May 2015, Vol. 70, No.5
Newsline
New App Encourages Everyday Heroes For Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. – Save America’s Infrastructure, a new Android/iOS phone app, was released today by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The app, released during national Infrastructure Week, tells the story of America’s aging infrastructure, then provides a way to take action by contacting elected leaders directly through the app.
Free to download, Save America’s Infrastructure offers national grades and key facts spanning 16 infrastructure categories, data for all 50 states and D.C., a news section, and an action center.
The app pulls key information from ASCE’s 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which graded the nation’s infrastructure at a “D+” overall, and offers localized information to enhance the user experience. For example, users can plug in their zip code to discover how many structurally deficient bridges are in their county. The app’s features include:
• State facts for key infrastructure categories and state Report Card grades where applicable
• National grades for 16 infrastructure categories, with key stats and recommendations to raise the grades
• Shareable infographics and videos
• An action center where users can quickly email their state and federal lawmakers and officials
• A news center that features stories on current trends and updates on infrastructure legislation
“As stewards of our nation’s infrastructure, civil engineers are the experts on America’s roads, bridges, water pipes, sewers and dams, and we know that these systems are aging,” said Robert D. Stevens, PE, PhD, President, ASCE. “Right now couldn’t be a better time to take advantage of this resource. Congress needs to find a way to fix the Highway Trust Fund with a long-term, sustainable funding source. This app allows people to contact their Senators and Representative and tell them why it matters.”
ASCE is a steering committee member for Infrastructure Week. To mark the week, events are happening across the country, including:
• Congressional Briefing: Investing in America’s Flood Infrastructure
Monday, May 11 at 3:30 p.m. Rayburn House Office Building B-318, Washington DC
• 2015 Report Card for Arizona’s Infrastructure release
Wednesday, May 13 at 11:30, 2000 Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
• Pittsburgh on the Move
Wednesday, May 13 at 3 p.m., Carnegie Mellon University, Porter Hall Room 100
• Alaska Municipal Light & Power’s Most Energy Efficient Plant: A Look Behind the Construction Fence at Alaska’s Resilient and Sustainable Energy Infrastructure
Wednesday, May 13 at 10 a.m., Juneau, AK
• Infrastructure Delivers More Than You Think: Tour Port NoLa
Thursday, May 14 at 9 a.m, 1350 Port of New Orleans Place New Orleans, LA
To learn more about any of these events and gain press credentials, contact Becky Moylan.
The third annual week, which runs May 11-15, highlights the critical importance of investing in and modernizing America’s infrastructure systems, and the essential role infrastructure plays in our economy. Learn more about the week and its events around the country at http://www.infrastructureweek.org.
The app is available now for download in the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play Store. The full Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, released in March 2013, is available at http://www.infrasrtucturereportcard.org and in a tablet app for iOS/Android devices.
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