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| Infrastructure Watch | | |
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- House speaker takes a 2-step approach on Sandy aid bill
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, says he plans a two-step approach on Hurricane Sandy relief -- a vote on a $9 billion appropriation to the National Flood Insurance Program, scheduled for Friday, and another vote on $51 billion in relief on Jan. 15. The decision followed criticism from Northeastern lawmakers after Boehner canceled a vote on a $60 billion relief bill. "Now we see a total change in attitude of the speaker, not just pulling the bill but making an effort to get it moved rather quickly, and that is a very positive development," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. The Hill/Blog Briefing Room
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- 3 WTC Tower moves a bit closer to construction
Tower 3 at the World Trade Center in New York City is a bit closer to construction now that "advanced" talks with a possible tenant are going on, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Developer Larry Silverstein hopes to build the 80-story tower by 2015. However, plans for Tower 2 are still "way down the road," the mayor said. New York Post
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| Trends & Technology | | |
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- 3D laser scans aid preservation, road building
Technology from nonprofit CyArk has helped preserve the deteriorating basilica roof at the Mission San Juan Bautista in California. The 3D technology uses laser beams to scan and make virtual models of historical structures so they can be recreated in the event of a disaster. The scans revealed that the wooden beams of the roof had weakened, and the measurements from the scans were used to make steel braces that fit the structure correctly. It's expected that the technology will also help road builders and architects. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
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| Sustainable Development | | |
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- Experts share 10 sustainable design forecasts in 2013
This year marks another opportunity to push the envelope in sustainable design, writes Diane Pham, and 10 of the world's experts share their predictions for this year's green design sector. Their forecasts include a wide range of topics, including designing with climate change in mind and how best to help cities grow. Inhabitat
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- Georgia to build 6 bear-crossing tunnels
Georgia is planning a $60.5 million project to widen State Route 96 -- and add six bear-crossing tunnels under the highway. Scientists believe about 300 bears live in the Ocmulgee and Oaky Woods wildlife management areas. "We're planning to install some fencing to funnel the wildlife into these crossings," said Jeremy Busby, a project manager for the Georgia Department of Transportation. "So the bears will kind of be funneled underneath the road through these crossings." Athens Banner-Herald (Ga.)/The Associated Press
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- BREEAM honors U.K. building for outstanding sustainable features
The largest commercial structure in Manchester, England, called One Angel Square, is the highest-scoring outstanding building for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method in the U.K. The building was built to achieve "a 50% reduction in energy consumption, an 80% reduction in carbon emissions, and a 30% savings in operational costs." Among its sustainable features are the use of exposed concrete that will act like a "thermal sponge," along with systems for rainwater harvesting, recycling and heat recovery. Inhabitat
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| Advancing the Profession | | |
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- Addressing minority education can help close STEM jobs gap
By providing minority students with greater support and opportunities to pursue courses in science, technology, engineering and math, schools can help produce a new generation of STEM professionals who can close both the ethnic and gender gaps that exist in STEM careers. While many of the highest-paying jobs are in STEM fields, only about 10% of college degrees are awarded in those subjects, an imbalance that could be improved with improvements in minority education. Voxxi
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| News from ASCE | | |
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Last call to nominate top university engineering programs for LeFevre Award
Nominate your college or university’s engineering program as the nation's finest by submitting it for the 2013 Walter LeFevre Award. The award is named in honor of E. Walter LeFevre, Ph.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE, who endowed it before his death to honor engineering programs for actions that promote licensure, ethics and professionalism. Awards are presented in two categories: large program, with greater than 50 graduates, and small program, with 50 or fewer graduates. Act now; nominations are due Jan. 15. Visit the LeFevre Award page for more information and forms.
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Save the date for ASCE's 143rd Annual Civil Engineering Conference
Don’t miss your best opportunity in 2013 to expand your professional development -- come to ASCE's Annual Civil Engineering Conference, next Oct. 10-12, in Charlotte, N.C. Join industry professionals from around the globe who will gather in the Queens City to discover and discuss the latest "Innovations in Project Financing," the theme for the conference. Contribute to your industry as a presenter at the conference! Answer the call for presentations and offer proposals for sessions, workshops and seminars. Mark your 2013 calendar for Charlotte!
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