FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alan D. Crockett, ACEC, 202-682-4301; acrockett@acec.org

Statement by David A. Raymond,
President/CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies

In response to the Amtrak Train Derailment in Philadelphia:

A Dangerous Gamble With America’s Infrastructure Crisis

As we express our deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families of Tuesday’s catastrophic Amtrak train derailment, the tragedy serves as yet another reminder of the consequences we face when critical infrastructure fails. While we don’t yet know the exact cause, we unfortunately see thousands of examples each year in which obsolete infrastructure puts lives and property at risk – from bridge collapses, to pipeline explosions, to breached levees. While the need for robust investment in infrastructure has never been more obvious, Congress continues to play a dangerous gamble in its response, putting off again and again the hard decisions that need to be made. At a time when Congress is actually contemplating cuts to Amtrak, and is failing to address larger funding needs to upgrade the nation’s roads, bridges, airports and water systems, we all need to recognize that the nation’s infrastructure is at a crisis point and must be dealt with seriously.

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America’s engineering industry, representing more than 5,000 independent engineering firms and more than 600,000 professionals throughout the U.S. engaged in the development of America’s transportation, water and energy infrastructure, along with environmental, industrial and other public and private facilities. Founded in 1909, ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.

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