The SunBreak » report card

Civil Engineers Give Washington a “C” on Infrastructure Report Card

Michael van Baker — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:30:57 +0000

Washington's D+ subjects were roads and transit, even though, as the ASCE's Shane Binder was quick to clarify, the state has very good track record in terms of safety -- especially through its sustained reduction of highway fatalities -- and a very good track record for accountability on its projects. Transit ridership, too, is far above the national average.

2/3 of State Roads in Washington are Rated “Poor” or “Mediocre”

Michael van Baker — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:44:17 +0000

Here in Washington State, we are first in renewable energy, out of all the states. But we are faced with the unpleasant and yet unsurprising news that, with 83,505 public road miles, 67 percent of those roads are in poor or mediocre condition. Almost five percent of our bridges are rated structurally deficient.

What’s Behind UW’s Lame Ranking in Campus Sex Health Survey

Michael van Baker — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:15:30 +0000

Now, to be sure, the survey is based on "the level of sexual health information and resources available to students on campus," not what the students are up to, so don't have a conniption, parents. This isn't a referendum on that "hook-up" culture you've read about in your glossy magazines.