Infrastructure in the News: April 30, 2010

DC Streetsblog reported that Senators from both parties are seeking more long-term rail vision from Obama aides and according to Investment U the water industry infrastructure has hidden risks. Read more in this Infrastructure in the News.

National News

DC Streetsblog: Dem and GOP Senators Seek More Long-Term Rail Vision From Obama Aides
The senior Democratic and Republican senators in charge of setting annual transportation spending levels today urged the leader of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to develop a more comprehensive plan for using the White House's high-speed rail program to spur the development of viable U.S. train networks.

Investment U: Water Industry Infrastructure: A Ticking Time Bomb Across the United States
By the time you’ve finished reading this article, another three water pipes will have burst somewhere in the United States. Breaking at a rate of just over one per minute, it equates to about 540,000 bursts per year across America’s 1.8 million miles of water distribution lines. You’ve probably seen some of the more spectacular water main breaks on the news. All told, U.S. water leaks total about six billion gallons per day, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) – enough to fill 200,000 backyard swimming pools. It’s a situation that illustrates the massive problems for America’s water industry. And those problems are getting worse, due to one major reason: the country’s archaic infrastructure…

State News

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: I-80 toll plan may be revived
A major backer of the Mon-Fayette Expressway wants Pennsylvania to see if the fourth time is the charm for charging tolls on Interstate 80. Joseph Kirk, executive director of the Mon Valley Progress Council, said the state should revise and resubmit its application to charge tolls on I-80, even though Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood rejected the plan for a third time this month.

Detroit Free Press: MDOT stays on track to scale down roadwork
The Michigan Department of Transportation moved the state closer to a major drop in roadwork today, saying it’s going ahead with plans for the next five years of construction on the assumption a gaping hole in the budget won’t be filled.