Hearing on US Structurally Deficient Bridges

The U.S. house of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday (9/5/07) on Structurally Deficient Bridges in the United States. Witnesses scheduled to testify include the Secretary of Transportation, the Mayor of the City of Minneapolis, representatives from Minnesota DOT, and others from state departments of transportation, counties, and stakeholder groups. ASCE Board Member and Managing Partner of Hardesty & Hanover, LLP, Andrew Hermann, will be testifying for ASCE. The hearing begins at 10:00 AM ET and can be seen live via webcast on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's website at:
http://transportation.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=285

The "Summary of Subject Matter" for the hearing is available at:
http://transportation.house.gov/Media/File/Full%20Committee/20070905/SSM_FC_9-5-07.pdf

ASCE Update on I-35W Bridge Collapse

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a second update on their investigation of the I-35 W bridge collapse. A new facet of the investigation is the examination of the de-icing system that was installed on the bridge, the chemical used in this de-icing system, and the properties of this chemical (whether or not it is corrosive). This de-icing system had components installed in the concrete bridge deck. The NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker stated "The finite element model of the bridge is being revised based on the measured deck thickness from core sections and physical examination of the bridge structure. All structural elements have been incorporated in the model; however, some aspects of stiffness, weight and connections between elements are being modified to match the condition of the bridge the day of the accident." The NTSB has also interviewed 25 drivers and construction workers who were involved with the construction project on the bridge at the time of its collapse. According to the NTSB press release: " The weights of the various construction materials that were delivered to the work site between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on August 1 have been verified at about 383,000 pounds. The combined weight of the loads and construction vehicles is about 575,000 pounds." NTSB has verified the location of these vehicles and materials by means of the interviews and from "a pre-collapse photograph taken by a passenger on an airplane that was departing from Minneapolis on the afternoon of the collapse." View the NTSB press release at: http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2007/082207.htm

The anti-icing system used on the I-35 W bridge sprays an anti-icing chemical onto the concrete bridge deck when sensors and information from the Road Weather Information System tell it that hazardous conditions are imminent. The anti-icing chemical is potassium acetate. The sensors are ground and deck surface sensors that measure temperature and moisture, and sensors to measure ice formation. The Road Weather Information System are weather stations that measure air temperature and have optical precipitation sensors to detect rain, snow, and sleet. Read the report of the anti-icing system at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/maintenance/Anti-icing%20evaluation.pdf

View drawing showing the layout of the anti-icing system on the I-35 bridge at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/drawings/BR9340%20Thawspray%20System.pdf

The Minnesota State Senate Transportation Budget & Policy Division and the State House Transportation Finance Division held a joint public hearing on August 15, 2007 on the I-35 W bridge collapse. During that hearing, the members of the Divisions asked Minnesota DOT (MN-DOT) many questions that MN-DOT needed time to respond. MN-DOT has responded to those inquiries and a letter from MN-DOT summarizing the questions and providing the answers is available at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/legislative/Aug15hearing-followup-letter.pdf

MN-DOT has provided some additional information about the Municipal Consent process. This is the law in Minnesota that requires MN-DOT to obtain "municipal consent" from the municipality involved when the highway project alters access, increases or reduces traffic capacity (for example, increasing or reducing the number of traffic lanes), or requires acquisition of permanent right-of-way. View flow chart of the municipal consent process at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/legislative/Attachment-G2-Municipal-Consent-Process.pdf

View timeline of the municipal consent process at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/legislative/Attachment-G1-municipal-consent-process_w-Timeline.doc

MN-DOT has provided information related to their plans for funding the new I-35 W replacement bridge. Abby McKenzie, MN-DOT's Director of the Office of Investment Management, testified about these funding plans at the Minnesota State Senate Transportation Budget & Policy Division and State House Transportation Finance Division joint public hearing on August 15, 2007. View McKenzie's testimony at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/legislative/testimony-McKenzie.doc

MN-DOT has also provided a list of the professional and technical contracts awarded to date associated with the bridge collapse recovery efforts, bridge collapse investigation, environmental concerns, and new I-35 W bridge replacement. View the list at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/legislative/AttachmentI-CONSULTANT-CONTRACTS.xls

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a press release concerning the I-35 W bridge collapse and federal aid programs that are available. In the press release FEMA states that "Initial FEMA-administered aid is limited to $5 million." Read FEMA's press release at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=38970.

