By Ron Thaniel
March 28, 2005

Congested highways, crowded schools, transit demand exceeding resources, aging water facilities and a crumbling energy infrastructure are urgent reminders of the infrastructure crisis that is jeopardizing America's prosperity, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers- new 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure.

With new grades for the first time since 2001, the civil engineers gave the nation's overall infrastructure grade a D, down from a D- in 2001.

The report said $1.6 trillion should be spent over the next five years to alleviate our nation's infrastructure needs.

At the March 9 release of the Report Card at The National Press Club, Conference President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic said, "Infrastructure, from transit to energy, has been neglected for far too long by the federal government and it is now crumbling at an alarming rate."

"I want to repair a bridge a year too early than a day too late," Plusquellic said.

Speaking on the urgent need for transportation investment, Conference of Mayors Transportation and Communications Standing Committee Chair Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said "America's cities compete in a truly global marketplace place and need a 21st century transportation system to be competitive."

Urging Congress to reauthorize the long-delayed TEA-21, Nickels told the audience that Seattle faces critical transportation infrastructure needs, including fixing the crumbling Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Emphasizing the global economic role of cities, Nickels said the inability to move goods from a Midwest factory to Asian markets in 24 hours weakens Seattle's position.

"The infrastructure that supports our economy and quality of life is crumbling and we have failed to invest in the improvements needed to keep pace with our growing population, let alone our increasing demands," said William P. Henry, President, American Society of Civil Engineers.

To determine the grades, the American Society of Civil Engineers evaluated existing data reports of the condition, performance, capacity and funding relative to actions by policy makers for each category. The American Society of Civil Engineers was established in 1852 and is the nation's oldest national engineering society.