WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 15, 2005 -- Two town halls with the theme "America's Infrastructure: Rebuilding Our Economic Backbone," will be held -- Feb. 17 in Phoenix and Feb. 24 in St. Louis -- by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and American Public Works Association (APWA) in preparation for the release of ASCE's 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure on March 9 in the nation's capital.
Local leaders, civil engineers, public works officials and citizens will gather to discuss their observations and concerns on local infrastructure conditions from traffic congestion to drinking water and sanitation concerns. Join local civic leaders in a discussion on America's infrastructure needs as documented by ASCE's Report Card.
The town halls are free of charge, but advance registration is required. The Phoenix event will be held 7:30-9 p.m. at the Black Canyon Conference Center at 9440 N. 25th Ave. The St. Louis event will be held 7-9 p.m. at the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association offices, 1 Metropolitan Square, 12th Floor. To RSVP or find out more information, send an email to [email protected].
A complex network of public works, infrastructure issues directly affect your life whether it's your children's schools, paying your utility bills, or highways, airlines, railways or waterways you use every day, ASCE pointed out. Its 2001 Report Card for America's Infrastructure gave the nation a grade of D+ and estimated that $1.3 trillion dollars would be needed for improvements in the next five years. This looming crisis jeopardizes America's prosperity and quality of life.
On March 9 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, the association will offer updated grades on the condition of our roads, bridges, drinking water, transit systems, energy and schools, among others basic infrastructure. To view the live webcast of the press conference, visit www.infrastructurereportcard.org.
More information is available regarding the infrastructure report from ASCE at 703-295-6300, [email protected] or www.asce.org.
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