Editor's Note

The Journal Publications Committee is pleased to present this issue with a focused special section on a topic of increasing importance: the performance of essential transportation infrastructure during and after extreme natural hazard events. The response of bridges is of special concern, as bridges are critical links affecting rescue operations and postdisaster recovery in many obvious ways. In this special section, lessons from bridge performance throughout the world have been collected to support the design and construction of future bridges that are more resistant to the effects of extreme winds, floods, and earthquakes. We trust that you will find the contents of the eight articles in this special section to be of interest and of practical value.

It has been a pleasure to work on this project with Wei Lee, guest editor. Dr. Lee approached me with the idea more than three years ago, and he has since worked diligently to solicit manuscripts, assist me with reviews, organize the order of papers, and prepare his Introduction to the section. Wei Lee is particularly well suited to this project, as he has personally been involved with several typhoon-related bridge failure investigations. He is a member of the Editorial Review Board for the Journal and a valued personal friend.