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In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Building America's Future late last week sent a letter to President Barack Obama and congressional leaders calling on them to create a commission to develop a long-term strategic plan for the nation's infrastructure.

The need to shore up infrastructure, the electrical grid and public transportation systems has become even more evident and urgent in light of the storm, Building America's Future leaders said in a prepared statement. The organization is a bipartisan and national infrastructure coalition co-chaired by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"For too long, Washington has ignored the warning signs," Rendell said. "These major disasters grab headlines, but the continued failure of our infrastructure to keep us safe, to improve the quality of our lives and keep us economically competitive is even more jarring."

The nation needs a long-term strategic infrastructure plan to invest in roads, bridges, transit systems, ports, water systems, and broadband and electric grids, coalition officials said.

"America's global economic competitors have been directing billions of dollars into 21st century infrastructure networks that have enhanced their own economic standing," they said. "But when it comes to our own nation's infrastructure [and] economic competitiveness, we have plummeted to a rank of 14, down from No. 1 in 2005."

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) this morning announced more service restoration on its passenger railroads and subways.

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) has restored several more subway lines and will provide limited service in time for this morning's rush hour, MTA officials said.

NYCT continued to dry out flooded tubes, track, signals and other equipment damaged last week by Hurricane Sandy.

Also, MTA Long Island Rail Road is operating all branches on a modified schedule, except the Long Beach branch. MTA Metro-North Railroad is operating regular service on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines, with branch service resuming, as well, MTA officials said.