In an unrelated, but important development, MN-DOT closed a bridge today. The Highway 11 bridge over the Red River sharing the border with North Dakota was closed "after a crack was discovered in a support bracket for a girder during an inspection...". Read the press release concerning this bridge at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/newsrels/07/08/22-hwa11bridge.html.

[Summary compiled by Susan Lane, ASCE]

Engineers Sought for Expert Opinions and Advice on Public Engineering and Infrastructure

American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio is seeking qualified engineers to provide expert opinions and advice on public engineering and infrastructure. "We're still grappling with the implications of the collapse of I-35W here in the Twin Cities," says Lea Coon of Public Insight Radio at APM/MPR. "However, our on-going coverage of the collapse is looking at the state of public infrastructure nation wide. We're hoping that ASCE would be willing to help us find public sources with expertise in public engineering and infrastructure to advise our reporting of this serious issue."If you'd like to volunteer your time, experience and insights, fill in the application form and /or contact Jane Howell at jhowell@asce.org.

ASCE Update on I-35W Bridge Collapse

The City Council and the Mayor of the City of Minneapolis adopted a "Statement of Principles" about what they believe the new I-35 replacement bridge project should contain. These were adopted on Friday August 17th and are available at:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/mayor/docs/35W_state_princ.pdf

Minnesota DOT (MN-DOT) has hosted several public meetings on the new I-35W replacement bridge project and has posted handouts from these meetings. MN-DOT has also provided an update on the permits for this project. To date, permits have been received from the Minnesota Department of Natural resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Permits are pending from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The handout in the link below provides a full listing of the permits and describes that the additional lanes on the new bridge to accommodate transit may not be for light rail, but could be for a bus rapid transit lane, High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, or some other form of managed lane.
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild/pdfs/bridge-replacement-overview.pdf

The Minnesota State Legislature has scheduled a second hearing on the new I-35W bridge replacement. The Minnesota Senate Transit Subdivision and the House Transportation Policy and Transit Subcommittee will convene a joint public hearing on August 22, 2007. View the announcement at:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/news/20070820BridgePublicHearing.asp

[Summary compiled by Susan Lane, ASCE]

MN-DOT Public Open House to Discuss Design-Build Project to Replace I-35W Bridge

Minnesota DOT (MN-DOT) announced that a Public Open House will be held on Thursday August 16th to discuss the design-build project to replace the I-35 W bridge. The public can also provide comments online at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild/index.html

MN-DOT's proposed plans for the new I-35 W bridge include 10 lanes for the bridge (up from eight lanes on the previous bridge) with one lane in each direction possibly accommodating transit. Lt. Governor Carol Molnau and Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell have sent a letter to Governor Tim Pawlenty describing their assessment for the Governor of the light rail possibility. Their letter states: "At your direction, we have completed our preliminary assessment of the potential for reconstructing the I-35 bridge in a manner that could incorporate a light rail line. For the reasons that follow, we have concluded that the inherent disadvantages of including LRT do not justify the expense and delays that would result from further study." The full letter is available at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/rebuild/letters/lrt.pdf

ASCE Update on I-35W Bridge Collapse

Aug. 8, 2007--Minnesota DOT released today an edited video clip from a traffic camera that had previously not been shown to the public. The video is pointed south, away from the bridge, and then as traffic halts, it swings north to show where the bridge has just collapsed.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/video/collapse2mins.wmv

Minnesota DOT (MN-DOT) is stating that they will have a design-build contract to rebuild the I-35 W bridge in place by September 2007. The contract will contain financial incentives for finishing the project early. Additionally, MN-DOT is stating that for the new 10-lane bridge, (up from eight lanes on the previous bridge), one lane in each direction may accommodate transit. The link to this information is below, with the information scattered in the bulleted section entitled "Update Aug. 7".

