Engineers begin Oregon infrastructure study

Sunday, September 07, 2008 |
PORTLAND (AP) — The state infrastructure is going to get a report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The national association assesses the condition of the infrastructure across the country every five years.
In 2005, the engineers gave the nation’s roads, schools and other public assets a D grade and said $1.2 trillion was needed to bring it up to an A. The number was updated to $1.6 trillion in 2008.
Since then, several states including California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have produced their own report cards.
But Oregon hasn’t yet undertaken its own evaluation.
Over the next four to six months, the engineering organization will study the condition of Oregon’s roads and bridges, wastewater treatment, drinking water systems, schools, dams, transit, airports, and power grid.
“We’re going to bet the report will reflect what the state’s funding priorities have been focused on in recent years,” said Christian Steinbrecher, chairman of the ASCE Oregon infrastructure review committee and an engineer with Ukiah Engineering in Portland.
The report will build on the Portland Business Alliance’s recent cost of congestion study and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s bridge needs study.
The association has assembled four committees to complete the report:
— Darren Hippenstiel, an engineer with CH2M Hill, will oversee roads and bridges.
— Scott McMahon, also of CH2M Hill will head up transportation.
— Christopher Goodell, a hydraulic engineer with WEST Consultants will examine water resources and treatment.
— Irina Leschuk, a principal with DL Design, will lead the committee on schools, solid waste and energy.
The group hopes to have a completed report in time for the 2009 Oregon legislative session, which will likely consider a transportation funding bill among other proposals.
“Sometimes just the act of highlighting and benchmarking these areas can move things along in terms of improvements,” said Steve Grover, an economist with EcoNorthwest.
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