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State's challenges to be studied by new institute

May 30, 2002

A university research institute, the Keston California Infrastructure Institute, has been formed at the University of Southern California's Lusk Center to study ways to solve the infrastructure challenges faced by California.

"Initially, the Keston Institute will focus on issues of transportation, open space, water, power and other utility and sewer systems, helping decision makers and the general public find solutions for the development and financing of public infrastructure that could cost the state more than $175 billion over the next 10 years," says Stuart Gabriel, director of the Los Angeles-based Lusk Center.

California's population is projected to increase by 5 million people per decade and reach 45 million people by 2020, according to the Lusk Center. Recent studies have concluded that California's enormous infrastructure is inadequate to support its rapidly growing population and economy.

"We'll compile and evaluate data on infrastructure investment, assessing how it is linked to the state's economic growth, which continues to outpace the demand for development," Mr. Gabriel says.