CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The American Society of Civil Engineers released a report on Wednesday that found America's crumbling surface transportation infrastructure could cost the United States economy more than 877,000 jobs.

Rep. Nick J. Rahall, ranking Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, renewed his request that Congress pass transportation legislation to fix widespread problems in highways, bridges and transportation infrastructure around the country.

Failure to increase investments to improve surface transportation, the new AFSC report warns, could cost U.S. businesses $430 billion during the next 10 years.

"While Republicans may hope that if they simply say we are going to 'do more with less' enough times it will magically make it so, today's report provides the cold hard truth that America's economic recovery and long-term competitiveness will suffer if we continue to underinvest in our future," Rahall said.

Earlier this month, House Transportation Committee Republicans unveiled a six-year federal highway and transit reauthorization proposal that would cut funding by 33 percent.

"While our international competitors are moving forward, the Republican bill would put American businesses at a disadvantage with companies around the world," Rahall said.