It’s Infrastructure Week in Washington D.C., the seventh such event intended to call attention to the importance of roads, bridges, runways, ports, transit systems, and rail lines in the United States. A website created for the week says more than 500 organizations, companies, and cities are hosting over 100 events nationwide. One of those events was a news conference with the U.S. Capitol in the background, held under cloudy skies on Tuesday. Hard Facts covered the proceedings and reports on co...
May 15, 2019•18 min•Ep. 12
Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber discusses the White House meeting on transportation funding and his introduction of the PAID Act, to require a Life Cycle Cost Analysis on any transportation project with at least $30 million in federal funding support.
May 08, 2019•10 min•Ep. 11
The debate over how to fund infrastructure took an interesting turn this week. Is there a chance Washington can agree on a way to pay for projects? We briefly explore that idea, and then talk with Robert Thomas, president of the National Concrete Masonry Association, about his industry’s push for a commodity check-off program.
May 01, 2019•23 min•Ep. 10
Reinforcing steel is a critical component of most concrete infrastructure projects. That’s why members of the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute are monitoring Congress as it debates the transportation funding question. Danielle Kleinhans, the organization’s President and CEO, gives us a history lesson and explains why she is cautiously optimistic that Capitol Hill will find a solution.
Apr 24, 2019•12 min•Ep. 9
As the weather warms in Washington, so does the rhetoric over how best to fund transportation infrastructure. The only agreement seems to be there is no agreement on how to raise the money to fund the work. Hard Facts went along as members of the Portland Cement Association and the North American Concrete Alliance visited House and Senate members, seeking their support for a solution. Tom Beck, PCA Board of Directors Chairman; Ron Henley, PCA Board of Directors Vice Chairman; Lori Tiefenthaler, ...
Apr 17, 2019•20 min•Ep. 8
Almost everyone with a vote in Congress agrees that funding transportation infrastructure is important. But the forecast for getting a funding package done this year depends on who answers the question. Jerry Voigt is the President and CEO of the American Concrete Pavement Association. He tells us inaction, for him and his members, is not an option.
Apr 10, 2019•23 min•Ep. 7
Every industry group impacted by the infrastructure debate is looking to have its voice heard on Capitol Hill. Dozens of associations, even those not working for transportation interests, are pushing Congress and the Administration for a solution to the funding crisis. But will anything get done this year? Rachel Derby, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Portland Cement Association, discusses the legislative process and addresses the potential for action in the current Congress....
Apr 02, 2019•26 min•Ep. 6
Delaware Senator Tom Carper explains the challenge Congress faces in finding an answer to the transportation infrastructure question, and tells us why states are often better at finding money for roads and bridges.
Mar 27, 2019•17 min•Ep. 5
While Congress continues to debate the details of a transportation infrastructure bill, hardworking people in the concrete industry are keeping an eye on their deliberations and their progress. This week, Richard Mueller and Ty Gable take turns sharing their message with Hill policymakers.
Mar 20, 2019•29 min•Ep. 4
No matter how you pour it, concrete lasts a long time. It’s this durability that also makes concrete a good value when setting the budget for transportation projects. Jeremy Gregory, executive director of the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub, talks this week about the Life Cycle Cost Analysis approach to planning transportation projects, which he says can return money-saving benefits to every road and bridge project.
Mar 13, 2019•22 min•Ep. 3
Wyoming Senator John Barrasso, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, gives his thoughts on the chances for a transportation infrastructure package this year, and talks about concrete, the family business.
Mar 06, 2019•10 min•Ep. 2
As Congress and the Administration work to find common ground on funding a new transportation infrastructure package, the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) approach to planning projects promises to stretch the federal investment, by saving money on most projects. Mike Ireland, Chief Executive Officer of the Portland Cement Association, explains the concept, and makes the case for LCCA.
Feb 27, 2019•17 min•Ep. 1
