Freight congestion, aging bridges, insufficient mass transit, brownouts, soaring energy costs, flooding, and polluted waters – all news in recent years, and all partially the results of continued strain on our nation’s infrastructure. At the same time, the need for an economic stimulus is greater than ever. The presidential election in November 2008 gives us a fresh opportunity to set a new agenda for infrastructure investment in the Great Lakes megaregion to revive the flagging economy and to compete globally.

During this all-day symposium, Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council and New York’s Regional work to identify and prioritize strategic investments in transportation, water, and energy to be included in a national infrastructure plan, authorization of a new surface transportation bill, pending climate change legislation, and implementation of the Great Lakes Compact.

This recording includes a report back from the day’s breakout sessions on water, energy and transportation; participants include: Al Appleton, Catherine Morris, Petra Todorovich and closing remarks from MarySue Barrett and Bob Yaro.

Also recorded as part of this symposium:

* Rebuilding and Renewing America: Infrastructure Choices in the Great Lakes Megaregion / An America 2050 Forum (Morning Session)

* Concurrent Roundtables on Cross-Border Infrastructure Challenges in the Great Lakes Megaregion: Water

* Concurrent Roundtables on Cross-Border Infrastructure Challenges in the Great Lakes Megaregion: Energy

* Concurrent Roundtables on Cross-Border Infrastructure Challenges in the Great Lakes Megaregion: Transportation

* Rebuilding & Renewing America: MPOs in the Great Lakes Megaregion

Recorded Monday, November 17, 2008 at Hyatt Regency Chicago.