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Last week, while addressing the U.S. Conference of Mayors,  http://www.usmayors.org presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, called for improvements for the nation’s infrastructure to foster a healthier economy and improve Americans’ quality of life. Speaking at the group’s annual meeting in Miami, Sen. Obama cited ASCE’s Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, http://www.asce.org/reportcard  “You see the traffic along I-95 in Miami. You see the crumbling roads and bridges, the aging water and sewer pipes, the faltering electrical grids that cost us billions in blackouts, repairs, and travel delays. It’s gotten so bad that the American Society of Civil Engineers gave our national infrastructure a “D.” And it’s no wonder – because we’re spending less on our infrastructure than at any time in the modern era.”

Acknowledging that as leaders in urban areas, Mayors deal with a disproportionate number of infrastructure issues, as our nation’s cities age and begin to decay. Promising relief, Sen. Obama stated, “when it comes to rebuilding America’s essential but crumbling infrastructure, we need to do more, not less… Maintaining our levees and dams isn’t pork barrel spending, it’s an urgent priority… I’ll also launch a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years, and create nearly two million new jobs.” Sen. Obama’s complete remarks are available on the U.S Conference of Mayors’ website. http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/Remarksbyobama.pdf

Also speaking to the convention of nearly 1,500 participants, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), welcomed the group to his home state and echoed Sen. Obama’s calls for increased infrastructure. Sen. Nelson, an ASCE Honorary Fellow, also called for greater federal funding for engineering research. Throughout his career, Sen. Nelson has sponsored and championed the ASCE- supported Wind Hazards Reduction Program.

Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain was also invited to speak at the gathering, but did not attend.

ASCE is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Business Council and has worked with the organization for many years on issues of similar interest. The Mayors have identified Infrastructure Renewal as one of their key policy priorities.  http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/documents/10-PointPlan_1107.pdf ASCE Staff attended the annual meeting and talked with mayors from across the country at our Report Card for America’s Infrastructure display booth.

To read more about the Mayors’ Annual Meeting, visit ASCE GR’s blog Our Failing Infrastructure. http://www.asce.org/govrel/blog