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/index.html

MN-DOT has posted the I-35 W bridge's Structure Inventory Report. Among other things, this report provides the Condition Codes (ratings) for the Deck, Superstructure (truss and bearings), and the Substructure (pier, abutments, and footings/piles). Note that if any of these receive a Condition Code of 4 or less than the structure will be classified as Structurally Deficient.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/structure_inventory_report_08-02-07.pdf

MN-DOT has also posted a Technical Memorandum from their Engineering Services Division dated July 19, 2007 which provides "Guidelines for In-Depth Inspection of Fracture Critical and other Non-Redundant Bridges and for Underwater Inspections". This is relevant because the I-35 W bridge contained fracture-critical bridge members. Note that the Technical Memorandum defines fracture critical. The memo states that: "Fracture Critical members must be inspected from an arms length distance every 24 months."

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/inspection-guidelines_july-2007.pdf

In 1990, MN-DOT contracted with the University of Minnesota to evaluate the fatigue stresses within the I-35 W bridge's truss members. Field tests of the bridge were a part of their evaluations. The link to the University of Minnesota's report is provided below.

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/umn-study-fatigue-evaluation-br9340.pdf

Then in 2003, MN-DOT contracted with URS Corporation to perform a more detailed fatigue and fracture analysis of the truss bridge and its truss members. The report from that analysis (listed as a draft report) is provided in three parts and is dated July 2006, and the Executive Summary provides recommendations and is dated January 2007. The links to these are all below.

Part 1, URS report: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/fatigue-evaluation-redundancy-analysis_1of3.pdf

Part 2, URS report: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/fatigue-evaluation-redundancy-analysis_2of3.pdf

Part 3, URS report: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/fatigue-evaluation-redundancy-analysis_3of3.pdf

Exec. Summary, URS: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/fatigue-evaluation-redundancy-analysis_2007supp.pdf
[Summary compiled by Susan Lane, ASCE.]

Additional Funds for Emergency Repairs and Reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 Bridge

On August 6, 2007, President Bush signed into law H.R. 3311, which authorizes additional funds for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007, and waives the limitation on emergency relief funds for those emergency repairs and reconstruction.

Upkeep Of Security Devices A Burden

Monday, August 13, 2007--In 2003, the FBI used a $25 million grant to give bomb squads across the nation state-of-the-art computer kits, enabling them to instantly share information about suspected explosives, including weapons of mass destruction.

Four years later, half of the Washington area's squads can't communicate via the $12,000 kits, meant to be taken to the scene of potential catastrophes, because they didn't pick up the monthly wireless bills and maintenance costs initially paid by the FBI. Other squads across the country also have given up using them. See Washington Post article by Mary Beth Sheridan.

$50M Available to MN for Clean-Up and Recovery Work

The Secretary of Transportation announced today that she is making $50 million available to Minnesota "to pay for clean-up and recovery work, including clearing debris and re-routing traffic, as well as for design work on a new bridge." Also, she is making an additional $5 million available today to reimburse Minneapolis for the increased cost of transit operations during the time that the bridge has been out.

New York Company Indicted in Collapse of Big Dig

BOSTON, Aug. 8 — The supplier of the epoxy that federal officials have blamed for the collapse of a Big Dig tunnel was indicted today in the death of a motorist crushed by falling ceiling panels.

The company, Powers Fasteners Inc., was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter. It is the first criminal charge in the tunnel debacle, which killed Milena Del Valle, 38, in July 2006 as she was on her way to the airport. Her death ignited an uproar over the safety of the $15 billion Big Dig, the most expensive single public works project in American history. Story published in the NY Times on August 9, 2007 by Pam Belluck.

Potential Flaw Seen in Design of Fallen Bridge

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 8 — Investigators have found what may be a design flaw in the bridge that collapsed here a week ago, in the steel parts that connect girders, raising safety concerns for other bridges around the country, federal officials said on Wednesday. The Federal Highway Administration swiftly responded by urging all states to take extra care with how much weight they place on bridges of any design when sending construction crews to work on them. Crews were doing work on the deck of the Interstate 35W bridge here when it gave way, hurling rush-hour traffic into the Mississippi River and killing at least five people. Story by Monica Davey and Matthew Wald in the NY Times, August 9, 2007.

