Author Archive
Infrastructure in the News: Winter Weather Water Woes
January 22nd, 2016 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
With heavy snow targeting the Northeast and a contaminated water crisis in Flint, Mich., our water and transportation infrastructure have become a heavy topic of discussion this week. Besides snow days and curling up by the fire, winter weather brings wear and tear on our nation’s roads, water pipes and power lines. Colorado, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee, have all experienced water main breaks in the past week due to cold weather conditions. This time of year also magnifies the many potholes that plague our nation’s roads. Oregon, New York, South Dakota, Iowa and Idaho all have their fair share of pothole damage that is exacerbated by the cold weather. In Houston, Texas, Mayor Sylvester Turner even launched an initiative to fill potholes that Houstonians report within 24 hours by using a website where residents can track and report potholes. In addition to water main breaks, water infrastructure has also been under scrutiny due to the recent water crisis in Flint, Mich. In his State of the State Address, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder noted that there are pipes underneath Michigan roads that are more than 100 years old. He requested $28 million in additional funds from the state legislature to provide for the residents affected by the crisis, provide additional testing for high risk locations and conduct an infrastructure integrity study to fix the pipes and other connections. In Vermont, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the five-year cost of cleaning up Vermont’s water is about $154 million. Clearly the importance of diligent maintenance and funding cannot be over-stressed when it comes to our nation’s transportation and water infrastructure. It’s up to our elected leaders at the federal, state, and local levels to continue prioritizing investment into the backbone of our economy.Infrastructure in the News: New Year Inspires New Ideas
January 15th, 2016 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
The new year is off to a roaring start, with Washington, D.C. releasing its first infrastructure report card, ASCE issuing its Moore, Oklahoma tornado report and many states addressing their infrastructure plans for 2016. ASCE’s National Capital Section released the 2016 Report Card for D.C.’s Infrastructure January 14, giving the nation’s capital a grade of C- overall, with transportation receiving the lowest individual grade. According to The Washington Post, D.C.’s roads are considered some of the most congested in the nation. An article in The Guardian explored how gridlock in D.C. and other U.S. cities not only prolongs daily commutes but also raises concern for safety in the event of an emergency evacuation. It is safe to say that gridlock can be agreed upon by ASCE, lawmakers and the American public, as a paramount issue worth addressing. With the new year, many states are taking a fresh look at ways to revitalize their infrastructure. New York, Connecticut, Indiana, California are all contemplating funding methods such as tolling, gas tax increases and annual vehicle fees to fund infrastructure. ASCE also released its Moore Oklahoma tornado report this week, which addressed the findings of a team of ASCE engineers who deployed to Moore to assess buildings destroyed in the May 2013 tornado. While the report focuses on the importance of codes and standards in building construction design, it provides important reminders on the need to invest in infrastructure to make buildings more safe and resilient against natural disasters. Whether it be improving our transportation network or improving structural resiliency, our infrastructure requires constant upkeep. In just over a year, the American Society of Civil Engineers will release its 2017 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, providing an in-depth assessment of the state of our nation’s infrastructure. In the meantime, it’s up to our elected leaders at the federal, state, and local levels to continue prioritizing investment into the backbone of our economy.2015 Media Relations Year in Review
January 8th, 2016 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
Last year, ASCE was mentioned in the media more than 12,900 times in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries around the world, including 27 major print and broadcast media outlets and wire services. ASCE members and staff interviewed on everything from the state of the nation’s infrastructure to fixing the Highway Trust Fund to Game Changers to the impact of natural disasters on infrastructure. Here are some of the major highlights from 2015: HBO’s Last W
eek Tonight with John Oliver (3/2/15) highlighting the state of the nation’s infrastructure
- Episode has been viewed more than 5.9 million times on YouTube
Op-ed in The Hill (7/27/15) authored by Bob Stevens touting ASCE’s Game Changers report.
