Super Storm Sandy: Rebuilding Our Infrastructure System
Hurricane Isaac and Super Storm Sandy in the last year devastated cities and towns in the Eastern part of the United States, and put a re-energized focus to rebuilding our infrastructure system. While repairs are being made and rebuilding challenges are being considered, federal, state and city officials are looking at how we can come up with sound solutions to rebuild our nation’s transit, roads and bridges and telecommunications.
When Sandy hit on October 29th in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, eight million customers lost power. Furthermore, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint were scrambling for days (even weeks for some) to restore landlines and cell phone usage, highlighting the growing need for utility and infrastructure investment.
In fact, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York State is asking Congress not only to authorize an emergency spending bill to cover an estimated $32.8 billion in storm damage from Sandy, but he’s also asking for another $9.1 billion for improvement to protect New York’s infrastructure from future storm damage, including “common sense” actions such as flood protection for the World Trade center site, roads, subway tunnels and sewage treatment plants, as well as power generators for the region’s fuel supply system and backup power for health care facilities. Reconstructing the New York City’s damaged roads alone could cost nearly $800 million, according to Major Michael Bloomberg.
New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie estimated overall damage at $29.4 billion in his state, which includes personal property, business, infrastructure (including its transit system) and utility damage. Meanwhile, Governor Dannel Malloy of Connecticut four weeks after the storm hit said that state officials will be looking at a “comprehensive” review of building codes and shoreline infrastructure.
Sandy and other storms have changed the landscape of areas in several communities (Jersey Shore and others) on the East Coast, and rebuilding will take thoughtful care and a great deal of resources. This doesn’t only apply to our infrastructure but also to the homes and businesses affected in these areas, with many different factions having to come together, including local, state and federal government as to land-use and construction-code issues that will dictate how and where rebuilding is done; individual property owners who will decide whether they want to rebuild; and insurance companies who will be deciding what they’ll insure and at what premium costs.
Caitlin-Morgan is a leading bridge, street and road contractor MGU and wholesale insurance broker that understands how complicated the transportation construction industry can be. We’ve developed a comprehensive and affordable program specific to the industry. Give us a call today for more information – 877.226.1027