DOT Updates re: I-35 W Bridge Collapse

The Secretary of Transportation has requested that the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation perform a rigorous review of the National Bridge Inspection Program. http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot7507.htm

The most recent (2006) inspection report of the I-35 W bridge by Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN-DOT), containing detailed descriptions of the cracks found in certain areas of the bridge is available at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/bridge_inspection_report_06-15-06.pdf

Minnesota DOT has also provided a detailed condition report on the bridge, completed in 2006, includes pictures of the flaws, cracks, and defects in the bridge that the inspectors found. The report is available at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/i35wbridge/pdfs/06fracture-critical-bridge-inspection_june-2006.pdf

I-35W Bridge Collapse Editorials

Here's a collection of editorials by the US press. There appear to be two themes: our nation's infrastructure is decidedly crumbling and our political will to adequately fund the repair and maintenance of that infrastructure is decidedly in question.
Chiacgo Tribune
NYTimes
Pioneer Press (Twin Cities.com)
Popular Mechanics
Rochester, MN Post-Bulletin
Wall Street Journal

FHWA Definitions

As a result of the I-35W bridge collapse, there has been much discussion regarding the definitions of 'structurally deficient' and 'functionally obsolete'. The designation of a bridge as structurally deficient or fucntionally obsolete has impact on decisions for bridge maintenance, rehabilitation, or replacement. The actual criteria for this determination is set by the FHWA and is not widely understood. Most bridges are inspected every 2 years and receive ratings based on the condition of various bridge components. Two terms used to summarize bridge deficiencies are "structurally deficient" and "functionally obsolete." Structural deficiencies are characterized by deteriorated conditions of significant bridge elements and reduced load-carrying capacity. Functional obsolescence is a function of the geometrics of the bridge not meeting current design standards. Additionally, Richard Kerr of the Florida Department of Transportation has developed a presentation to provide information on the ratings:
www.dot.state.fl.us/structures/DesignConf2006/Presentations/session20/Final-20Kerr.pdf

I-35W Bridge Collapses During Afternoon Peak Hour

August 1, 2007--You can read about the I-35W bridge collapse at most of the major network websites (See links at right).

Here is an FHWA Press Release dated Aug. 2, 2007:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fsi35.htm

Here is a security camera video of the collapse:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/08/02/vosli.mn.i35w.bridge.collapse.side.view.cnn

Here are photos of the collapse:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/popup?id=3439572
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/interactives/minnbridge/index.html?hpid=artslot

Diagramming the collapse:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/popup?id=3440485

Problems with Minnesota bridge noted twice since 2001:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/02/bridge.structure/index.html#cnnSTCText

Here is the MnDOT 2001 Report:
http://www.lrrb.gen.mn.us/PDF/200110.pdf

A 2001 study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation found "several fatigue problems" in the bridge's approach spans and "poor fatigue details" on the main truss. The study suggested that the design of bridge's main truss could cause a collapse if one of two support planes were to become cracked, although it allowed that a collapse might not occur in that event. But, the study concluded, "fatigue cracking of the deck truss is not likely" and "replacement of the bridge ... may be deferred."

Two years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Bridge Inventory database said the bridge was "structurally deficient." The Minneapolis Star Tribune quoted Jeanne Aamodt, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as saying the department was aware of the 2005 assessment of the bridge. The bridge received a rating of 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. A bridge receives a rating of 4 when there is "advanced section loss, deterioration."

