Top Story

Report: Keys for resilient buildings may be found in nature
Relationships that exist within plants and animals in nature carry implications for construction of buildings that are resistant to disasters or extreme weather, according to the "Genius of Biome" report from design, architecture and planning firm HOK and nonprofit Biomimicry 3.8. Jamie Dwyer, a biologist and design strategist at Biomimicry 3.8 says that it's easy to understand how the sticky feet of a gekko inspired a new adhesive product, adding that "we can use biomimicy at the system level, as well." SmartPlanet.com/The Report blog (7/18)

Infrastructure Watch

McCarthy is confirmed to lead EPA
The Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy as the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, ending a standoff that had delayed her confirmation for more than four months. McCarthy brings with her 25 years of experience in environmental policymaking, including a stint as head of the EPA Office of Air and Radiation. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)/The Associated Press (7/19)

Federal loan review suspended for $6.9B XpressWest project
The Department of Transportation has suspended its review of a $5.5 billion loan request for the $6.9 billion XpressWest high-speed-rail project because of "serious issues" and an apparent problem with meeting Buy America guidelines, the DOT said. The train would have linked Las Vegas to Victorville in Southern California. However, the project is "not over with yet," says Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. "We have some ideas. It’s not dead. We think we have a way forward." FoxNews.com (7/17), Las Vegas Review-Journal (7/17)

Crews start repairs on $120M Silver Spring Transit Center in Md.

Source: WRC-TV

Repair work finally started Monday at the $120 million Silver Spring Transit Center project in Montgomery County, Md. Construction and design flaws led to the need for concrete repairs. Crews will "pressure inject the slabs with fresh concrete and place some kind of overlay on the surface ... [as well as] reinforce beams that are cracked or inadequately covered with concrete." The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (7/17), WRC-TV (Washington, D.C.) (7/15)

More efficient transportation spending could help finance new projects, Foxx says
Improving the efficiency of the current transportation infrastructure system could save funds that can used for new transit and road projects, says Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. Foxx cited the increased use of warm mix asphalt by the Federal Highway Administration as one way to be more efficient, saying the technology is "quietly saving taxpayers millions every year." The Hill/Transportation blog (7/18), FastLane.DOT.gov (7/18)

3-minute video reconstructs 2 centuries of building on Capitol Hill
The Architect of Capitol Hill has released a three-minute video that shows 220 years of construction of government buildings in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, D.C. The video "provides a 'visual timeline' of the area that is awesomely interesting," Will Wrigley writes. The Huffington Post (7/17)

Trends & Technology

Modern tech enhances use of maps in construction projects
The integration of new technology with construction maps is proving helpful in project modeling and management, as well as field work, according to this article. For instance, Bentley Systems, Resource International, and Rand McNally are some of the companies that combine technology and maps for use in various building projects in the utility, telecommunications and transportation industries. Constructech (free registration) (7/16)

Sustainable Development

EPA pushes for green infrastructure in Sandy-hit areas
The Environmental Protection Agency will host an event in New Jersey to educate Hurricane Sandy victims on using green infrastructure when rebuilding. "Green infrastructure makes both fiscal and environmental sense, especially given that communities need to start adapting to the growing effects of climate change," EPA's Judith Enck said in a statement. United Press International (7/18)

Advancing the Profession

Why leaders are nothing without influence
Influencing others effectively is the single skill that all leaders need to master, writes Mary Jo Asmus. That means bosses should work hard at building relationships and coalitions. "As a leader, your ability to influence others will make or break you. Start with the foundations of influence, and the rest will follow with more ease," Asmus writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (7/17)

Stop trying to think outside the box
"Thinking outside the box is a complete myth. It is based on flawed research from the 1970s," say authors Drew Boyd and Jacob Goldenberg. They advise a more traditional method of finding innovation through one of five patterns. "By constraining and channeling our brains, we make them work both harder and smarter to find creative solutions," they say. Strategy+Business online (free registration)/S+B Blogs (7/17)

News from ASCE

Get valuable advice on reaching your member of Congress
Learn how you can deliver the message of infrastructure investment and the 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure to your elected officials during the upcoming August congressional recess. Gain insights and perspective from a civil engineer, ASCE member, and member of Congress, Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., in the next Key Contact Briefing Conference Call set for this Tuesday, July 23, at 1 p.m. ET. You'll also hear ASCE members share some of their activities and success stories. Register now for Bringing the Report Card to Your Elected Leaders; your ASCE member login is required.

Civil Engineering online exclusive: Gateway Project to Relieve Congestion on UK Bridge

A new cable-stayed crossing is part of a 5 1/2-mile long project designed to reroute traffic over the River Mersey in the borough of Halton in Cheshire, United Kingdom. View bridge renderings, then explore more fascinating articles at asce.org/cemagazine.

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