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......
The Highway Trust Fund Needs Fixing – New Report Looks at a VMT Tax
October 23, 2019
By 2022, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), the main funding source for the federal government’s investments in highway and transit infrastructure and primarily funded by the federal motor fuels tax, is set to dry up. In anticipation of this, Congress is looking at long-term solutions to fund our surface transportation systems. One of those proposed......
Take Some Time Today to Imagine a Day Without Water
October 23, 2019
Most of you have probably already had a cup or two of coffee today or started the laundry. Now imagine starting your day without that morning brew, brushing your teeth, or washing your toddler’s hands before breakfast. Imagine what it’s like to not have water, even for one day, and you can see life grinds......
Future World Vision Unveiled 2019 ASCE Convention With Extra Push for Infrastructure Advocacy
October 11, 2019
ASCE’s 2019 Convention looked a little different this year. Attendees are able to step inside a Floating City – the first installment in ASCE’s Future World Vision, which was officially unveiled at this year’s Convention. Outgoing ASCE President Robin A. Kemper opened the morning energizing the audience by sounding the alarm on infrastructure. In her......
Freight Movement Is On the Rise, So America’s Infrastructure Must Hold Its Weight
October 10, 2019
The national transportation and research group TRIP released a new report on October 3, 2019 detailing an expected 104% rise in annual freight transportation across the U.S. from 2016 to 2045. This increase in freight movement breeds challenges to the nation’s already aging infrastructure. The report, “America’s Rolling Warehouses: Opportunities And Challenges With The Nation’s......
103-Year-Old FHWA Rule that Prohibits Innovation Repealed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......
ASCE Testifies on Country’s Pressing Infrastructure Needs Before House Budget Committee
September 26, 2019
On September 25, the House Committee on the Budget, whose chief responsibility is to draft an annual concurrent resolution on the budget that provides a Congressional framework for spending and revenue levels, held is first hearing focusing on the nation’s infrastructure in recent memory. ASCE Board member and Director of Houston Public Works Carol Haddock......
Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Helps Cities and States Prepare for the Future Now
September 20, 2019
We’re at peak hurricane season, with the recent Hurricane Dorian squeaking by the Carolinas, but devastating the Bahamas. At the same time in Houston, torrential rain and deadly flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Imelda is canceling flights, leaving hundreds of cars abandoned in the roads, and turning roads into rivers. Now is an......
August Recess Winds Down, but All Eyes and Ears on Automated Vehicles
September 03, 2019
Automated systems are making their way into our commercial trucks and buses, intriguing both federal and state Departments of Transportation. This interest edges us closer to seeing more of these on the road, which means factors such as safety, regulation, and funding must be taken into consideration. In recent weeks, we saw the American Association......
U.S. Department of Agriculture Spotlights Inland Waterways with Town Hall and New Report
August 30, 2019
On Wednesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Assistant Secretary of the Army R.D. James hosted a town hall outside of St. Louis to highlight the relationship between the inland waterways and the American agriculture sector. Bill Stahlman, PE, M.ASCE represented the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at the town hall, offering......
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