Congratulations USDOT Smart Cities Challenge Winner, Columbus!
June 28th, 2016 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) revealed Columbus, Ohio, was the winner of their Smart Cities Challenge, showcasing an innovative transportation strategy made possible through investment in smart city technology. Like ASCE’s #GameChangers project which shows inspiring examples of innovative trends happening with our nation’s infrastructure, all 77 of the proposals submitted to the Challenge from across the country show how much potential can be unleashed with innovative concepts and new ideas. Columbus’ proposal calls for autonomous transit shuttles between neighborhoods and urban centers, expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, and universal fare cards that allow cardholders to pay for any form of public transit using a variety of payment methods. Columbus and USDOT officials believe these investments will modernize transportation across the city, while opening up greater access to healthcare and jobs for families living in lower income areas. As the winner of the Smart Cities Challenge, Columbus will receive $40 million from USDOT, $10 million from Vulcan, Inc. and $90 million in matching grants from other local private partners to bring their proposal into reality. Raising America’s infrastructure grades starts with great projects like this one in Columbus, but every project should be an opportunity to change the infrastructure game and build the cities of the future. Tell us what’s happening near you to change the infrastructure in, around, and under your city.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.Trust Fund Patches Won't Patch Potholes
May 22nd, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
Just in time for the start of summer travel and construction season, the Highway Trust Fund received yet another short-term extension this week. Congress has “punted” once again on passing a long-term highway and transit funding solution until July 31, 2015. This short-term patch is just the latest of temporary solution over the past six years. The Atlantic discussed Congress’ short-term patch response to extending the Highway Trust Fund another two months as a bipartisan issue. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) told the Huffington Post that his own party was to blame for the absence of long-term solution and that a “true conservative” would support federal spending for roads and bridges. With funds dwindling, states are worried about the lack of federal funding for summer construction projects, announcing that construction projects like the Ashford Avenue Bridge Project and $36 million worth of projects in Montana could suffer if the Federal Highway Trust Fund expires. Wisconsin Public Radio used the recent Amtrak derailment to underscore the importance of addressing our nation’s infrastructure needs. ASCE’s Senior Managing Director Casey Dinges, who spoke on the program, stressed the importance of learning from past infrastructure calamities, noting that, “those events do capture the public’s attention, and regardless of the causes of some of these incidences, it does create an opportunity for people to talk about infrastructure needs.” With Memorial Day approaching May 25, our highway, bridge and aviation infrastructure will be put to the test. AAA Mid-Atlantic expects more than 800,000 area residents to be traveling at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday, which is the most for any Memorial Day weekend in a decade. The increased number of vehicles on the nation’s deteriorating highways will undoubtedly also have safety implications. According to ASCE’s Report Card, roadway conditions are a significant factor in approximately one-third of all U.S. traffic fatalities and cost the U.S. economy $230 billion each year. In addition to roads, air transportation is also in need of tremendous investment and modernization. The House of Representatives released a report of U.S. airports, showing how they have failed to keep up with passenger capacity needs. The report highlights the significant challenges airports face during peak travel periods and delays due to inclement weather. Despite these unresolved issues, passenger fees continue to rise. Upgrade My Airport has released a petition to persuade Congress to upgrade our airports. Because infrastructure affects each one of us every day it is critical that Congress feels the pressure to come up with a long-term, sustainable funding solution and pass a multiyear bill by the end of July. If you want to get involved, please write to members of Congress why they need to fix the Highway Trust Fund.Tags: 2013 Report Card, aviation, highway trust fund, roads
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Two Year Anniversary of the Report Card
March 27th, 2015 | By: Olivia Wolfertz
Two years ago this month, we released our 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Our nation’s D+ infrastructure grade is critical to share as we advocate for infrastructure investment, especially given the Highway Trust Fund is headed toward insolvency this summer. Over the past year, ASCE and the Report Card have received more than 24,000 total mentions since its release in 2013. In 2014 alone, there have been over 9,000 media mentions in all 50 states and 15 countries around the world. The majority of these mentions discuss the findings of the Report Card and the $3.6 trillion investment needed by 2020. We are proud that every day the hard work of our members earns the attention of the media and the public. To celebrate a successful year of coverage and meaningful conversations here is a compilation of a few of our favorite media mentions. CBS News—part 1 and part 2 CBS-60 Minutes HBO-John Oliver Show CSPAN NBC Nightly News Marketplace RadioThis 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
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