About 100,000 cars a day travel over the bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. See full story:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/02/bridge.collapse/index.html

National Hurricane Center-Recommended Storm Surge Safety Actions

• Minimize the distance you must travel to reach a safe location; the further you drive the higher the likelihood of encountering traffic congestion and other problems on the roadways.
• Select the nearest possible evacuation destination, preferably within your local area, and map out your route. Do not get on the road without a planned route, or a place to go.
• Choose the home of the closest friend or relative outside a designated evacuation zone and discuss your plan with them before hurricane season.
• You may also choose a hotel/motel outside of the vulnerable area.
• If neither of these options is available, consider the closest possible public shelter, preferably within your local area.
• Use the evacuation routes designated by authorities and, if possible, become familiar with your route by driving it before an evacuation order is issued.
• Contact your local emergency management office to register or get information regarding anyone in your household whom may require special assistance in order to evacuate.
• Prepare a separate pet plan, most public shelters do not accept pets.
• Prepare your home prior to leaving by boarding up doors and windows, securing or moving indoors all yard objects, and turning off all utilities.
• Before leaving, fill your car with gas and withdraw extra money from the ATM.
• Take all prescription medicines and special medical items, such as glasses and diapers.
• If your family evacuation plan includes an RV, boat or trailer, leave early. Do not wait until the evacuation order or exodus is well underway to start your trip.
• If you live in an evacuation zone and are ordered to evacuate by state or local officials, do so as quickly as possible. Do not wait or delay your departure, to do so will only increase your chances of being stuck in traffic, or even worse, not being able to get out at all.
• Expect traffic congestion and delays during evacuations. Expect and plan for significantly longer travel times than normal to reach your family's intended destination.
• Stay tuned to a local radio or television station and listen carefully for any advisories or specific instructions from local officials. Monitor your NOAA Weather Radio.
• For more tips, see: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/storm_surge.shtml
  

Storms Shift, Some Rivers Crest in Oklahoma

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: July 4, 2007

Filed at 10:08 a.m. ET

MIAMI, Okla. (AP) -- Rain had stopped falling Wednesday and some bloated rivers had crested, but many evacuees were still unable to return to flooded homes in a three-state region and expert warned conditions may yet worsen. See: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Flooding.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

With Financial Tactic, Corzine Would Keep Turnpike Public, Toll Increases and All

By KEN BELSON

Published by the New York Times, May 30, 2007

Who knew that the New Jersey Turnpike, the state’s congested artery that commuters love to hate, was so beloved?

In the months since Gov. Jon S. Corzine began exploring ways to capitalize on the state’s assets and pay off billions of dollars in debt, a coalition of legislators, environmentalists and drivers have come out against any plan that would include leasing the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway to private investors.

Long before Mr. Corzine could unveil a proposal, these opponents warned that private investors would increase tolls to unreasonable levels, let the roads fall into disrepair and stymie any efforts by the state to expand its highways.

Yet Mr. Corzine, a shrewd former investment banker, appears to have found a more palatable solution that lets the state raise billions of dollars while keeping the highways in public hands. At a news conference last week, Mr. Corzine said he and State Treasurer Bradley I. Abelow were considering “an entirely different kind of proposal” that involved creating a public benefit corporation.

One option is for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to raise tolls and divert only the increased revenue to a newly formed public corporation, which would then issue bonds backed by that money. The amount of the bonds would be based on the value of the toll increases.

See full article from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/nyregion/30pike.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

With Financial Tactic, Corzine Would Keep Turnpike Public, Toll Increases and All

By KEN BELSON

Published by the New York Times, May 30, 2007

Who knew that the New Jersey Turnpike, the state’s congested artery that commuters love to hate, was so beloved?

In the months since Gov. Jon S. Corzine began exploring ways to capitalize on the state’s assets and pay off billions of dollars in debt, a coalition of legislators, environmentalists and drivers have come out against any plan that would include leasing the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway to private investors.

Long before Mr. Corzine could unveil a proposal, these opponents warned that private investors would increase tolls to unreasonable levels, let the roads fall into disrepair and stymie any efforts by the state to expand its highways.

Yet Mr. Corzine, a shrewd former investment banker, appears to have found a more palatable solution that lets the state raise billions of dollars while keeping the highways in public hands. At a news conference last week, Mr. Corzine said he and State Treasurer Bradley I. Abelow were considering “an entirely different kind of proposal” that involved creating a public benefit corporation.

One option is for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to raise tolls and divert only the increased revenue to a newly formed public corporation, which would then issue bonds backed by that money. The amount of the bonds would be based on the value of the toll increases.

