Hard Facts

Portland Cement Association
  • 5.0 (8)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hard Facts is a podcast that examines the best way to pay for the nation’s transportation infrastructure. We explore money-saving tools available to planners and builders and the case for using them through interviews with members of Congress, the Administration, and industry.

  1. 12/11/2019

    EXCLUSIVE: Federal Highways Chief Bullish on 2020

    The nation’s top highway official is optimistic Washington can make progress on a new funding plan for transportation infrastructure in 2020. Federal Highway Administrator Nicole Nason explains the Trump Administration’s view of the on-going federal funding debate and expresses optimism negotiators can beat a September deadline, in a Hard Facts exclusive season finale conversation. Link: Real Growth for 2020 Transportation Construction Market, ARTBA Chief Economist Says

    24 min

  2. 12/05/2019

    A Gift from Congress

    Brandye Hendrickson, Deputy Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, discusses the impact of the decision on infrastructure work, and her organization’s focus on highway safety concerns. Links: Presidential Candidates Will Talk Infrastructure at Forum Politico: Presidential Candidates’ Tracker on Transportation Issues Congress Repeals $7.6B Highway Funding Rescission

    22 min

  3. 11/27/2019

    The Road Ahead

    Washington may be focused with impeachment, but there's another "I" word that also warrants our attention. That's "I" for infrastructure. Are we on the road to nowhere, or is there hope for the future of surface transportation in America? Tanya Snyder, transportation reporter for Politico Pro stops by to discuss the policy challenges ahead for regulating rapidly evolving technologies. Links: https://www.politico.com/morningtransportation/ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2mVFb1clnJM4ERAQ2hEhJW?

    19 min

  4. 11/20/2019

    When the Levee Breaks

    There are 90,000 dams in the U.S. across 44 states.  Just over 1,600 of them pose potential risks, according to a recent Associated Press investigation. Risk and water levels are only rising as we see more extreme rainfall amidst intense storms that challenge the strength of our nation’s dams and levees. On this episode, we talk to Mark Ogden, technical specialist and project manager for the Association of State Dam Safety Officials about the current state of America’s aquatic infrastructure. Links: http://damsafety.org http://damfailures.org

    21 min

  5. 11/13/2019

    The Future of the Interstate

    It is no secret that America’s worn out interstate highway infrastructure has surpassed its intended shelf life. Our current highway system can’t keep up with increasing severe weather events and rising levels of congestion. Infrastructure investment is necessary, yet Congress still struggles to find a sustainable funding mechanism despite the astronomical cost to the economy in the event of system failure. On this episode, Neil Pedersen, Executive Director of the Transportation Research Board, shares the details of TRB’s The Future Interstate Report: 10 Big Ideas for the 21st Century. Links: interstate.trb.org

    24 min

  6. 11/06/2019

    Reading Economic Tea Leaves

    Interest rates. Public sector investment. Jobs. Tariffs. Consumer confidence. These and other factors weigh on the minds of economists sorting through the tea leaves that are leading indicators of spending, orders for manufactured goods, and government contracts. On this episode, Ed Sullivan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist in the Market Intelligence Group for the Portland Cement Association, shares the details of his annual Fall forecast for the economy and cement consumption.

    24 min

  7. 10/30/2019

    More Transportation Dollars? Just Say No!

    Groups come from all over America to ask Congress and the Administration for more money. The needs are many and the dollars few, so the push, often times, is intense.  The federal government plays a key role in so many initiatives across all 50 states, but there aren’t many that are greater than the lead Uncle Sam takes when it comes to funding transportation. The lagging condition of our infrastructure is well known. Perhaps it’s the magnitude of the need that makes one transportation non-profit’s message so unique. Transportation for America has made a break from conventional thinking, and while others are saying “more,” its leaders have energetically declared “no more.” T4’s Director, Beth Osborne, joins us week to explain her organization’s funding message heard ‘round the transportation world. Link: Advocacy Group: Stop Spending on New Roads

    30 min

  8. 10/23/2019

    Emergency Weather Advice

    Emergency managers know what it takes to recover from natural disasters. That’s why they’re telling states, counties, and cities to act now to prepare for storms, wildfires, and other calamities. David Paulison, the longtime chief of Miami Dade Fire Rescue, rose to national prominence in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when he was tapped by President George W. Bush to help New Orleans and other storm-ravaged communities recover while serving the nation as its FEMA chief. Now he advises planners work to prepare their roads, bridges, water systems, electrical grids, and telecommunications networks before the next big weather event strikes. That was his suggestion in an article he co-authored for RouteFifty.com, and it’s what he told us during a recent telephone conversation. Links: Former Emergency Managers: Act Now Before the Next Storm

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Hard Facts is a podcast that examines the best way to pay for the nation’s transportation infrastructure. We explore money-saving tools available to planners and builders and the case for using them through interviews with members of Congress, the Administration, and industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Portland Cement Association
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Hard Facts