Water main breaks, power outage and a thinning hourglass for federal highway funds
April 10, 2015
Water main breaks, potholes and power outages are all results of underinvestment in infrastructure. Infrastructure is interconnected and greatly impacts our daily lives and national economy. The highway and transit policy and expires 51 days from today so it is critical that Congress act quickly to find a sustainable, long-term funding solution. Aging water infrastructure......
Michigan Must Say Yes to Safer Roads
April 08, 2015
In Michigan, a common saying is “there are two seasons: winter and road construction.” Rough winters and underinvestment for the past 50 years have led the Great Lakes state to have some of the worst roads in the nation. And while construction season may seem constant during the warmer months, the truth is currently the......
8 Amazing 1940s American Infrastructure Images
April 06, 2015
As part of the Library of Congress’ Bound for Glory: America in Color exhibition of newly digitized color images taken of 1940s America, several show the infrastructure that people made their livings working on and that helped grow the country. The photographs are by famed photographers such as John Vachon, Jack Delano, Russell Lee, and......
Transportation Knows Neither Red Nor Blue
April 03, 2015
With the Grow America Act gaining national attention and an increasing number of states raising their gas tax, our nation’s infrastructure funding needs are being addressed more intentionally. However, with the federal surface transportation bill (MAP-21) expiring at the end of May, Congress is running out of time to pass a sustainable funding solution. In......
ASCE Recognizes Lawmakers’ Infrastructure Leadership
April 02, 2015
To successfully save America’s infrastructure, the U.S. needs strong leaders dedicated to investing in our roads, bridges, water pipes, levees and other infrastructure. Two such lawmakers who exhibit bold leadership and resolve to improve our nation’s infrastructure are Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Bill Shuster (R-PA). In recognition of both lawmakers’ efforts to prioritize......
It’s Time Again to GROW America
April 01, 2015
During a recent interview with Politico’s Mike Allen, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx noted that the nation’s transportation system is “in a huge ditch.” Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) unveiled its idea on how to get America out of that ditch with their GROW America proposal. If the name sounds familiar, it’s......
ASCE Members Meet With US Lawmakers
March 30, 2015
“Let’s win this for our country,” proclaimed ASCE President Robert D. Stevens, PhD, PE to a room of nearly 200 ASCE members who descended on the nation’s capital to encourage members of Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund last week. The group visited Washington, D.C. as part of the 15th annual ASCE Legislative Fly-In,......
Two Year Anniversary of the Report Card
March 27, 2015
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......
March 24, 2015
A growing number of states are taking action during their legislative sessions to increase investment in transportation. This trend is in vogue for several reasons. First, many states that have taken action have done so after years of kicking the can down the road. For example, Iowa’s 10-cent increase is the first boost since 1989.......
March 20, 2015
With spring approaching and our nation’s roads baring the battle scars of another rough winter, the dialogue surrounding the Highway trust Fund and need for a sustainable transportation solution is accelerating at the federal level and inspiring states to take more action. In Michigan, residents have responded to their road needs by creating a pothole......