ASCE’s Infra Report Card 2001

1. ASCE’s Infra Report Card 2001 System GradeComments Roads D+ 27% of freeways congested Bridges C 29% structurally deficient/obsolete Transit C- Ridership up, Spending not Wastewater D $12 billion annual shortfall Solid Waste C+ Amounts of SW on the decline Hazardous Waste D+ Backlog of SF sites on the rise Drinking Water D $11 billion annual shortfall Dams D Over 2,100 unsafe dams in US Aviation D Air traffic up 37%, Capacity up 1% Energy D+ Capacity lags behind demand Schools D- 75% of school buildings inadequate OVERALL D+ TOTAL 5 YEAR INVESTMENT NEED: $1.3 TRILLION

2. Is There An Infrastructure Crisis? • Evidence For • The ASCE’s report outlines 1) a significant percentage of bridges, roads, wastewater systems, etc. that are in poor shape or 2) system elements (airports, roads, etc.) that were overloaded. • Rising number of travelers/trips on transportation systems • Greater demand for clean water and generation of wastewater • More complex wastes that require handling (HazMat) • Number of landfills decreasing, existing ones nearing capacity • Problems with energy infrastructure (rolling blackouts) • Evidence Against • The myth of declining spending • The myth that infrastructure is a Federal case • The crumbling infrastructure myth (inexpensive repairs) • The limited resources myth • Sanders argues that the amount of infrastructure spending is not the problem, it is the choices the public sector has made that is.

3. Institutional “Misfits” Historical Rhythm Political Convenience High Costs of Rehabilitation Technological Lag Potential Causes of the Crisis Gakenheimer tested the hypotheses shown below. What was each hypothesis? What did he conclude? The Infrastructure Crisis

4. Causes of the Infra Problem • Some systems are wearing out all at once • Investments in new infrastructure rather than maintaining existing infrastructure • Reduction in availability of federal dollars for infrastructure • Competition from other needs (social programs, education, housing, etc.) has further reduced available funding • During the 1970s and 1980s, inflation, declining revenues, and limitations on raising taxes combined to limit local dollars • Poor information on infrastructure systems has led to wasteful investments in existing systems • Poor spending choices by some states and localities

5. Ways of Addressing the Crisis • Protect infrastructure budgets from invasion by other investment objectives • Deal with institutional misfits in the infrastructure system; • 1) Direct charges to pay for systems (user fees, hookup fees) • 2) Invest in adequate staffing and expertise • 3) Identify proper public vs private responsibilities • Target beneficiaries and users of infrastructure to pay for these systems (more user fees) • Decentralize finance of infrastructure to the state and local levels • Spend money on “less glamorous” infrastructure needs • Politics, Politics, Politics!!! Spend money on infrastructure maintenance, not new infrastructure • Are there other ways planners might help to address the way infrastructure is financed and built in the United States?

6. The Role of Planners and Planning • Advocate for O&M funds (operations and maintenance funds), as well as for funding for new infrastructure elements • Push for financing mechanisms that link the costs of infrastructure provision and use to those that benefit from the infrastructure systems (impact fees, user fees, development exactions, FIA) • Support the development and maintenance of sufficient information systems (GIS-based preferably) to track the condition of infrastructure system elements. • Advocate for adequate maintenance standards (schedules for maintaining system elements that make sense) • Work to educate the public, public officials, and your co-workers as to the importance of maintenance in the long-term structural and fiscal health of your locality • Help to educate the public about the costs and benefits associated with bond referenda to finance infrastructure improvements