Sources: North American Concrete Alliance (NACA), Washington, D.C.; CP staff
On behalf of members in cement, ready mixed and precast production, the North American Concrete Alliance is praising passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act—reauthorizing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)—and urging President Donald Trump to sign the bill. Passage of vital water infrastructure and resource programs every two years means Congress is ensuring America can build and maintain 21st Century infrastructure, NACA contends, while supporting the 600,000 jobs across the cement and concrete industries.
“America’s water infrastructure, from waterways to drinking water systems, will remain strong thanks to Congress,” says Portland Cement Association CEO Michael Ireland. “Concrete is a central component in many of these projects, where resiliency and life-cycle cost are huge assets. PCA is grateful Congress has adopted many of the provisions supported by the cement and concrete industry.”
“This bill is a major achievement for Congress, NACA and its members,” adds American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association CEO Richard Mueller. “NACA has been working to educate lawmakers about America’s massive water infrastructure needs and the benefits of using cement and concrete to build for the long-term. Those messages clearly resonated and the result is one of the most important pieces of water infrastructure legislation in a quarter century.”
Among elements of the legislation most widely supported by the industry: Increasing infrastructure investment in waterway and flood control, including $6.1 billion for 12 new Army Corps of Engineers projects; reauthorizing construction programs like the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act; and, measures encouraging resilient and durable construction favoring concrete methods.
“We are pleased that WRDA reauthorization encourages resilient techniques by the Corps to ensure extreme weather mitigation and provide a return on investment by encouraging resilient construction techniques,” notes Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute CEO Danielle Kleinhans.