Sunday, 5 August 2007
Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis
« Revisiting Our Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure | Main | Levee Lessons Carry from Coast to Coast »On behalf of our 140,000 members, ASCE extends its deepest condolences to the victims, the injured, their families and all others affected by the catastrophic bridge collapse in Minneapolis on Aug 1. The I-35W bridge's main 458-foot span collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour, sending dozens of vehicles and tons of concrete and twisted metal into the waters of the Mississippi River 64 feet below.
Across our country, the sustainability of our infrastructure continues to come into question. Only a week and a half ago the civil engineering community was faced with a steam pipe burst in New York City. Now the Midwest is suffering from a catastrophic event that further illustrates that action must be taken by both lawmakers and civil engineers in the community to call attention to this important issue.
ASCE periodically assesses the state of our nation's infrastructure, most recently through the 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. Our Infrastructure Action Plan spells out short term steps the U.S. Congress should take to improve our infrastructure. Together, we need to advocate for public policy action to make our country's infrastructure safer and sustainable for future generations. ASCE estimates that $1.6 trillion is needed over a five-year period to bring the nation's infrastructure to a good condition. Funds must be invested and significant steps must be made on the national level, as well as in state legislatures and local communities, to improve our nation's failing infrastructure.
What have you done, in your role as a civil engineer, to take action and influence how the government views the state of our infrastructure?