Infrastructure in the News: August 3, 2010

Newsweek reported that the number of "structurally defficient" bridges in Minnesota rose to 1,206 last year and Detroit Free Press wrote about light rail, commuter trains and high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit. More in this Infrastructure in the News.

National News

Infrastructurist: New Documentary to Explore Who/What Shapes Our Cities
Remember the ultra-charming and engaging documentary Helvetica (trailer above)? Well, the filmmaker behind that 2007 gem, Gary Hustwit, is back and this time he’s taking on urban development

State News

Guardian: Empire State Building: Can the tallest be the greenest?
$20m refit aims to cut building's energy use by 40% and save emissions equal to 20,000 cars.

Newsweek: More Bad Bridges in Minnesota
It’s been three years since a busy bridge collapsed in Minnesota, killing 13 people and sparking widespread calls to fix the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. But so far little has improved, according to congressional testimony by the Federal Highway Administration this month. In Minnesota the number of “structurally deficient” bridges—featuring, for instance, corroding steel supports—actually rose from 1,156 in 2007 to 1,206 last year. And an analysis of FHWA data shows a similar uptick in 18 other states, leaving the U.S. with about 71,000 substandard bridges—virtually the same number as in 2007.

Detroit Free Press: Light rail, commuter trains, high-speed buses envisioned for Detroit
The intent was to start small: Build a 3-mile light-rail line that would run from Hart Plaza to the New Center in Detroit. From there, stakeholders would try to build upon the system, ultimately turning it into a $10-billion system of light rail, commuter trains and high-speed buses spanning metro Detroit. That start-small idea got a big boost Monday when Detroit Mayor Dave Bing received a gleaming endorsement from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and assurances that the Obama administration is supportive of extending the light rail -- a $425-million project -- that would run from the heart of downtown Detroit to the suburbs and stimulate a transit system for the region.