ASCE STUDY AGREES: WATERWAY INVESTMENT IS CRUCIAL

Sep 20, 2012  |  Today's News

“Inadequate and unbalanced investments in essential commercial transportation infrastructure have become an enormous drag on the productivity and competitiveness of the U.S. economy.”

A recent study by the American Society of Civil Engineers titled “Failure to Act,” outlines all the repercussions of the American lack of investment in infrastructure and the drain on American families that will result in a way that reads almost like a horror novel.

“More than 70 million metric tons of grain, soybeans, and food are transported within the U.S. each year by way of the inland transportation system.”

 

“A total of 90 percent of locks and dams on the U.S. inland waterway system experienced some type of unscheduled delay in 2009.”

 

“Total public investment  needs are expected to exceed $30 billion by 2020.”

 

“The U.S. will be left with a funding gap of nearly $46 billion if current investment trends continue.”

And from the graphic, personal incomes will decrease by $872 billion dollars from 2012-2020 factoring in cumulative effects of these inefficiencies.

The U.S. government must find a way to invest in locks and dams.  Effects of not investing are wide-spread and extremely damaging to our competitive edge.  I know I don’t need to remind you of this, but are you reminding your members of Congress?