President Signs Earthquake Program Reauthorization
December 20, 2018
On December 11th, President Trump signed S. 1768, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), which reauthorizes the federal program to improve the nation’s earthquake preparedness for five years. The legislation is the first reauthorization of the NEHRP in 15 years and the program has operated without an authorization since October of 2009. In addition......
New Report Affirms Higher Gas Tax is Needed to Restore Our Interstates
December 07, 2018
On Thursday, December 6, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Committee for a Study of the Future Interstate Highway System, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB) released a congressionally mandated report, “Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future.” Norman R. Augustine, formerly of Lockheed Martin Corporation,......
Montana Infrastructure Earns a “C”
December 06, 2018
Today, civil engineers in Montana released the 2018 Report Card for Montana’s Infrastructure at the State Capitol. Montana earned an overall grade of a “C,” meaning the state’s infrastructure systems are generally in mediocre condition. The Report Card graded ten categories: bridges, drinking water, dams, energy, rail, roads, schools, solid waste, stormwater, and wastewater. Rail......
ASCE Gives Thanks for Infrastructure Successes
November 21, 2018
It’s that time of the year again – turkey, time off work to be with family and friends, and traveling headaches due to crowded airports and traffic on the highways. This week, millions of people around the country are traveling by way of plane, car, train, or bus to visit their loved ones near and......
Infrastructure Proves to be Priority on Election Night
November 07, 2018
Infrastructure investment was again a prevailing theme on ballots in many states this past election season. The midterm election poised an opportunity for states to create new revenue streams as well as secure existing ones. Let’s recap what happened with infrastructure initiatives on state ballots: California rejected a repeal of the 10-cent gas tax increase......
Infrastructure a Central Issue in the 2018 Election
November 05, 2018
The top issues in the 2018 election look a little different from previous elections. Conversations and plans around infrastructure have crept up in campaign debates all over the country, when this topic normally would not hit the desk of the newly elected official, or incumbent, until after Election Day. The Brookings Institution released a report......
Vote for Infrastructure on November 6th!
November 02, 2018
Vote on November 6th It’s officially November, meaning election day is just around the corner. With November 6th days away, take the weekend to map out your voting plan of action. First, find out if you’re already registered to vote then identify your polling precinct and determine how and when you’ll vote. If you aren’t......
October 25, 2018
The national transportation research group TRIP released a new report on October 17, 2018 identifying the urban areas with the roughest roads and highest costs for drivers across the country. “Bumpy Roads Ahead: America’s Roughest Rides and Strategies to make our Roads Smoother” found that one third of the nation’s major urban roads are in......
Minnesota Earns a “C” in First Infrastructure Report Card
October 10, 2018
On Tuesday, October 9, civil engineers gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol for the release of the first-ever Report Card for Minnesota’s Infrastructure. The Report Card gave the state’s infrastructure an overall GPA of “C” and evaluated and graded nine individual infrastructure categories: aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, ports, roads, transit, and wastewater.......
Chairman Shuster Releases Infrastructure Proposal
July 25, 2018
This week, U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) released his long-awaited infrastructure discussion draft. Key components of the plan include fixing the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), investing in transportation and water resources infrastructure, financing innovative projects, and accelerating project delivery. The plan also calls for an increase of 15 cents per......