6th Annual Infrastructure Week Kicks Off, Draws Attention to Urgent Need to Invest in U.S. Infrastructure

May 14, 2018 – Washington, D.C. –  The sixth annual Infrastructure Week kicked off today with simultaneous events at Washington, D.C.’s and Los Angeles’ Union Stations. Featured speakers at the kickoff events include Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and diverse business, labor and elected leaders from across America.

“We are excited that in its sixth year, Infrastructure Week is the biggest it has ever been, with a week of dynamic and inclusive programming across the country. With more than 400 affiliates hosting 100 events across the country, the message will be loud and clear that we can’t wait for our leaders to take action any longer,” said Zach Schafer, Executive Director of Infrastructure Week.

Schafer continued, “Despite some progress, especially at the local level, our current policies and investments not keeping pace with the growing needs. Repairs get more expensive, Americans are losing time and productivity, and our competitive edge is eroding while other nations prioritize infrastructure. Now is the time to build the modern, safe, fast, reliable infrastructure this nation deserves.”

Infrastructure Week (May 14-21) will feature more than 100 events in Washington, D.C. and across the country. Four hundred affiliate organizations will host forums, tour infrastructure projects, and amplify the message that we can’t afford to keep waiting to rebuild and modernize our nation’s roads, bridges, airports, seaports, water systems, power grid, and more. The calendar of public events is on Infrastructure Week’s website. Infrastructure Week calls on business, labor and elected officials at the local, state, and federal level to highlight their accomplishments, but also to step up and prioritize investment in infrastructure.

Infrastructure Week is led by an esteemed steering committee of the AFL-CIO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Americans Society of Civil Engineers, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, Building America’s Future, Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, and Value of Water Campaign. The 400 affiliates participating in Infrastructure Week range from policy groups to advocacy organizations, truckers to landscapers, water utilities to engineering firms, environmental groups to foundations, and many more.