Press Room

Fostering Diversity in the Civil Engineering Workforce

As U.S. engineering firms face increasing global competition, civil engineers need to be conscious not only of reflecting the diverse perspectives of their international colleagues, but also the perspectives in their increasingly diverse communities and local workforce. According to a new guide published by the Society, Diversity by Design: Guide to Fostering Diversity in the Civil Engineering Workforce, written by Sybil E. Hatch, P.E. and sponsored by ASCE's Committee on Diversity and Women in Civil Engineering, "the myriad challenges of managing a diverse engineering workforce can be encompassed by a two-pronged approach: be aware of the issues...and make addressing those issues a priority."

» Read the full story.

ENGINEERING: The Workforce of the Future

If the United States is to successfully address the challenges it faces both today, and in the future-including an aging infrastructure, shrinking energy and water resources, and globalization-action must be taken now to attract, educate and train talented young civil engineers to compete in a rapidly changing and technology-driven world. This topic and more will be discussed at the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) 138th Annual Civil Engineering Conference in Pittsburgh, November 6-8, 2008.

» Read the full story.

Civil Engineering Salaries Inch Higher in 2008

According to a new survey that outlines compensation ranges and trends in the engineering industry, the median income for civil engineers is $78,000 a year, which represents an increase from $77,000 in 2007. The median income for all fields of engineering combined is $85,000, a 7.6 percent increase from 2007. The survey, which was held from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008, yielded nearly 15,000 responses from engineers across the country in a variety of fields and at all levels of practice.

» Read the full story.

University of Nevada, Reno Secures Inaugural Concrete Canoe Victory

With equal parts technical skill, creativity and determination, the University of Nevada, Reno has captured their first ever national Concrete Canoe title at the American Society of Civil Engineers' 21st Annual National Concrete Canoe Competition in Montréal. Their 19.5-foot-long, 160-pound, white canoe with blue and silver stain defeated entries from top engineering schools from across the country, and the win marks the end of three days of fierce competition and more than a year's worth of blood, sweat and tears for the team, in their bid to capture the 'America's Cup of Civil Engineering'. The team's closest competitors were the University of California, Berkeley and host school, École de technologie supérieure.

» Read the full story.

Newest ASCE Institute Serves Engineering Mechanics Community

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) established the Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) on October 1, 2007 to serve the needs of the world-wide engineering mechanics community by promoting research and application of scientific and mathematical principles to address a broad spectrum of existing and emerging engineering and societal problems. It replaced ASCE's former Engineering Mechanics Division, and is the Society's eighth technical institute. EMI held its inaugural international conference in May 2008 in Minneapolis.

» Read the full story.
» Click here for more information on EMI.

New Wilson Bridge Named Top 2008 OCEA Project
As Society Celebrates Its Best at OPAL Awards Gala

In a tough field that included impressive engineering projects in India, California and Washington state, an all-new Woodrow Wilson Bridge serving the Washington, D.C., area has been selected ASCE's winner of the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement for 2008. Using a variety of innovative techniques, the joint project of the states of Virginia and Maryland and the District of Columbia replaces an inadequate, aging 47-year-old span, helping to relieve a major bottleneck for commuters on the busy Capital Beltway, Interstate 495. The OCEA winner was announced at the Society's premiere black-tie event, the OPAL Awards Gala, held Wednesday evening in Arlington, Va., where the 2008 Outstanding Projects and Leaders honorees and other major award-winners were saluted.

» Read the full story

External Review of IPET New Orleans Analysis
Notes Progress, Yet Risks Remain

While many positive changes have occurred and good work has been done, New Orleans still faces a higher level of risk from flooding than would be accepted for many other engineered life-protection systems, according to ASCE's External Review Panel (ERP). After a thorough review of the Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force's (IPET) risk and reliability analysis, the ERP expressed overall satisfaction with the technical competency of the report, but strongly encouraged IPET to take steps to make the report more understandable and useful for the general public. They also strongly urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take a proactive leadership role, especially clear and blunt communication to the public about the level of risk that remains and better emergency response and evacuation planning.

» Read the ERP's recommendations here.

Raising America's Infrastructure Grade

With each passing day, aging and overburdened infrastructure threatens America's economy and our quality of life. In its 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, ASCE assigned our nation's infrastructure an overall grade of D and estimated that $1.6 trillion is needed over a five-year period to bring the nation's infrastructure up to a good condition. Establishing a long-term development and maintenance plan must become a national priority. But in the short term, small steps can be taken by the 110th Congress to begin improving our infrastructure.

» Click here to view ASCE's Report Card for America's Infrastructure and the Action Plan for the 110th Congress.

Features

Civil Engineers Push for Historic Education and Licensure Changes

Next fall's class of civil engineering freshmen will witness historic changes in education and licensure during their careers. Guided by the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge for the 21st Century, changes already underway in accreditation, curricula and licensure will better prepare them to be leaders and innovators. ASCE has released the second edition of the Body of Knowledge. In this new report, many of the original concepts and ideas have been clarified and sharpened, and their implementation will lead to the revision of current undergraduate and post-undergraduate education.

» Learn more about the Body of Knowledge.
» Read the full story

Back to the top

2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure

2005 Report Card Grades

2005 Report Card Release

Advisory Council

Infrastructure by State

Important!
Civil engineers from your area are available to discuss local infrastructure issues. Contact Joan Buhrman at 703-295-6406 or jbuhrman@asce.org

More News

Honors and Awards

Report Card for Infrastructure

Public Policy

Testimony

History of Civil Engineering

150th Anniversary

All news releases

ASCE Excellence in Journalism Award

The Excellence in Journalism Award honors journalists for outstanding stories that enhance public understanding of the role and impact of civil engineers and civil engineering.

Award Criteria

Download an Entry Form