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Engineers seek stimulus add-on for crumbling infrastructure
By Alan Levin, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The USA's infrastructure is crumbling and threatens the nation's economic well-being, according to a new report by a top engineering group.
A lack of investment in roads, bridges, mass transit and aviation means the cost of repair over the next five years has skyrocketed to $2.2 trillion, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In its last estimate four years ago, the cost was $1.6 trillion.
The ASCE, which has 146,000 members worldwide, is the country's oldest national engineering society.
Overall, the 15 categories graded by the ASCE received an average grade of "D" or poor, the group said in a press release. Aviation, roads and transit were downgraded from the group's last report.
The group rushed release of its report so it can be considered during debate Wednesday on the $825 billion economic stimulus package President Obama is pushing before Congress. The legislation includes $63 billion in infrastructure spending on transportation and environmental projects. ASCE members would oversee some of that work.
"A failing infrastructure cannot support a healthy economy," said Wayne Klotz, president of ASCE and the head of a civil engineering firm in Houston. "Crumbling infrastructure has a direct impact on our personal and economic health, and the nation's infrastructure crisis is endangering our future prosperity."
Not all infrastructure experts agree with ASCE's approach.
University of California-Berkeley economist David Dowall, who teaches city and regional planning, acknowledges that spending on infrastructure has fallen dramatically since the 1950s and '60s.
But he disagrees that simply rebuilding or expanding existing roads or other infrastructure is the best way to improve the economy. Getting people to drive fewer miles or to become more energy-efficient makes more sense than massive construction projects, Dowall said.
Klotz spent Tuesday briefing lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill in advance of today's expected vote on the stimulus bill. The group is non-partisan, and has argued for years that the country has neglected its transportation network, sewer systems, public buildings and other infrastructure.
The group estimated that people spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic, costing the economy $78.2 billion. Flight delays have surged because of an outdated air-traffic system, it reported.
USAToday
By Alan Levin, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The USA's infrastructure is crumbling and threatens the nation's economic well-being, according to a new report by a top engineering group.
A lack of investment in roads, bridges, mass transit and aviation means the cost of repair over the next five years has skyrocketed to $2.2 trillion, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In its last estimate four years ago, the cost was $1.6 trillion.
The ASCE, which has 146,000 members worldwide, is the country's oldest national engineering society.
Overall, the 15 categories graded by the ASCE received an average grade of "D" or poor, the group said in a press release. Aviation, roads and transit were downgraded from the group's last report.
The group rushed release of its report so it can be considered during debate Wednesday on the $825 billion economic stimulus package President Obama is pushing before Congress. The legislation includes $63 billion in infrastructure spending on transportation and environmental projects. ASCE members would oversee some of that work.
"A failing infrastructure cannot support a healthy economy," said Wayne Klotz, president of ASCE and the head of a civil engineering firm in Houston. "Crumbling infrastructure has a direct impact on our personal and economic health, and the nation's infrastructure crisis is endangering our future prosperity."
Not all infrastructure experts agree with ASCE's approach.
University of California-Berkeley economist David Dowall, who teaches city and regional planning, acknowledges that spending on infrastructure has fallen dramatically since the 1950s and '60s.
But he disagrees that simply rebuilding or expanding existing roads or other infrastructure is the best way to improve the economy. Getting people to drive fewer miles or to become more energy-efficient makes more sense than massive construction projects, Dowall said.
Klotz spent Tuesday briefing lawmakers and their staff on Capitol Hill in advance of today's expected vote on the stimulus bill. The group is non-partisan, and has argued for years that the country has neglected its transportation network, sewer systems, public buildings and other infrastructure.
The group estimated that people spend 4.2 billion hours a year stuck in traffic, costing the economy $78.2 billion. Flight delays have surged because of an outdated air-traffic system, it reported.
USAToday
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