• Regularly attend meetings held in your community about pressing infrastructure problems.
• When you see a problem, find out what level of government has jurisdiction over it. At first, your search may seem confusing, but don't be discouraged. Sometimes various levels of government deal with different aspects of the same problem.
• Search the Internet. Agencies at all levels of government now have Web sites that list laws and regulations that pertain to your problem. Your member of Congress or state representative probably has a site, too, and that may link you to other government and advocacy group sources. If you know of an interest group that deals with the area you're interested in, visit their site. Search for magazine and newspaper articles that will tell you how other communities faced problems similar to yours.
• Ask business groups, such as your Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade, to examine the infrastructure in your area and its affect on local business, employment and the economy.
• Express your concerns to public officials such as your mayor. Ask them how they plan to solve these problems. Urge other citizens to support your cause.
• Write letters to the editor of your newspaper, your governor and your member of Congress, expressing your concerns and opinions on infrastructure.

ASCE members can use the ASCE Internet Advocacy Website to connect with their elected officials. Visit http://www.asce.org/advocacy.html and follow the instructions to login. The site provides you with background on an issue, a sample message to send to your elected official, or talking points to help you craft your own personal message to your legislator.

If you're not a member of ASCE, visit http://www.house.gov/ to write to your Representative and http://www.senate.gov/ to write to your Senators. Click here for a sample letter.

• Volunteer for - or organize - citizen advisory committees dealing with your community's infrastructure issues.
• Support local, state and federal officials who understand and are committed to infrastructure renewal. Ask them to make infrastructure an election issue, just as they would education, crime or health care.
• Work to help pass local bond issues to repair, replace and expand your roads, bridges, water systems and schools.
• Talk to civil engineers in your area about solutions and needs.