The economic plan aims to save or create 3.5 million jobs, address the housing crisis and invest in infrastructure projects, including water and wastewater projects as well as an expansion of the broadband network. The legislation includes approximately $US150 billion in spending on ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects with additional funds set aside for safe drinking water programs. There is reportedly $US4 billion slated for assistance to improving water quality and wastewater infrastructure needs and a further $US2 billion for drinking water infrastructure improvements.

President Obama said of the stimulus package that “There will now be shovels in the ground, cranes in the air-rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges and repairing our faulty levees and dams. It is the first step on the road to economic recovery.”

Governors, mayors and city officials are working overtime to identify the projects that meet the ‘shovel-ready’ qualifications set by the government. The trenchless industry looks set to benefit from the injection of funding and a renewed interest in green or sustainable projects.

The nuts and bolts

In late January, the US conference of Mayors released the fourth in a series of reports addressing Mainstreet Economic Recovery on infrastructure projects that are “ready to go”. The report said that in 779 cities across the country a total of 18,750 local infrastructure projects are ready. These projects represent an infrastructure investment of $US149 billion that would be capable of producing an estimated 1.6 million jobs in 2009 and 2010.

American towns and cities are coping with the ageing of underground assets while also attempting to keep pace with new installations. Although the infrastructure is not a visible expenditure, like bridges and roads, it is essential to the health, living standards and economy of the nation.

The American Water Works Association, an authority on safe water, said that “More than $US10 billion in infrastructure projects around the nation are ‘shovel-ready’ and can be underway as soon as funds are committed.

“These projects would put more than 400,000 Americans to work on aging water mains, leaking pipes, treatment plants, pumps stations, storage reservoirs, elevated tanks and other needs.”

President Obama, addressing Congress, said the enormous cash injection will enable the Government to “Build an economy that can lead this future, we will begin to rebuild America. Yes, we’ll put people to work repairing crumbling roads, bridges, and schools by eliminating the backlog of well-planned, worthy and needed infrastructure projects. It means expanding broadband lines across America, so that a small business in a rural town can connect and compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world.”

Trenchless industry to lead the way

NASTT Chairman Chris Brahler said “Despite a sluggish US economy, I am optimistic about the outlook for the trenchless industry in the coming year. There is an ever-growing need for Trenchless Technology as a viable solution for solving America’s underground infrastructure problems.

“The environmental benefits of Trenchless Technology will be attractive to those cities that are ‘going green’. Current research shows that CO2 emissions are reduced when trenchless methods are used versus open-cut. This translates to a direct-cost benefit for cities that are facing carbon taxation.”

Mr Brahler said that from the green construction aspect to the heightened awareness of infrastructure, Trenchless Technology looks to play a strong role in 2009 and beyond. He also emphasised that the NASTT is well-positioned to face the challenges that lie ahead.

“Our industry is made up of quality manufacturers, smart engineers and talented contractors and great municipalities and end users. That’s a winning combination for any industry.”