Where do the 2020 Presidential Candidates Stand on Infrastructure?
January 24, 2020
As we inch closer to the caucuses, Democratic candidates are running out of time to release tangible policy solutions which focus on the issues that are most critical to the majority of Americans. One of those issues, which 90 percent of Americans support, continues to be the condition of our nation’s infrastructure. So far, four......
Rebuilding stronger, Resiliently Requires ASCE Codes and Standards
January 17, 2020
In 2019, we witnessed a drastic increase in hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, and more. We must be thinking about ways to make our infrastructure last and withstand future risks. That means ensuring our infrastructure is more resilient by using new technologies, approaches, materials—but also incorporating the latest codes and standards, which will, in the end, cut......
Trump Administration Releases Overhaul of NEPA Implementing Regs
January 16, 2020
Late last week, in a historic action, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released a proposed rule to revise the enforcement of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Signed into law in 1970, the NEPA review process requires federal agencies, prior to development, to evaluate the environmental impacts of their proposed actions. The......
SMART Infrastructure Act Puts Public Safety At Risk
January 09, 2020
Bipartisan legislation is hard to come by these days in Congress, which is why the Sustainable Municipal Access to Resilient Technology in Infrastructure, or SMART Act, may look good at first glance, however; this bill could do more harm than good in terms of moving America’s infrastructure into the 21st century. Engineers design, build, and......
Why It’s Time to Reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
December 05, 2019
Across the nation, we’re seeing more power outages caused by a variety of factors: climate change, increasing storms, heat, and windstorms. That’s right – large amounts of wind can cause power outages, as seen recently in Idaho and Washington. Luckily, we have a program that was created in 2004 by Congress after a five-year effort......
Construction Innovation Highlighted on Capitol Hill
November 21, 2019
Advanced digital construction methods can save money and create many opportunities for small businesses. It’s an exciting time for engineers, architects, and project managers as they look at new ways to build bridges, buildings, and other structures. New data and using digital models have caused construction sites to become safer and more efficient. However, only......
Future World Vision Unveiled 2019 ASCE Convention With Extra Push for Infrastructure Advocacy
October 11, 2019
ASCE’s 2019 Convention looked a little different this year. Attendees are able to step inside a Floating City – the first installment in ASCE’s Future World Vision, which was officially unveiled at this year’s Convention. Outgoing ASCE President Robin A. Kemper opened the morning energizing the audience by sounding the alarm on infrastructure. In her......
ASCE Testifies on Country’s Pressing Infrastructure Needs Before House Budget Committee
September 26, 2019
On September 25, the House Committee on the Budget, whose chief responsibility is to draft an annual concurrent resolution on the budget that provides a Congressional framework for spending and revenue levels, held is first hearing focusing on the nation’s infrastructure in recent memory. ASCE Board member and Director of Houston Public Works Carol Haddock......
Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Helps Cities and States Prepare for the Future Now
September 20, 2019
We’re at peak hurricane season, with the recent Hurricane Dorian squeaking by the Carolinas, but devastating the Bahamas. At the same time in Houston, torrential rain and deadly flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Imelda is canceling flights, leaving hundreds of cars abandoned in the roads, and turning roads into rivers. Now is an......
Big Travel Weekend Coincides with New Traffic Report
August 29, 2019
This weekend marks the last (unofficial) weekend of summer, and with the long weekend just hours away, people across the country will be hitting the road. Another holiday means more holiday traffic, which shines a spotlight on the need to improve our transportation infrastructure. According to the travel industry group Airlines for America, about 17.5......