CNBC Closing Bell interview (5/13/15) with Brian Pallasch following the Philadelphia Amtrak derailment
Fix the Trust Fund national radio tour led by Andy Herrmann
- Total listenership: 11.9 million
- Total number of airings: 2,064
- Number of stations airing: 1,814
Infrastructure in the News: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Infrastructure Investment
December 18th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
The holidays are finally here, which means lots of travel. And with the new year, it will also mean we can look forward to much-needed funding for our nation’s beleaguered infrastructure. According to AAA, the number of year-end holiday travelers will top 100 million for the first time on record. Nearly one in three Americans will travel this holiday season, and more than 90 percent of travelers will be driving to their destinations. AAA President and CEO Marshall Doney said that, “rising incomes and low gas prices are helping to fill stockings this year, and more people than ever will choose to spend those savings on travel.” Aside from holiday travel, many states are beginning to discuss ways to generate more state-level funds for infrastructure projects. Alabama, Missouri, New Mexico and Indiana are contemplating a potential gas tax increase for the new year. California is considering a new way to raise money for road repairs by keeping track of vehicle mileage with stickers or electronics. In response to declining revenues and increased road congestion, the District of Columbia is discussing a user-pay system through tolls as a replacement for fuel taxes. While states continue to strive towards solutions to compensate for the funding gap in the FAST Act, we are thankful that Congress passed a five-year bill that will finally jump-start infrastructure projects in the new year.Infrastructure in the News: States Plan Ahead
December 12th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
With the holidays around the corner and a long-term transportation bill signed into law, this week’s headlines have centered on states’ reactions to the funds they have been granted from the FAST Act. In New Mexico, the state delegation announced that more than $11.5 million will be available to rebuild infrastructure damaged by severe storms and flooding, including areas impacted by Hurricane Odile in September 2014. While this funding does not come directly from the FAST Act, it is provided through the USDOT Emergency Relief Program. In West Virginia, the FAST Act will bring in transportation funding over the next five years that will go a long way toward building new roads, repairing existing roads, and fixing dilapidated bridges. In addition to transportation infrastructure, states are looking forward to federal funds being appropriated for recreational trail development across the US. In Oregon, the Oregon Parks and Recreational Department is inviting public comment on a draft plan for recreational trails. But there are still reminders that this bill does not fully address our nation’s transportation needs. In Ohio, the bill was met with mixed reactions — relief that there will be some funding but disappointment that there will not be the level of increase needed to address the current backlog of projects. In Tennessee, TDOT has expressed frustration that their transportation needs won’t be done for 51 years, assuming only a 2 percent funding increase and that nothing new is added to what the Department of Transportation already has on its plate. In Massachusetts, local lawmakers and civic leaders were relieved to get enough funding for critical infrastructure projects, but recognizing that they must take further steps to provide for their investment needs. While the Report Card shows that we still have a funding gap, we are pleased that Congress passed a five-year bill that increased investment.Infrastructure in the News: Infrastructure on the FAST track to improvement
December 4th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
The bipartisan Congressional approval of the FAST Act (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation) and the release of Hilary Clinton’s infrastructure proposal make this week a busy one indeed. After numerous short-term transportation bill patches and long hours of negotiating, Congress has finally approved a five-year, $305 billion highway, transit and railway authorization bill that President Obama is expected to sign today. The FAST Act reaches beyond funding highways, as it also provides for our nation’s bridges, transit, rail lines, freight and ports. The bill also includes the first grant program guaranteeing financing for large-scale freight projects that could help loosen a freight bottleneck in Chicago or construct a rail-freight tunnel in New York Harbor. American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President and CEO Kurt Nangle said he is pleased by “the broad eligibility of seaports for infrastructure grants and other financing in this bill,” and was encouraged that the FAST Act recognizes the importance of seaports and freight network to the nation’s economy, job creation and international competitiveness. “For the first time we have dedicated funding for multimodal freight projects,” said Nangle. Many states are expressing their excitement to be able to start funding projects with the FAST Act’s provision. Pennsylvania is planning to fund much-needed bridge repairs, counties in Florida are planning to complete numerous road projects, and Nebraska will now be able to tend to hundreds of bridges and roads that need repairs. In addition to the FAST Act, Hilary Clinton also released her proposal for infrastructure spending, calling for $275 billion in new spending on roads, bridges, rails, airports and other sectors. Because our nation’s infrastructure investment needs are so high, the Clinton proposal is a promising step in the right direction. ASCE is pleased that Congress has agreed on a long-term surface transportation bill that will provide our nation with the increased funding we need to invest in our infrastructure.Infrastructure in the News: Innovation and Investment
November 13th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
With one week left until the House and Senate must negotiate on a compromise between the two pending transportation bills, the DRIVE Act and the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform Act (STRRA), our infrastructure’s future continues to take center stage. ASCE and a group of 39 other transportation groups and unions wrote a letter to the House and Senate surface transportation conference committee in support of a five-year highway and transit bill that will increase investment levels. They noted that, “While the reliability of future federal highway and public transportation funds is a critical benefit of a multi-year reauthorization bill, such predictability alone is not sufficient to drive needed surface transportation improvements.” When it comes to predicting the future of our nation’s infrastructure, many wonder what that will look like. Articles in Forbes, DCInno and Athens Banner-Herald emphasized the need to not only invest in infrastructure, but to think strategically about how and where investment should be made. Will the rise of smart cars (autonomous vehicles) play into how we invest in our infrastructure? While questions like this can only be hypothesized, these articles suggest the importance of considering how technological advancements will impact our infrastructure needs down the line when planning funding. Infrastructure trends featured in #GameChangers are examples of how innovation is changing the way infrastructure is designed and built and can help us better envision the future. While projections of our nation’s future infrastructnure landscape have marked this week’s headlines, these ideas cannot get too far without a stable, federal funding source. Hopefully Congress can compromise on a bill that provides increased funding to give states the certainty they need to ot just maintain but modernize our nation’s infrastructure.Infrastructure in the News: A Major Bill Goes to Conference
