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)