Congress Averts Shutdown Approving Sweeping Spending Deal
December 20, 2019
In the midst of the political turmoil and tensions on Capitol Hill and the deadline to fund the government looms, Congress simultaneously reached a bipartisan $1.4 trillion spending package that funds the government through September 2020. This spending package includes core infrastructure programs for fiscal year (FY) 2020. Congressional leadership developed two ‘minibuses’ (H.R. 1865......
November 21, 2019
State departments of transportation (DOT) might be able to breathe easier this weekend. Thanks to the efforts of ASCE members and government relations staff, the Society was successful in the repeal of the $7.6 billion rescission, or cancellation, of unobligated highway contract authority under the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) scheduled to take effect on July......
November 21, 2019
We rely on our infrastructure every day, but on Thanksgiving, it’s especially clear that our built systems play a critical role in supporting or lives. As you head to the airport, board a train, or get behind the wheel, consider the effort required to maintain and enhance the infrastructure that gets us to and from......
Proposal to Improve Bridge Inspection Program Announced
November 15, 2019
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently issued a proposal to the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) that would improve oversight of U.S. bridge inspections. The FHWA proposal addresses requirements set by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Offering states the varying inspection methods in determining inspection intervals for bridges, each......
States Could Face Surface Transportation Performance Goal Penalties
November 05, 2019
As we move into reauthorizing the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, recently reported data shows Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia will need to spend a collective $1.8 billion prior to September 30, 2020—the FAST Act expiration— on improvements to National Highway......
103-Year-Old FHWA Rule that Prohibits Innovation Repealed
October 01, 2019
For the past century, states were not allowed to use “proprietary” products on their federally funded projects. In other words, states could not use federal aid to use or buy patented or propriety products and also limited specifications or processes for bridge and highway projects eligible for funds under the federal-aid highway programs –even if......
Thirteen States Increase Their Gas Tax – Just in Time for Summer
July 18, 2019
Across the country, many states are proving that funding and modernizing infrastructure is a key priority. We just saw Illinois pass a massive, bipartisan transportation package in June as a part of the “Rebuild Illinois Plan,” which created new revenue for roads and bridges, as well as increased the vehicle registration fee and added an......
New Bipartisan Report Stresses Investing in Nation’s Infrastructure is Common Sense
May 30, 2019
Last week’s meeting between President Trump, Speaker Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and Democratic leaders that was supposed to turn the $2 trillion infrastructure bill discussions into policy and funding proposals was interfered by politics once again. Regardless of political drama in DC, the House and Senate are going full steam ahead in introducing infrastructure......
Infrastructure Week: #BuildForTomorrow
May 16, 2019
The mood this Infrastructure Week was optimistic, with the timing perfectly sandwiched between two important meetings: the April 30th discussion between Democratic leaders in Congress and President Trump to discuss a $2 trillion investment solution and a scheduled next week to discuss funding solutions for this plan. Excitement was in the air from the DMV to Texas,......
U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Hears Infrastructure Investment Priorities
May 03, 2019
There’s more blooming this spring than just flowers; so are discussions in the House and Senate on infrastructure investment. This week, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a Members’ Day Hearing as an opportunity for all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss their infrastructure investment priorities before the Committee. Lawmakers......