Infrastructure in the News: Transit issues escalate, water needs rise
March 25, 2016
The past two weeks have been packed with infrastructure crises and attention—as our nation’s water and transit have received both media attention and public scrutiny. Last week, the nation’s second busiest subway system, the D.C. Metro, shut down for one full day in order to undergo thorough inspection due to electrical malfunctions. CBS reported that......
Infrastructure in the News:DC Bridge Latest Victim of Underinvestment
March 04, 2016
This week marks the 80th birthday of the Hoover Dam, which is a prominent example of an invaluable infrastructure landmark that has stood the test of time. The Hoover Dam reminds us of the benefits of investing in quality infrastructure. Unfortunately, another iconic piece of infrastructure was also in the news this week because it......
New Poll Finds Americans Want Modernized Water Infrastructure
February 25, 2016
On Wednesday, the Value of Water released the results of a new poll that finds 95% of Americans believe it is important to improve and modernize our water systems. At a time when a water main breaks every two minutes in the U.S., 60% of respondents said they are willing to pay more for secure......
Report Offers Ways to Make Federal Transportation Investment More Productive
February 24, 2016
Now that the FAST Act has provided five years of certain funding for surface transportation programs, it’s time for Congress to once again turn to the important work of finding a long-term, sustainable funding solution for the Highway Trust Fund. A guaranteed funding source is key to allowing states to effectively plan and execute transportation......
Infrastructure in the News: Bridges, Potholes and Tire Damage, Oh My!
February 19, 2016
This week has been one of reflection on our nation’s bridges, potholes and transportation needs and planning needed to best address these needs at the state level. An article in USA Today featured the progress being made, thanks to the attention towards our nation’s bridges. ARTBA reported that nearly 10 percent of the country’s bridges......
Senate Takes Turn Preparing for New Water Resources Bill
February 11, 2016
Just a week after the House held a discussion on what a new Water Resources Develop Act (WRDA) should look like, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing Wednesday to kick off that chambers work on the legislation. Opting for a more formal setting than the House roundtable approach, the Senate......
Department of Transportation Celebrates 50 Years of Safety Innovation
February 08, 2016
Established by President Lyndon Johnson, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is now celebrating 50 years of making transportation safer for the traveling public. This month marked the 50th anniversary, where USDOT Secretary Anthony Foxx and six former USDOT Secretaries gathered together in D.C. to share the changes they’ve seen in transportation since the department......
Infrastructure in the News: Big Week for Aviation and Water
February 05, 2016
This week improving our nation’s aviation and water infrastructure were the focus of conversation on Capitol Hill. With a new aviation reform bill, the Aviation Innovation, Reform and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act, proposed to Congress, the nation’s aviation needs are receiving some attention that’s long overdue. According to the bill’s author, Rep. Bill Shuster, two-thirds of......
House Committee Convenes Roundtable Discussion on Next Federal Water Resources Bill
February 04, 2016
The House Subcommittee on Water Resources held a round table this week as Congress gears up to pass a new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in 2016. Back in November the committee held a similar discussion in New Orleans. During each roundtable – a less formal setting than a traditional hearing – committee members heard......
D.C. Infrastructure Report Card Gives C- Overall, Lowest Grade to Levees
January 14, 2016
The 2016 Report Card for D.C.’s Infrastructure is an independent review of the current state of infrastructure needs, capability and funding in D.C. by the National Capital Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Report Card was written over the past year by ASCE members from the D.C. region who assigned the grades......