In a statement released on November 7 ASCE extended its congratulations to President Obama for winning reelection and urged him to make rebuilding America's infrastructure a second-term priority. "With the economy slowly recovering, infrastructure investment will help spark growth and continue our path towards prosperity," said ASCE’s president, Gregory E. DiLoreto, P.E., P.L.S., D.WRE, F.ASCE. "We look forward to working with the president and the new Congress to continue to grow our nation and build the foundation for a 21st-century economy."
With the economy slowly recovering, infrastructure investment will help spark growth and continue our path towards prosperity. In 2009, ASCE gave America’s infrastructure a grade of D and called for $2.2 trillion in investment over the coming five years. Obviously, this investment has not been made, and consequently, we have jeopardized our economy, our quality of life, and our very safety. We are pleased, however, that Congress this year passed and the president signed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) legislation that reauthorized the nation’s surface transportation funding.
At the dawn of the 20th century, the investments to come in infrastructure were not conceivable. Yet we built a national highway system connecting families and businesses alike; we brought clean drinking water to homes and increased life expectancy nearly overnight; and, we created a national electric grid capable of withstanding the rigors of the digital age. We encourage the president to learn from our history and lead the charge in making the necessary investment to build an even stronger America. To read the full statement,
click here.