A magnitude 6.5 earthquake shook the Idaho Central Mountains on March 31, causing rockfalls that blocked several mountain highways, including: Idaho Highway 75 (ID-75) near Stanley; ID-21 north and south of Lowman; ID-55 between Horseshoe Bend and Cascade; and ID-52 east of Emmett. [Above photo by the ITD.] After the earthquake, the Idaho Transportation Department […]

An eight-page study by the Road Ecology Center at the University of California-Davis finds that vehicles collisions and resulting injuries/fatalities are being cut in half on California highways due to traffic volume declines caused by large part by the stay-in-place order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom (D). [Above photo by Caltrans.] Using data derived from […]

The latest episode of the Transportation TV video series State DOTs Respond to Coronavirus: A Video Diary features the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s efforts to use of digital highway signs to keep motorists safe and informed regarding the latest COVID-19 information. Previous episodes of this video series have illustrated what the Ohio Department of […]

The Nebraska and Idaho transportation departments are both tracking significant declines in traffic volumes due to the economic impact of the COVID-19. The Nebraska DOT reported on March 31 that state highway traffic volumes dropped 29 percent for the month of March compared to the three-year monthly average compiled between 2016 and 2018, though freight […]

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities noted on April 1 that three Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) vessels – the Columbia, Kennicott, and Tustumena – will not be returning to service as originally scheduled due to COVID-19. [Above photo via the Alaska DOT&PF.] The agency noted in a statement that it tentatively plans […]

The Nevada Department of Transportation debuted a “Walk and Roll Wednesdays” program on March 30 to provide socially distanced Nevada families an opportunity for healthy and fun outdoor activity. [Above photo via the Nevada DOT.] The agency said in a statement that this initiative encourages families to spend at least 20 minutes outside every Wednesday, […]

The Wisconsin Employment and Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP) issued more than $1.7 million in grants on March 30 to 11 non-profit organizations providing employment transportation services to low income workers in 51 counties across the state. WETAP combines state funds from Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, plus federal monies, into […]

To help parents provide creative outlets for children home-bound due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place directives issued by local and state governments, the Virginia Department of Transportation is offering an array of transportation-themed activities via its Facebook page. The online offerings from the agency include: dump truck coloring pictures, a snowplow maze, a connect-the-dot exercise, and crossword […]

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – a division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation – made major adjustments to its service schedule on March 23 to accommodate the travel needs of “essential workers” such medical professionals and grocery store workers while at the same time coping with an overall decline in ridership. [Above photo by […]

The Hawaii Department of Transportation along with other federal, state, and private sector agencies, solved a thorny logistical problem that began on March 22 when a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) vessel carrying 2,000 passengers developed propulsion issues and had to unexpectedly make port for repairs. [Above photo of the Norwegian Jewel via Wikipedia.] “Due to […]