John Hennessy III,
P.E.
THINKPROGRESS
By Alan Pyke
After hovering around $300 billion per year from the middle of President George W. Bush’s tenure through 2010, government spending on building things not related to defense fell by about $60 billion in just a few years. The drop is a result of Republicans blocking President Obama’s efforts to invest in infrastructure that the country needs.
“We really need to revamp our funding allocation process and develop outreach plans to engage more people. We must take advantage of the new technological tools to engage the younger generation, start talking about infrastructure at a younger age, in primary school, so people understand that infrastructure has a lifespan like any other organism. It has to live, it has to deteriorate, and if you don’t maintain it it’s going to die.”
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VERMONT OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Vermont faces significant challenges in improving our state’s aging infrastructure. About one-quarter of Vermont’s state highway bridges are over 70 years old, and the state spent $463 million on infrastructure in FY11, including roadways (32%), Interstate and State bridges (21%). Tropical Storm Irene devastated infrastructure in many parts of the state, damaging over 500 miles of roads and destroying dozens of bridges. With the help of our federal partners, almost all of that damage has been repaired and strengthened to withstand future weather challenges.
By Patrick D. Jones, Executive Director & CEO, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA)
With state governments and regional agencies leading the way, America might just be entering a renaissance in highway construction, reconstruction, and financing. Over the last year, more than 35 state legislatures have taken up bills to address the transportation funding gap. The trend extends to every part of the country, crossing the line between red and blue states. In the absence of federal policy action, as Kevin Robillard of Politico wrote earlier this year, states are coming up with their own prescriptions to deal with our national transportation woes.
KACHAN & CO
The global economy is undergoing a fundamental change. Companies are under increasing pressure to produce and consume more efficiently. This pressure is creating innovation and, above all, opportunity in cleantech.
“It’s fundamental: having people come together and raise their voice and speak up is the only way to get something done in Washington. I would urge any advocates of infrastructure to speak up and to send letters to their congressmen, and to join coalitions and never underestimate the impact you can have to get something done.”
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STRONG TOWNS
A BETTER BRAINERD
This report outlines how this community can make small, incremental investments in just one part of one neighborhood. By watching how our neighbors use the city, by asking them where their daily struggles are, by getting out on the street and opening our hearts and minds to what is actually going on, we can discern what the pressing needs are. These are our high return investments.
Transportation Issues Daily
The Senate passed its version of a maritime transportation bill (WRDA) last May. The House begins debating its bill (WRRDA) today, so we don’t yet know what the final language will be…But based on the version coming to the House floor for debate, here are five key differences between the two proposals which have financial implications. The first four come courtesy of the Congressional Budget Office, in its Cost Estimate report. The CBO is nonpartisan and produces “independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the Congressional budget process.” The fifth difference is one we’ve written about before, and follow the CBO section.
POST CARBON INSTITUTE
This study explored how some municipalities that are already leading the way on sustainability are now understanding and applying the concept of resilience. Senior staff at fourteen selected municipalities of various regions and sizes were surveyed on their communities’ perceived risks and vulnerabilities, and how these were being addressed.
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