Articles

President's Message - April 2015

Finally, spring is officially here!  ASCE is on the move and making steps in impacting our community locally and beyond.  See how you can get involved with one or more of these initiatives.

ASCE & LEGISLATION.  I recently attended the 2015 Infrastructure Forum hosted by the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. ASCE National Past President Greg DiLoreto shared the report card on our nation’s infrastructure. Despite improvements over the last few years, the average grade for our roads and bridges are D and C+, respectively. Funding is the biggest shortfall with approximately $3 to $3.5 Trillion needed towards capital improvements by 2020. The “Failure to Act” report digs in deeper to discuss the economic impact on businesses and households alike. Part of ASCE’s initiative to address this issue is sending delegates from around the country to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on March 24-26. Dallas Branch committed to send Doug Smith, P.E. to represent us and discuss with our congressional leaders on some key issues such as.  

• Fixing the Highway Trust Fund and Reauthorization
• Water Resources Reform & Development Act implementation

For more information Click Here.

JOINT GOLF TOURNAMENT.  It’s that time to brush off your clubs and practice your golf swing! Dallas Branch is hosting the 2015 Joint Dallas-Fort Worth Golf Tournament on Monday, May 18, 2015.  Gather your team together for a round of 4-person scramble on the Championship Course at Brookhaven Country Club and a delicious lunch afterwards!  Proceeds from the golf tournament will go towards the GB Mann scholarships to be awarded in Spring 2016. We also have opportunities for sponsorship and individual player registration.  Click here for more details and registration. Contact Tournament Chair, Morris Layton at [email protected] for your questions.

TOWERS OF CREATIVITY.  New this year, ASCE Education committee were STEM advisors to a Girls Scouts troop on a building blocks activity using Girl Scout cookie boxes. The Cookie Box Creations competition and displays were at the Dallas Galleria for judging and viewing by the general public in March.  We are proud of Team #7 and their water ecosystem theme!  A big thank you to Jennifer Roath, Education Co-chair  who brought the idea to our Branch and led our volunteers. 

EARTH DAY. Don’t forget to sign up for the Earth Day Texas event on Saturday, April 25 or Sunday, April 26 at Fair Park!  Use hands-on activities to share how civil engineers help the environment!  For more details, click here. 

YOUNG MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS. Younger Member co-chairs, Ashlyn Kelbly and Alexis Clark have been planning interesting and fun activities this year. 

• April 11: Volunteer and Beer – Sort cans at the North Texas Food Bank in Dallas with ASCE & TSPE and enjoy a cold beverage afterwards!
• May 9: Young Engineers Night with FC Dallas – Join other young professionals for food, networking, and a game of soccer at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.

APRIL MEETING. Even before there was an ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, DOTs have implemented inspection and maintenance programs for transportation systems knowing full well the consequences of minor to catastrophic failures. Locally, TxDOT funds inspection and repair work on various structures throughout the state. One such bridge is the IH-345 bridge adjacent to Downtown Dallas. Thousands of motorists travel this bridge going from US 75 to IH-30 every day. We have invited Jon McGormley with Wiss, Janney, & Elstner to speak on the Assessment, Instrumentation, and Load Testing of IH-345 Bridge in Dallas. You do not want to miss this topic!

Hope to see you volunteering or at our next meeting!  
Angela Matthews, P.E.
ASCE DALLAS BRANCH PRESIDENT