RESTON, Va. -- The following is a
statement attributable to David G. Mongan, P.E., F.ASCE, president of
the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE):
"For the nation's
surface transportation systems to be able to support our economy and
quality of life in the 21st century, a number of fundamental changes
must be made in the way our roads, bridges, public transportation and
rail infrastructure systems are conceived, organized and funded. As
such, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports many of
the reform and financing recommendations made in the report released
today by National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission.
"ASCE
strongly encourages our national leaders to seriously embrace this new
report as a roadmap for planning, developing and financing the kind of
transportation system that will be able to meet our needs in the 21st
century. As our population continues to grow and the infrastructure we
rely on continues to age and deteriorate, any successful solution to
our transportation issues must include a significant increase in
financial investment.
"ASCE was pleased to see that the
Commission's report realistically addresses the issue of financing,
including recommendations for encouraging public-private partnerships
and for an increase in the gas tax -- which will produce high-level
results and minimal long-term impact on the taxpayers themselves. We
commend the Commission members for their work and dedication to
protecting our nation's surface transportation systems. However, the
Society remains disappointed by the administration's continued
shortsighted refusal to acknowledge that a gas tax increase must be
part of the answer."
For more information on ASCE's Report Card
for America's Infrastructure and Action Plan for the 110th Congress,
please visit: www.asce.org/reportcard.
Founded in 1852, the
American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 140,000 civil
engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering
society. For more information, visit www.asce.org.
Source :
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
