New Year, New Congress, New Hope for Infrastructure Investment
January 09, 2015
It’s a new year, and with a new Congress in session, there is hope that a federal funding solution for infrastructure can soon be reached. Congress has given us reasons to be optimistic, with more bipartisan support for infrastructure funding buzzing at the federal level. Upon reflecting on the past year’s infrastructure challenges, ranging from......
2014 ASCE Government Relations Year in Review
January 01, 2015
ASCE staff and members worked throughout the year on a variety of issues important to the profession. From the passage and enactment of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act in the spring and early summer, to the #FixTheTrustFund campaign throughout the summer, and state and local ballot initiatives supporting infrastructure investment this fall, we......
Dams in 26 States Are Getting Some TLC
December 30, 2014
While the average person might think it’s just about farms, the Farm Bill funding for dams was perhaps one of the most unsung wins for infrastructure in 2014. The 2014 Farm Bill that Congress passed in the summer provided USDA with $262 million to distribute to states for rehabilitating dams. The funding provided rehabilitation assistance......
San Francisco Strengthens Water Pipelines Against Earthquake Vulnerabilities
December 23, 2014
With a D+ cumulative grade for our nation’s infrastructure and the federal Highway Trust Funding heading toward a fiscal cliff in May 2015, the great infrastructure innovations happening around the country are often overlooked. The recently updated 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure highlights 20 new successful projects and initiatives that each improve our nation’s......
Michigan Legislature Defers to the Public on Gas Tax
December 22, 2014
Last week Michigan’s House and Senate leadership worked tirelessly with Governor Rick Snyder to reach a deal before closing out the 2014 legislative session. The House and Senate initially passed differing transportation funding measures. Both would have increased investment in Michigan roads however, the funding methods were vastly different. With neither chamber willing to accept......
This Week in Infrastructure: The Cascading Effect of Aging Infrastructure
December 19, 2014
As the weather changes and our infrastructure continues to be neglected, issues and disruptions are increasing. Infrastructure collapses, like the water main break in DC, remind us that failing infrastructure is fragile and unpredictable—and should be continuously maintained to help prevent a crisis. On Tuesday in Washington, D.C., a 12-inch water main ruptured below......
Nevada Report Card Reveals a $15B Infrastructure Problem
December 16, 2014
During the past twenty years Nevada experienced one of the largest growth surges in the country and then one of the worst downturns from late 2008 through 2013. This roller coaster economy decreased funding levels and preventive maintenance suffered leaving many infrastructure systems underfunded. Hardest hit may be school facilities in both rural communities and......
State Legislators Come Together to Discuss Infrastructure Issues
December 15, 2014
State legislators and legislative staff from around the country gathered in Washington, DC last week to share innovative solutions to the pressing problems facing states, and infrastructure issues were among the topics they tackled. During National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) annual Fall Forum, several sessions focused on infrastructure issues that are facing state policymakers. ......
This Week in Infrastructure: All the Reasons to Fix the Trust Fund
December 12, 2014
Reports on transportation investment and its overall benefits to the economy provide incentive for Congress to #FixTheTrustFund as state lawmakers make their own push for infrastructure investment. On Tuesday, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released the 2015 Bottom Line Report, which thoroughly evaluated......
Advocate Profile: Shawn Kelley, Ph.D., P.E., M. ASCE
December 11, 2014
Shawn Kelley Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE is an active member of the Vermont section. He works as a firm shareholder for GeoDesign, Inc. a consulting firm headquartered in Middlebury, CT, providing geotechnical, construction, and environmental engineering consulting services to the design and construction industry. He works in the Windsor, VT office managing civil engineering projects related......