See full article from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/nyregion/30pike.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Critic Says Levee Repairs Show Signs of Flaws
New York Times, May 7, 2007, By JOHN SCHWARTZ

Some of the most celebrated levee repairs by the Army Corps of Engineers after Hurricane Katrina are already showing signs of serious flaws, a leading critic of the corps says.

The critic, Robert G. Bea, a professor of engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, said he encountered several areas of concern on a tour in March.

The most troubling, Dr. Bea said, was erosion on a levee by the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, a navigation canal that helped channel water into New Orleans during the storm.

See entire article.

9 Die as Tornado Tears Apart Kansas Town

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 4:33 p.m. ET, May 5, 2007

GREENSBURG, Kan. (AP) -- Most of this southwest Kansas town was destroyed by a tornado, part of a violent storm system blamed for at least nine deaths, officials said Saturday amid warnings of more severe weather.

It may take days for emergency crews to remove all the victims -- dead and alive -- from the rubble of homes and businesses, the city administrator said Saturday. See article here.

Dealing with Sensitive Security Information

One of the most difficult challenges to providing security for critical infrastructure is the management of information about it that could fall into the wrong hands. Since the 9/11 attacks, maps and other "Sensitive Security Information" or "SSI" documents related to dams, electric power grids, nuclear power plants, transportation networks, etc. have been removed voluntarily from publicly-available websites by public agencies other owners of infrastructure. But what about documents describing the design and operation of these critical infrastructures for use by legitimate contractors and agency staff members--who should be allowed to see them, and who shouldn't? What systems can be put in place to ensure that information flows directly between those who have the information and those who seek it for the "right" reasons--and kept from those who want it for the "wrong" reasons?

N.O. Leadership lacking, report says

N.O. leadership lacking, report says
Housing shortage also hindering recovery, it says
Times-Picayune, April 25, 2007, By Bill Barrow

BATON ROUGE -- A failure of local leadership and a lack of affordable housing are primary reasons that New Orleans trails many other Gulf Coast communities in storm and flood recovery, according to a new report.

The report, issued jointly by the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana and the Rockefeller Institute of Government, is the second in an ongoing analysis of 22 locales that were affected -- in some cases positively -- by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Overall, the report describes regionwide recovery as "uneven," with the progress of each local area dependent on how effective leaders have been in making decisions; how badly its business and economic infrastructure was damaged; and how quickly it has been able to get state and federal aid.

See entire article.

5,000 Evacuated After Chlorine Leak in Northeast China

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-04-25 16:43

Five thousand people have been evacuated after a chlorine leak in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, officials with the local government said on Wednesday.

See article here.

The future competitiveness of the infrastructure system presents an engineering leadership challenge

The USA’s infrastructure systems have deteriorated to the point where this country’s future economic competitiveness is in jeopardy and our elected officials, who are entrusted with safeguarding our nation’s future, have ignored the warnings. Our elected officials’ failure to maintain and improve upon the system inherited from the prior generation can be traced to a lack of political will, the influence of special interest groups, the absence of market-based decision making, and – most specifically and significantly – the use of earmarks, otherwise known as pork barrel politics. Reversing or even arresting the decline of infrastructure systems will require creative solutions and visionary leadership from the engineering community.

In this context, there are two readily-apparent ways for engineers to effect change. First, engineers need to position themselves better by seeking public office, which would provide them with proximity and access to the legislative process. Second, in order to help Congress to better understand technology transfers and complex scientific principles before implementing new policies, the engineering discipline should actively recruit and pitch its professionals for placement on lawmaker and committee staffs. This second tactic is likely to require a cultural shift in the engineering profession. Talented engineers will not readily pursue alternative but important career paths if they think that their work will be dismissed or devalued by the profession, including its societies and licensing boards. Likewise, lawmakers and committees are unlikely to understand the benefits of having engineers on their staffs and deferring to their judgment on important social issues without a significant public relations campaign. The stakes are high enough, however, that extreme measures are necessary.

