo of transportation engineering, design, and research. I am now much more familiar with the schedule, players, and processes associated with the Legislature and Congress. I am currently working with a committee to pass new legislation in the State of Vermont with respect to the Raise the Bar Initiative, and that committee includes a member of the Vermont House of Representatives. I have learned that having a member of the Legislature on your team is tremendously helpful for being an ASCE advocate and citizen lobbyist; their insight is invaluable. Has the experience helped you improve skills you utilize personally or professionally? Absolutely! Chairing two committees at once really sharpens my communication skills and efficiency. We try to accomplish the most amount of work with the least amount of effort, especially since we are all volunteering our time. The volunteers come from all over Vermont, so communication has to be done in a way that keeps everyone in the loop at all times and does not exclude anyone. With every ASCE Event I attend I expand my network to include more professionals in my industry. Since my job is focused on linking needs with available resources, having a diverse network is essential. What has been challenging about being an advocate? And how did you overcome them? My biggest challenge is trying not to push people too much. You have to remember that your fellow Section Board of Directors and committee members are all volunteering their time too. Sometimes personal matters come up and a Board Member has to back down from a committee, so the rest of the committee binds together to absorb the work. It is important to balance workloads among the committee members and push the goals of the committee forward, without burning people out. I try to be reasonable about expectations and not over commit the committee to unfeasible tasks and deadlines. At times where setting high effort, quick turnaround goals are necessary, it is important that the entire committee agree to the necessity before setting tasks and deadlines. What have you found rewarding about your efforts? Is there a particularly memorable experience you can share? The most rewarding aspect of being involved with ASCE is a sense of confidence in my abilities. I was very young when I was President of the Vermont Section, which provided me experience on how to manage a team before I was ever offered a role in management at my job. When I was finally offered a job in management, I had developed the experience to accept and fulfill my new management role confidently. The most rewarding moment of my career was being named Vermont’s 2011 Young Engineer of the Year. I am fairly certain that my work with ASCE set me apart from the other nominees. The very next year, the Vermont Section won the Outstanding Section & Branch 2012 Award for small sections. I remember the exact moment I found out that we had won: For the last few years, the Vermont Section has been hosting a Toys for Tots drive as our December Event. I was standing by the bar during the social hour of the event when one of our ASCE Regional Governors came up and told me the news. I immediately raised my fist in the air and jumped with delight, bumping into the man standing behind me and spilling most of his drink. I was so excited because I had worked really hard on filling out the application, a responsibility the Board of Directors had entrusted me with. Our section deserved the award and I found it so rewarding to be able to facilitate the effort to obtain it. In 2013, we won the Outstanding Section & Branch Award again, using the 2012 application as a template. Since then, my most recent memorable moment is being selected as a member to profile in ASCE’s new Advocacy Profile Spotlight! Moments like those remind me why I work so hard. Have you felt that your efforts have made a difference? How? I am sure that my efforts have made a difference in various ways, but the one example that stands out to me is being able to mentor young engineers. I am constantly offering help to college students and young engineers move forward in the professional world. There are so many career options for civil engineers and it can be scary when you are first starting out. The myriad of connections I have made in the engineering world through ASCE make me a valuable resource to these young engineers. I help them with resumes, mock interviews, which engineering companies exist, what the companies do, what would be the best fit based on the individual student, what certifications they should be working towards, etc. I have even helped students make regional and national connections. What advice would you give to someone interested in getting involved in advocacy? First, I would tell them that getting involved with ASCE was the most valuable thing I have done for my career. Then I would ask some pointed questions to help them determine what type of advocacy work would be best suited for them. I would also recommend them to get support from their employer. The value of being involved with ASCE is completely transferable to the work environment. If you can align your contributions to ASCE with work for your employer, the work’s value is increased significantly.

Tags: 2014 Report Card for Vermont’s Infrastructure, advocacy profile, Advocate, raise the bar, transportation, Vermont
No Comments »

This Week in Infrastructure: SOS for Depleting Infrastructure Funds: The Time to Act is Now!

October 24th, 2014 | By: Olivia Wolfertz

With the elections a little under two weeks away, a recent drop in oil prices and a current D+ report card in infrastructure, now is an opportune time for America to focus on transportation and infrastructure funding. The Highway Trust Fund is not only crucial for funding roads, bridges and transit, but necessary for states to partner in funding transportation projects. Our country needs to invest $3.6 trillion to make the necessary improvements in our infrastructure by 2020 with a current budget forecast of $2 trillion that leaves a $1.6 trillion gap. So what is the connection between declining oil prices and the trillion dollar gap in federal funding? According to USA Today, raising gas taxes while the prices are lower would be “the most painless way to begin addressing a problem that cannot be avoided much longer.” With gas prices down about 15 percent nationwide, Americans are paying an average of $3.14 a gallon, which is about 20 cents per gallon cheaper than this time last year. Despite legislators’ adversity to implementing a gas tax increase, the realization that we can pay now or pay more later is starting to be more widely recognized. This year six legislatures, including Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin, have placed actions on the November ballot to increase spending on roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure. States like Texas are proposing to transfer a portion of the state’s oil and gas production tax revenues to the State Highway Fund. Likewise in New Jersey, State Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox said, “Anyone who thinks we’re going to get this done without a tax is just mouthing”. Governor Chris Christie, initially opposed to raising a gas tax, has warmed up to the idea given the urgency of funding shortages. Unless we increase the gas tax to match 2014 inflation, slightly raising the gas tax alone will not provide enough funds to build the roads and rails necessary to foster economic growth. While ASCE supports raising the gas tax as a significant measure to generate funding, we recognize that a variety of measures are needed to provide long-term, sustainable funding that will #FixtheTrustFund.

Tags: 2013 State Report Card, Gax tax, highway trust fund
No Comments »