Newswise — From increasing traffic congestion to sprawling suburbs, and abundant and safe drinking water to a natural disaster’s impact on a community, in recent years there has been increasing interest on the part of the American public in infrastructure and its impact on their daily lives. And, when journalists are insightful in their reporting, citizens can play a more informed role in the infrastructure debate that shapes their communities.

Since 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has honored journalists for outstanding news coverage that has enhanced the public’s understanding of the role and impact of civil engineers and civil engineering in designing solutions for clean water, transportation, the environment and other public works projects. ASCE’s Excellence in Journalism Award is given to a journalist(s) or producer(s) from an English-language, general interest regional or national newspaper, radio or television station, magazine (non-trade), or electronic or Web-based news outlet.

The Excellence in Journalism Award winner will receive a $3,000 honorarium, to be presented at ASCE’s Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) Awards Gala in the Washington, D.C. area in March 2010. Past award winners have included journalists such as Robert Lee Holtz and Kenneth Reich from the Los Angeles Times, James Glanz from The New York Times, Larry Van Dyne from the Washingtonian, and Mark Schleifstein and John McQuaid from The Times-Picayune.

Eligible award submissions must have been published or aired between May 1, 2008, and Oct. 31, 2009. Single stories, series or special sections/productions are eligible. For detailed eligibility and submission guidelines, or to download a nomination form, please visit http://www.asce.org/pressroom/honors/excel_journalism.cfm, or contact Karen Albers at (703) 295-6404 or [email protected]. Entries are due Dec. 1, 2009, and may be scanned and emailed to [email protected]. For large digital audio or video files, email a copy of the completed entry form to [email protected]—instructions will then be sent on how to upload the file to ASCE’s ftp server. Entries may also be mailed, but must be postmarked by Dec. 1, 2009.

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 144,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. For more information, please visit www.asce.org.