AASHTO Executive discusses construction costs on NBC News.

Press Release Summary:



In an NBC Nightly News interview by correspondent Savannah Guthrie, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley, when asked about state financial difficulties, said "We're experiencing the perfect storm in terms of maintaining the nation's highways." It was also reported that states are being hit hard by a 63% price jump of diesel fuel in the past year, which runs most of the trucks and equipment state DOTs use for transportation construction.



Original Press Release:



AASHTO's Executive Director Appears on NBC Nightly News



Report Draws National Attention to Skyrocketing Construction Costs

NBC News addressed the growing national concern about skyrocketing transportation construction costs during its evening broadcast Sunday. NBC News Correspondent Savannah Guthrie reported that "the cost of asphalt has shot up 70 percent in the last five years because one of its key ingredients is crude oil." Guthrie spent the past several days interviewing a number of local, state and national experts, including AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley. When asked about the financial difficulties many states are facing, Mr. Horsley said, "We're experiencing the perfect storm in terms of maintaining the nation's highways."

State DOTs are responsible for the upkeep of America's 47,000 route miles of Interstate Highway and 70 percent of the nation's bridges. NBC used New Jersey's Pulaski Skyway as just one example of why the nation need to investment more in infrastructure. The skyway, which crosses the Passaic and Hackensack rivers between Newark and Jersey City, needs to be replaced. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine (D) told NBC News the cost of preserving the 75 year old structure continues to increase. "We
have seen almost a 12 percent increase in the cost of the materials needed to make this bridge safe," Corzine said.

Guthrie also reported that states are being hit hard by a 63% jump in diesel fuel prices in the past year. Diesel fuel runs most of the trucks and equipment state DOTs use for transportation construction.

Guthrie's concluding statement summed up her report; "Costs up, revenues down, the high cost of oil being driven home, on an increasingly bumpy road," Guthrie said. You can see the story here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25442074#25442074

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the
"Voice of Transportation" representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation.

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