Rock the Vote for Infrastructure on Nov. 4
October 31, 2014
Have you ever taken the bus to work? Driven across a bridge? Turned on the faucet for a drink of water? You may have even noticed that some of these roads and bridges are in need of some TLC. Perhaps, you’ve heard news stories about how water becomes scarce at the time of drought, or......
Say “No” to Aging Infrastructure Massachusetts: Vote “No” on Question 1!
October 09, 2014
A statewide ballot question that would eliminate gas tax indexing will appear on the November ballot. The passage of Question 1 would be a step backward for the state, causing roads and bridges to fall into further disrepair. The Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section has endorsed the Committee for Safer Roads and Bridges campaign......
21-Year-Old Gas Tax Rate Still Holding Up America’s Roads & Bridges
October 01, 2014
The following is a statement from Randall (Randy) S. Over, P.E., F.ASCE, president of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), regarding the 21st anniversary of the last federal gas tax increase: “Today the federal gas tax’s 18.4-cent rate turns 21. While this is a rite of passage for American college students, this milestone is......
Summer Travel Boom as Americans Hit the Road
September 05, 2014
After being cooped up inside for what was in some parts of the country the coldest and snowiest winter on record, it appears based upon latest data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that Americans traveled on our roadways in force this spring and early summer. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a common measure of roadway......
This Week in Infrastructure: Get Noisier!
August 08, 2014
After Congress hit the snooze button on fixing the Highway Trust Fund last week, Transportation Secretary Foxx asked Americans to “get a little noisier” on the issue. You can take Sec. Foxx up on his request at FixtheTrustFund.org. Newspapers across the country featured articles, op-eds, and letters to the editor voicing concerns about Congress’ punt......
This Week in Infrastructure: The House Approves a Highway Trust Fund Patch
July 18, 2014
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a short-term bill to keep the Highway Trust Fund up and running until May 2015. While Democrats were hesitant about the proposal, ultimately the bill passed with bipartisan support, 367-55. In a statement commenting on its passage, ASCE reiterated the need for a long-term, sustainable funding solution. A......
Highway Fix Still Uncertain as USDOT Puts State Agencies on Notice
July 01, 2014
The stakes just got raised even while it seems we are no closer to a funding fix. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx announced plans for slowing reimbursements to states from the traditional twice a day method to every other week, starting on August 1 due to the low balance in the Fund. The......
This Week in Infrastructure: A Highway Trust Fund Patch Proposal
June 27, 2014
With Highway Trust Fund insolvency just nine weeks away, Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden offered a $9 billion plan as a short-time fix. If passed, this six-month funding proposal would give Congress time to find a long-term, sustainable funding source for the Highway Trust Fund. However, not all members are pleased with the option of......
This Week in Infrastructure: Bipartisan Ideas
June 20, 2014
The gas tax getting a raise was an idea everyone was talking about this week. From USA TODAY’s editorial urging lawmakers to set aside gimmicks in favor of sustainable funding solutions to a bipartisan proposal to raise the gas tax 12 cents. In an unprecedented bipartisan effort, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Chris Murphy......
New Congressional Proposal Offers Gas Tax Increase Tied to Inflation
June 18, 2014
We saw some encouraging movement from the Hill today on transportation. Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) are floating a plan to increase the gas tax twice by increments of six cents, and then index the gas tax to inflation so it’s a sustainable revenue source. Here’s a statement from ASCE President Randall......