June 03, 2020
The following is a statement by K.N. Gunalan “Guna.” Ph.D., P.E., President, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in response to the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee’s 2020 surface transportation infrastructure bill, the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act: “The INVEST in America......
April 22, 2020
This week, the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee has released a draft of their bipartisan WRDA 2020 bill, entitled America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2020, which keeps Congress on track with the biennium WRDA reauthorization schedule. This bill authorizes $17 billion in infrastructure projects and reauthorizes the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund......
Mississippi’s Infrastructure Gets a ‘D+’; Grades Unveiled in Virtual Press Conference
April 14, 2020
The ASCE Mississippi Section released the 2020 Report Card for Mississippi’s Infrastructure this morning in a virtual news conference, announcing grades and solutions for 14 infrastructure categories. Due to the ongoing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and risks posed by large gatherings, the Section held the press conference virtually. Speakers included Jennifer Sloan Ziegler, Ph.D.,......
COVID-19 Relief Package Includes Win for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
March 27, 2020
The nation’s ports got a little love in the recently passed CARES Act, the colossal stimulus package that provides COVID-19 relief. In this legislation is a long-time ASCE priority: a provision that would unlock the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) and help ports that need dredging work. ASCE strongly advocated for the bipartisan Full Utilization......
COVID-19 Stimulus Relief Package Must Address Drinking Water, Wastewater
March 25, 2020
Safe and accessible drinking water. Properly treated wastewater. Reliable electricity that keeps the lights on. Ports and airports to move goods through the country and overseas safely. Highways, bridges, and public transportation to get people to the grocery, pharmacy, or doctor. These systems are part of the critical infrastructure that is imperative during the response......
Congress Looks to Protect Aviation Infrastructure During COVID-19
March 24, 2020
With negotiations in Congress underway over a third economic stimulus bill that would address the devastating economic impacts of COVID-19 (coronavirus), lawmakers have moved to address key components of our nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. ASCE and its coalition partners have taken this action due to the $10 billion in airport infrastructure emergency funds needed to......
Civil Engineers Outline Most Pressing Infrastructure Priorities for COVID-19 Relief
March 20, 2020
The following is a statement by Tom Smith, Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on infrastructure investment in further COVID-19 stimulus packages: “In this time of crisis, it is crucial that we not forget about the systems that keep our economy moving and are so critical to public health and safety, including transit,......
COVID -19 Hits Infrastructure Sectors
March 20, 2020
With the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic now impacting all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, life as we know it has ground to a halt. This has cascading impacts on the infrastructure sectors that engineers work on – from declining infrastructure revenue sources, such as state DOT and transit agency budgets, to delayed projects across the......
Maryland’s Infrastructure Grades Unveiled – Virtually
March 19, 2020
Maryland’s infrastructure has certainly improved in the past few years, particularly its roads and bridges—which fare better than the national averages. In fact, bridges are among the best in the nation. However, challenges remain with aging systems and its dense population. Today, the Maryland Section of ASCE released the 2020 Report Card for Maryland’s Infrastructure......
Energy Bill Amendment Addresses Energy Efficiency, Would Save Billions on Energy Bills
March 06, 2020
In efforts to curb climate change and make homes and businesses more energy efficient, the Senate is likely to vote next week on an amendment that would be a part of a larger energy bill currently under consideration on the Senate floor, the American Energy Innovation Act. This amendment, introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH)......