What civil engineers are reading this week

• Happy 250th, America: How civil engineers’ ingenuity helped make the milestone possible

  Innovative infrastructure defines the American spirit and serves as the nation’s lifeblood. Explore ASCE’s contribution to the #America250 series on American ingenuity and progress from @USAToday.

• Americans’ favorite coastal summer getaway cities are sinking – what can civil engineers do?

  Land subsidence and sea-level rise threaten the coastal communities Americans will flock to this July 4 weekend. In our Trending in the Industry series, civil engineers offer solutions.

• At 100, Benjamin Franklin Bridge gives Philadelphia another anniversary to celebrate

  Originally named the Delaware River Bridge, its 1,750-foot-long span was the world’s longest of its type when it opened. How did Pennsylvania and New Jersey collaborate to overcome the challenges?

• Is artificial intelligence conscious? If so, how could bridges be involved?

  AI’s rise has brought the philosophical debate to define the nature of consciousness to the next level. Injecting bridges into the discussion just makes sense, writes ASCE’s resident bridge expert/humorist. 

• US rail projects gain steam

  Contractors are taking advantage of multibillion-dollar train and transit contracts, even as funding challenges create hurdles for project execution.

• Research gives design-build contractors clearer road map for getting projects across finish line

  A study on progressive design-build offers construction and engineering professionals guidance on what separates projects that succeed from those that stall and why more teams are taking the approach.