February 11, 2021 - TRA Newswire -
Texas civil engineers have given Texas highways and roads a black eye with a D+ ranking.
In the first infrastructure report card issued since 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers ranked a number of state sectors from a B+ in energy infrastructure to a D in levees and wastewater. Highways and roads scored a D+ with bridges and urban transit scoring a B-.
"Funding for highways, roads and rail projects is the responsibility of the state legislature, which kicks the funding can down the road every session without a real fix," according to Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody. "The last time the gas tax was raised was in 1991, 30 years ago. Let me repeat that. Thirty years ago. Construction and maintenance costs have gone up over 30 years, roads are more crowded than ever in Texas and there is no funding stream for passenger rail projects. If the gas tax was raised a dime right now you'd start to see better roads and rail projects happen. Then index it to inflation and set aside a portion for rail projects. We can't build our way out of congestion with just asphalt and concrete."
While Texas scored low in highways and roads, the ASCE said Texas did maintain its bridges and had an overall good transit system. Texas is home to the smallest percentage (1.3%) of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, according to the report. THE ASCE noted Capital Metro’s Project Connect, a $7 billion transit bond voters approved to transform the city with light rail and rapid bus lines.
Rep. Dennis Paul, R-Houston, who himself is a structural engineer, said that “the ASCE Texas Infrastructure Report Card is a critical tool as we assess our needs and measure progress in actively building Texas into a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Paul was quoted by the ASCE in the report which was issued Wednesday.
Aviation got high marks with a B- that included the major hubs in Dallas and Houston along with other international airports in the state.
Energy infrastructure received the highest grade due to improvements in wind, oil and gas infrastructure, according to the ASCE. It said it enhances Texas’ “stellar reputation as a leading energy producer and provider.”
Texas civil engineers have given Texas highways and roads a black eye with a D+ ranking.
In the first infrastructure report card issued since 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers ranked a number of state sectors from a B+ in energy infrastructure to a D in levees and wastewater. Highways and roads scored a D+ with bridges and urban transit scoring a B-.
"Funding for highways, roads and rail projects is the responsibility of the state legislature, which kicks the funding can down the road every session without a real fix," according to Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody. "The last time the gas tax was raised was in 1991, 30 years ago. Let me repeat that. Thirty years ago. Construction and maintenance costs have gone up over 30 years, roads are more crowded than ever in Texas and there is no funding stream for passenger rail projects. If the gas tax was raised a dime right now you'd start to see better roads and rail projects happen. Then index it to inflation and set aside a portion for rail projects. We can't build our way out of congestion with just asphalt and concrete."
While Texas scored low in highways and roads, the ASCE said Texas did maintain its bridges and had an overall good transit system. Texas is home to the smallest percentage (1.3%) of structurally deficient bridges in the nation, according to the report. THE ASCE noted Capital Metro’s Project Connect, a $7 billion transit bond voters approved to transform the city with light rail and rapid bus lines.
Rep. Dennis Paul, R-Houston, who himself is a structural engineer, said that “the ASCE Texas Infrastructure Report Card is a critical tool as we assess our needs and measure progress in actively building Texas into a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Paul was quoted by the ASCE in the report which was issued Wednesday.
Aviation got high marks with a B- that included the major hubs in Dallas and Houston along with other international airports in the state.
Energy infrastructure received the highest grade due to improvements in wind, oil and gas infrastructure, according to the ASCE. It said it enhances Texas’ “stellar reputation as a leading energy producer and provider.”