Join the CCI Port Infrastructure Blog

The ASCE Committee on Critical Infrastructure (CCI) invites your participation in the Port Infrastructure discussions at the Critical Infrastructure Blog. Post a comment here to get started. For additional information, contact Doug Sethness at doug.sethness@ch2m.com.

New GAO Port Risk Assessment Evaluation Available

This is a site for the GAO publication number GAO-07-412 on Port Risk Assessment published March 28, 2007.

This report was prepared under the authority of the Comptroller General to examine (1) challenges port authorities have experienced as a result of recent natural disasters, (2) efforts under way to address these challenges, and (3) the manner in which port authorities plan for natural disasters. GAO reviewed documents and interviewed various port stakeholders from 17 major U.S. ports.

Is Infrastructure Sector Nomenclature Confusing?

The description of the nation's critical infrastructure on the ASCE Infrastructure Report Card is different from the designated list of critical infrastructure and key assets found in Homeland Security Presidential Directive - 7 and a multitude of DHS plans and operating directives (such as the NIPP, NRP, and NIMS). While the difference is understandable since the nomenclature evolved on two separate tracks, is the situation causing unnecessary confusion? Should there be an effort to establish a common reference the critical infrastructure and if so, what makes the most sense?

DHS Releases Comprehensive Regulations for Securing High Risk Chemical Facilities

Release Date April 2, 2007--The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today released an interim final rule that imposes for the first time comprehensive federal security regulations for high risk chemical facilities. The department sought and reviewed comments from state and local partners, Congress, private industry, and the public to develop consistent guidelines using a risk-based approach. The new rule gives the department authority to seek compliance through the imposition of civil penalties, of up to $25,000 per day, and the ability to shut non-compliant facilities down. A Press Release was also issued.

Our Aging Infrastructure: It's Not Sexy, But it IS Critical...

Bob Herbert of the New York Times writes about the consequences of neglecting our infrastructure. What will it take to fix it?

'Lautenberg Language' On Chemical Security Passes Senate

States' Right To Adopt Strong Chemical Security Laws Like NJ's Protected

On Thursday, March 29, 2007, the Senate passed the FY 2007 Supplemental Appropriations Bill with a provision authored by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) to block the Bush Administration's plan to preempt state chemical security laws.

The "Lautenberg language" overcame a vigorous campaign from chemical industry lobbyists who fought the ability of states to enact stronger laws than the federal government.

New chemical rules won't override states

AP reporter Beverley Lumpkin writes on August 1, 2007 that new federal rules giving the Bush administration authority for the first time to regulate and even shut down chemical plants will not overrule stricter state rules already in place, according to a letter sent Sunday to lawmakers by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Rules for New Jersey or any other state that are tougher than the federal ones will be "grandfathered in"—that is, will not be overridden, according to Chertoff's letter.

"If a state measure to regulate security at high-risk facilities does not conflict with, interfere with, hinder, or frustrate the purpose of DHS's regulations, it would not be pre-empted," Chertoff wrote. Lumpkin writes that Lautenberg was not mollified. "Rather than let New Jersey and other states move forward defending our communities from attacks on our chemical facilities, the Bush administration is trying to freeze us in our tracks," said Scott Mulhauser, a spokesman for Lautenberg.

Rail and Public Transportation Security Bill of 2007, HR 1401 Passes, 299 to 124

HR 1401, the Rail and Mass Transit Security Act of 2007, passed by a vote of 299 to 124. Speaker of the House statement.

6th Annual TISP Congress

The 6th Annual TISP Congress, scheduled for March 28-29, 2007 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA, is slated to be the most important Infrastructure Resilience conference in 2007. The 2-day conference, focused on “Achieving Resilience: From Readiness to Restoration,” will feature keynote presentations by experts in the private and public sectors including the highly-acclaimed Senior Executive Forum on Priority Challenges to Achieving Disaster Resilience. See more.

ASCE Infrastructure Champions

The ASCE Committee on Critical Infrastructure (CCI) has developed an Infrastructure Champions (IC) program to actively solicit the participation of ASCE members. The IC national network will provide coordination between ASCE Regions to identify local and regional issues, trends, and innovative solutions. Read more.