Infrastructure in the News: October 28, 2011
BAF IN THE NEWS
Fit News: On Infrastructure
http://www.fitsnews.com/2011/10/27/on-infrastructure/
But what should our approach toward infrastructure be? And in lieu of putting the private sector completely in charge of its development and maintenance – which we believe is the ideal scenario – what’s the best way to nurture responsible public-private partnerships that reduce the burden on taxpayers? Earlier this week, FITS interviewed Mesa, Arizona Mayor Scott Smith – one of the leaders of a pro-infrastructure group called Building America’s Future (BAF) – regarding these very questions.
Market Watch: National League of Cities Announces National Speakers at Upcoming Conference
The National League of Cities is proud to announce that a number of well-known city experts will be keynote speakers at the 2011 Congress of Cities and Exposition, November 9-12 in Phoenix. Speakers include former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, co-chair of Building America's Future; Majora Carter, eco-entrepreneur and founder of Sustainable South Bronx; Edward Glaesar, author, economist and Harvard University professor; and Hill Harper, author, actor and current star of the CBS drama CSI: New York.
NATIONAL NEWS
Marine Line: Congressional Panel Hears Infrastructure Concerns Of Ports
http://www.marinelink.com/news/infrastructure-concerns341095.aspx
At a hearing today of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, AAPA Chairman of the Board Jerry Bridges, who also serves as executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, testified on the economic importance of seaports. Subtitled “Is the United States Prepared for 21st Century Trade Realities?”, the hearing focused exclusively on the economic contributions of U.S. seaports and the need for adequate federal investments in both land and waterside infrastructure in and around those facilities.
Infrastructurist: Prisoners of Transit: Why Public Transportation Deserves More Attention
With unemployment stuck at 9% and the housing market depressed, finding jobs closer to home or affording the costs of moving are out of the question for many people. Inadequate transportation prevents economic growth, limits educational opportunities, creates a public health issue, and hurts worker productivity. Better transportation options need to be a top priority for federal spending. Yet it isn’t.
Streetsblog Network: The Power of Blogs and Social Media in Transportation Policy
http://streetsblog.net/2011/10/27/the-power-of-blogs-and-social-media-in-transportation-policy/
Bike bloggers got a nice win when GM pulled an ad mocking cyclists a few weeks ago. Bike Portland was the first to call out GM. The League of American Bicyclists followed suit. Tweets started pouring in from all over the country. The next day — boom — GM promised to pull the ad and issued an apology. In the scheme of things, it was a small victory. But hardly the only one.
STATE NEWS
Maryland Community News Online: Proposal could lead to Maryland infrastructure bank
One of the more novel recommendations from the Maryland Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding calls for the possible creation of a state infrastructure bank. The panel had received a briefing on infrastructure banks in June. “Other states are doing it, and we don’t want to be left behind,” said Gus Bauman, chairman of the commission that released its recommendations this week.
Detroit News: Crumbling infrastructure gets attention at last
Gov. Rick Snyder is smart to be taking a comprehensive approach toward fixing the roads, bridges sewers and water lines that are crumbling beneath our feet and wheels. We may take issue with some of the details, but the state's aging infrastructure presents a challenge that calls for bold action from policymakers.
Twin Cities Daily Planet: Building bridges to safety and prosperity
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2011/10/27/building-bridges-safety-and-prosperity
More ubiquitous than McDonald's, structurally deficient bridges are found across Minnesota and the rest of the United States. While not every one is in imminent danger of falling down, new research has found that Americans take more than 210 million trips over these suspect spans every weekday. That's more than three times McDonald's worldwide daily customer count of 64 million. It's no mystery why. The nearly 70,000 failing arches across the country outnumber the Golden Arches five to one.
Times Leader: Study: Pa. leads in deficient bridges
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Study__Pa__leads_in_deficient_bridges_10-28-2011.html
A new national transportation report rates Pennsylvania first among states in terms of percentage of structurally deficient bridges. And while a quarter of all bridges statewide are aging and in need of repairs, the rate is even higher in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Secretary Ray LaHood, Department of Transportation Get The Facts
“It's been proven time after time: investments in our national infrastructure create jobs and opportunities. Americans can and must build great things – not just in spite of enormous economic challenges but also as the means of overcoming them.”
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Maine
John Baldacci
Former Governor
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