November 6th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
With the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform Act of 2015 moving to conference committee and elections on Tuesday, news headlines have been buzzing with wishes and concerns for our nation’s infrastructure. The House has officially approved the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform Act, a six-year bipartisan bill that will provide flat-level funding. The bill must now be reconciled with the Senate’s DRIVE Act in a conference committee working toward a deadline of Nov. 20—when the current short-term extension expires. This decision has sparked many concerns that the bill only continues with the status quo rather than increasing investment to improve our infrastructure. While there are many economic reasons for investing in infrastructure, the safety reasons are equally critical. The New York Times noted that much of our infrastructure—from dams to roads—is operating beyond its intended design life and that modernization will allow for newer design standards, while also enhancing safety. Infrastructure safety concerns are not limited to roads, but expand to bridges, dams and railroads. The House of Representatives has adopted an amendment directing the U.S. DOT to develop a full strategy to address “structurally deficient” and “functionally obsolete” bridges within the next year. A multi-year surface transportation bill is an important step in addressing our nation’s infrastructure needs. With that being said, flat funding won’t be enough to adequately modernize our infrastructure.New Highway Bill Proposed; Nation’s Patience Wearing Thin
October 23rd, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
With just six days left until MAP-21’s expiration, all eyes are looking to the U.S. House to pass a long-term surface transportation bill. Yet, even if they do so by next week, another extension of MAP-21 will be necessary in order to iron out differences between the House and Senate-passed bills. Earlier this week, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed the bipartisan Surface Transportation Re-authorization and Reform Act. According to The Hill, the bill would authorize spending $261 billion on highways, $55 billion on transit and approximately $9 billion on safety programs over the course of six years. However, the House has not yet identified the source of the additional billions of dollars necessary to support this level of investment. It is critical that the House pass this bill now in order to reach an agreement with the Senate on a final, compromise legislative package. While ASCE supports continued funding for highway and transit programs included in the bill, increased long-term investment would, “provide states with greater certainty that the federal government is a trusted partner in transportation.” Many citizens have responded to the latest bill with disappointment. Op-eds in Engineering News-Record, Bloomberg, Baltimore Sun, Herald Independent and The Southern share common frustrations with the bill’s failure to significantly increase investment and Congress’ inability to make headway towards finding a funding solution. States will be forced to react to potential insolvency of the Highway Trust Fund in November. Michigan’s House proposed a transportation funding package that would devote an extra $1.2 billion for roads from a dividend of sources including registration fees, increased gas taxes and tax relief through a Homestead Property Tax Credit. And states like Georgia are considering postponing transportation projects altogether for the upcoming winter months. Congress’ decision on this bill will have ripple effects on our nation’s transportation network and ultimately our economy. ASCE needs you to contact your House member and urge support of the House bill so funding can be addressed in conference with the Senate. Tell your Representative to support a six-year transportation bill with increased investment.Water Infrastructure Tested as Transportation Funding Deadline Approaches
October 16th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
Flash floods, water main breaks and lingering damage from dam failures in South Carolina due to flooding have drenched the news headlines this week. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, the House is scrambling to come up with a plan for reauthorizing the surface transportation bill before the Oct. 29 deadline. Yesterday, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) announced their latest bill, The Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, and scheduled the committee mark-up of the bill for Oct. 22. In response to the rapidly-approaching deadline, Rep. John Delaney wrote a letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster cautioning him that “continuing baseline funding levels will only lead to a further deterioration of our already failing infrastructure.” According to a new poll from AAA, 70 percent of Americans believe the federal government should invest more than it currently does for roads, bridges and mass transit systems. Likewise, only 38 percent of Americans believe that Congress is taking the necessary steps to meet the needs of our nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems. Meanwhile, flood damage in South Carolina and mudslides in California have dominated the headlines. In response to the widespread devastation in South Carolina two weeks ago, SCDOT reemphasized the state’s need for infrastructure funding. In California, extreme flooding caused by El Nino triggered a mudslide about 30 miles from Los Angeles. This incident shines a light on California’s vulnerable dams. According to the US Army Corp of Engineers, California has 1,594 dams and more than 50 percent are listed as high-hazard dams. The mudslide also resulted in road closings which inconvenienced drivers. Traffic headaches caused by overflowing water are not limited to natural disasters, as a water main break this week outside of Washington, D.C. demonstrated. The event flooded nearby roads with gallons of water, also causing 250 local residents to lose power. Whether dams or water mains, clearly the nation’s water infrastructure is aging and needs investment. With the October 29 deadline looming, Congress must work together to pass a long-term surface transportation bill and #Fix the Trust Fund.
