John Hennessy III,
P.E.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
The average age of the 84,000 dams in the country is 52 years old. The nation’s dams are aging and the number of high-hazard dams is on the rise. Many of these dams were built as low-hazard dams protecting undeveloped agricultural land. However, with an increasing population and greater development below dams, the overall number of high-hazard dams continues to increase, to nearly 14,000 in 2012.
COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL
Port and inland distribution markets that invest CapEx in their transportation infrastructure will capture the economic opportunities from changing global trade patterns and evolving e-commerce. Those that don’t invest the needed CapEx risk capsizing their economies. America needs $3.6 trillion in funding for infrastructure by 2020 to remain competitive (ASCE 2013 Infrastructure Report Card).
Innovation NewsBriefs
Vol. 24, No. 6
As we have argued in recent columns, no one disputes President Obama’s and the infrastructure advocates’ claim that some of America’s transportation facilities, are reaching the limit of their useful life and need reconstruction. Nor does any one disagree about the need to expand infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
Despite the effects of the recent recession, commercial enplanements were about 33 million higher in number in 2011 than in 2000, stretching the system’s ability to meet the needs of the nation’s economy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that the national cost of airport congestion and delays was almost $22 billion in 2012.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
At the dawn of the 21st century, much of our drinking water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life. There are an estimated 240,000 water main breaks per year in the United States. Assuming every pipe would need to be replaced, the cost over the coming decades could reach more than $1 trillion, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
Innovation NewsBriefs
Vol. 24, No. 5
During his March 29 visit to the privately built and financed PortMiami tunnel project, President Obama unveiled a new infrastructure plan. His latest proposal—costing $21 billion— includes a renewed call for a National Infrastructure Bank capitalized at $10 billion, a $7 billion “America Fast Forward Bonds” program modeled after the former Build America Bonds; and a sum of $4 billion in direct loans and loan guarantees. The White House announcement did not make it clear whether this latest infrastructure initiative…
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
Railroads are experiencing a competitive resurgence as both an energy-efficient freight transportation option and a viable city-to-city passenger service. In 2012, Amtrak recorded its highest year of ridership with 31.2 million passengers, almost doubling ridership since 2000, with growth anticipated to continue.
Innovation NewsBriefs
Vol. 24, No. 4
It seems like not a week goes by without fresh warnings about the nation’s “crumbling infrastructure” and renewed appeals to rebuild our aging highways and bridges. President Obama reinvigorated the campaign with his State-of-the-Union proposal for a $50 billion program of infrastructure investments, $40 billion of which would be devoted to a “fix-it-first” program targeted at urgent improvements such as “structurally deficient” bridges.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS
Once every four years, America’s civil engineers provide a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s major infrastructure categories in ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure (Report Card). Using a simple A to F school report card format, the Report Card provides a comprehensive assessment of current infrastructure conditions and needs, both assigning grades and making recommendations for how to raise the grades. An Advisory Council of ASCE members assigns the grades according to the following eight criteria: capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. Since 1998, the grades have been near failing, averaging only Ds, due to delayed maintenance and underinvestment across most categories.
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