A proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army to “clarify” federal authority under the Clean Water Act and redefine the term “waters of the United States” or WOTUS could reduce a significant regulatory burden for transportation projects. [Above photo via Wikimedia Commons.] “Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 […]

A 28-page “conformity guidance” circular issued by the Environmental Protection Agency late last month provides some regulatory relief for transportation projects in areas affected by a controversial air quality decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit eight months ago. That decision in a lawsuit brought by the South […]

Nearly eight months after it announced the creation of the $1.5 billion “better utilizing investments to leverage development” or BUILD discretionary grant program, which replaced the TIGER program, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded funding to 91 projects in 49 states and the District of Columbia; monies supporting a wide variety road, rail, transit, port, […]

A legislative effort to transition federal transportation fuel standards from current “blend-specific” mandates to “performance-based” standards for so-called “renewable fuels” and the vehicles that use them sparked debate during a Dec. 11 hearing before the House of Representatives Committee for Energy and Commerce. The hearing focused on a “discussion draft” released Nov. 21 called the […]

Congressional transportation committee leadership is poised to change come January following the results of the midterm elections on Nov. 6, which gave control of the U.S. House of Representatives back to the Democrats while keeping the Senate in Republican hands. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., will become chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, while […]

President Trump signed a Senate and House of Representatives approved-measure on Dec. 7 that provides a temporary two-week government funding extension. [Above photo by Maria Pagan.] According to RollCall, that legislation extends current funding levels until Dec. 21, buying time to reach final agreement on outstanding spending issues, including President Donald Trump’s request for $5 […]

A consensus study report issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on Dec. 6 recommends an annual investment of $57 billion in the U.S. interstate system, a near-term increase in federal fuel taxes indexed to inflation and accounting improvements in vehicle fuel mileage, plus a long-term changeover to tolling and vehicle miles […]

The funeral service for President H. W. George Bush, held Dec. 5 in the nation’s capital, evoked many memories of the 41st president’s one term in office – especially his impact on transportation, via the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. [Above photo by Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle, Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs.] On the […]

Editor’s note: this story has been updated. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Alaska on Nov. 30, centered about 7 miles north of Anchorage, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. [Above photo via Twitter.] The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities immediately deployed crews to inspect roads and bridges following the quake, while also placing its […]

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held an informational hearing on Nov. 28 that sought suggestions on how to generate funding to support U.S. surface transportation infrastructure needs now and into the future. [Above photo left to right: AASHTO’s Braceras, AGC’s Lanham, SACG’s Corless.] Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of […]