ASCE Releases Preliminary Data on Investment Trends in Transit, Roads, and Bridges
September 22, 2020
With the impending expiration of the FAST Act on September 30, the American Society of Civil Engineers released new data on transit systems, roads, and bridges, showing that the current transportation system investment trends are unsustainable, producing dire consequences for the American people and the economy. The cumulative investment gap between what we are currently......
June 19, 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 passage of 2020 surface transportation reauthorization, the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act: “We are encouraged......
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......
New Bridge Data Support Subpar 2017 Grade
April 13, 2020
The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has released its annual Bridge Report based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 2019 National Bridge Inventory. ARTBA’s Bridge Report confirms the “C+” grade given in ASCE’s 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Both reports illustrate that while the overall number of bridges deemed structurally deficient is decreasing,......
State DOTs Request $50 Billion In Emergency Relief Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
April 08, 2020
As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take hold over our nation, state departments of transportation (DOT) are beginning to see a dramatic revenue loss as Americans stay in quarantine. To combat these losses, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) urged Congress this week to provide $50 billion in......
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......
Senate Panel Begins Work on Transit Reauthorization Bill
February 26, 2020
In historic fashion this week, the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee heard the perspectives of national stakeholders on transit investment needs for the upcoming reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs. This was the first public hearing, other than nominations, that the Committee has held on transit infrastructure in several reauthorization cycles, and......
Highway Trust Fund Remains in Trouble
February 05, 2020
As we approach the expiration of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, both the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Congressional Budget Office (CBO)have issued reports highlighting the long-term financial health of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). First established in 1956, the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is the federal fund that pays for bridges, roads,......
House Democrats Unveil Infrastructure Framework
January 31, 2020
After much anticipation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA12), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR4), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ6), and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA1), introduced an infrastructure investment framework that would invest $760 billion over five years in our nation’s roads, bridges, transit and rail systems,......
November 21, 2019
State departments of transportation (DOT) might be able to breathe easier this weekend. Thanks to the efforts of ASCE members and government relations staff, the Society was successful in the repeal of the $7.6 billion rescission, or cancellation, of unobligated highway contract authority under the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) scheduled to take effect on July......