Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) recently introduced a joint bipartisan resolution to recognize April 17 through April 21 as “National Work Zone Awareness Week” for 2023. [Above photo by the Indiana DOT] The annual National Work Zone Awareness Week campaign is held every spring to coincide with the start of construction […]

National passenger railroad operator Amtrak plans to apply, with the help of the Southern Rail Commission or SRC, for federal funding to study the potential for new train service between New York City, Atlanta, and Dallas/Fort Worth. [Above photo by Amtrak] Amtrak said it would enable that new service by extending a section of the popular Amtrak Crescent train from Meridian, […]

An annual consumer survey conducted by AAA concerning autonomous vehicles indicates that, while there is still a “high level of interest” in partially-automated vehicle technology, attitudes toward fully self-driving vehicles have become increasingly “apprehensive.” [Above image via AAA] AAA said its 2023 survey discerned a “major increase” in drivers who are “afraid” of fully-autonomous vehicle technology; […]

Four teams of university faculty and students have been selected by NASA to help solve key challenges facing the future of air travel as part of the agency’s University Leadership Initiative. [Above photo by Joel Kowsky for NASA] NASA said this initiative gives the academic community an opportunity to support its aeronautical research goals, while […]

National passenger railroad operator Amtrak has initiated what it calls “early construction activities” associated with its $6 billion B&P Tunnel Replacement Program. [Above photo by Amtrak] That work includes replacing aging wooden ties with new concrete ties, installing new rail, and completing track drainage improvements in the Halethorpe and West Baltimore areas in Maryland. At nearly […]

The Maritime Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation – known as MARAD – recently issued a notice of funding opportunity, making more than $12.4 million in fiscal year 2023 grants available to support a variety of marine highway projects. [Above photo by MoDOT] The agency also renamed the program via which those funds will […]

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has opened the online application portal for two of its major awards programs: The 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition and 2023 President’s Transportation Awards. [Above image by AASHTO] AASHTO opened the nomination portal for the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards on March 3, with April 14 the […]

The Federal Railroad Administration has unveiled a new national initiative for focused inspections on routes that carry high-hazard flammable trains or HHFTs and other trains carrying large volumes of hazmat commodities. [Above photo by the FRA] This new effort follows the catastrophic February 3 derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, OH, that resulted […]

Twelve state departments of transportation signed a national pledge to expand equity opportunities in the infrastructure sector during a ceremony on March 1 during the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2023 Washington Briefing in Washington, D.C. [Above photo by AASHTO] Those state DOTs pledged to create opportunities for historically underutilized businesses or […]

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded $185 million in grants to 45 projects through its new “Reconnecting Communities” pilot program – what the agency described as a “first-of-its-kind” initiative to reconnect communities “cut off from opportunity and burdened by past transportation infrastructure decisions.” [Above photo by USDOT] Established by $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs […]