american society of civil engineers

American Society of Civil EngineersStephen A. Curtis, P.E., D.PE, M.ASE

Program Director-Waterfront Services, Collins Engineers, Inc.At-Large Director, ASCE Board of Direction

Where is America’s infrastructure headed?

Why Should We Care ?

“If you do not know where you are going, every road will lead you nowhere.”

… Henry Kissinger

“You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there.”

… Yogi Berra

“He who does not look ahead, remains behind.”… Spanish Proverb

Decades Of Progress

• Interstate Highway System:– 41,000 Miles

– $114 billion construction cost

– 35 years to construct

• US Highway Network Today:– Supports 237 million registered

vehicles

– Over 4 million miles of roads

– Supports 14 million jobs

Decades Of Progress

“We do not have great highways because we are a great nation, we are a great nation because we have great highways.”

DeWitt C. Greer (1902-1986),Chair Texas Highway Commission

America’s Infrastructure

• Public health, safety and welfare.

• The Nation’s ability to sustain economic growth and global competitiveness.

• The public’s overall quality of life.

Years of deferred infrastructure investment and maintenance has a direct impact on:

2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure - ASCE

AVIATION D LEVEES D-BRIDGES C RAIL C-DAMS D ROADS D-DRINKING WATER D- SCHOOLS DENERGY D+ SOLID WASTE C+HAZARDOUS WASTE D TRANSIT DINLAND WATERWAYS D- WASTEWATER D-PUBLIC PARKS & RECREATION

C-

Bridges and Roads

• Bridges Grade: C– 26% Structurally Deficient or Functionally Obsolete– Higher percentage in urban areas– $17 billion needed annually to fix all deficiencies– Currently: $10.5 billion spent

• Roads Grade: D-– Increased congestion costs $78.2 billion to the

economy, $710 per motorist– Current spending: $70.3 billion– Needed spending: $186 billion

Inland Waterways

• Inland Waterways Grade: D-– Tow barge can carry freight

equal to 870 tractor trailers

– Average age of the nation’s locks: 60 years

ASCE’s Five Key Solutions

1. Increase federal leadership

2. Promote sustainability and resilience2. Promote sustainability and resilience

3. Develop national, regional and state infrastructure plans

2. Promote sustainability and resilience4. Address life-cycle costs

5. Increase and improve investment from all stakeholders

“America is one big pothole”Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood 03/12/2012

$1 in road maintenance = $16 in savings

What are the consequences if we fail to act?

Centuries Of Progress

18th Century: Hamilton - Navigable Rivers, Inland Waterways & Man-Made Canals

19th Century: Jefferson - First “National Road”; Lincoln - “Transcontinental Railroad”

20th Century: Eisenhower - Interstate Highway System

21st Century: Who will be the “Visionary” – What will the “Vision” be?

17th Century: Coastal Trading, Interior River Systems & Portage Connections

www.infrastructurereportcard.org - ASCE

What Can YOU Do?

Questions?

ASCE Report Card:www.infrastructurereportcard.org

Failure to Act Economic Studies:www.asce.org/failuretoact

Contact ASCE:govwash@asce.org

202-789-7850