A joint infrastructure funding framework issued by three House of Representatives committee chairs on January 29 seeks to invest $760 billion over five years on the nation’s roads, bridges, transit systems, railways, airports, ports, inland waterways, brownfield clean-up, broadband internet installation, plus wastewater and drinking water systems. There are no “pay-fors” identified for the transportation […]
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Ways & Means Hearing Tackles Transportation Funding Issues
editor@aashto.org January 31, 2020 0 COMMENTSAnalyzing the effectiveness of current funding transportation infrastructure investment practices while investigating new methods served as the focal point for a House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means hearing on January 29. [Seen above testifying at the hearing from left to right: Joung Lee, Philip Fischer, Laura Canter, and Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. D.J. Gribbin, missing […]
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It’s common knowledge that transportation plays a key role in the movement of people and goods. But few think about the role transportation can play in rescuing people who are being moved against their will by traffickers. “America’s roadways, railways, airways, and waterways are being used to facilitate this modern form of slavery,” explained U.S. […]
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Congressmen Propose $500M Active Transportation Funding Bill
editor@aashto.org January 31, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act – introduced by Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H. (astride bike in middle of above photo), Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., and Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., on January 28 – would create a $500 million federal grant program for active transportation projects, including trails, sidewalks, and bikeways. [Above photo via Rep […]
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Energy Department Offering $300M for Sustainable Transportation R&D
editor@aashto.org January 31, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is splitting $300 million among three funding opportunity announcements or FOAs to spur sustainable transportation research and development activity. Announced during a speech by Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes (seen above) at the Washington Auto Show on January 23, this fiscal year 2020 funding aims to diversify the […]
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The Federal Transit Administration issued a notice of funding opportunity on January 24 offering up to $130 million in competitive grant funds through its Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program to spur the purchase or lease of transit buses that produce little to no harmful exhaust pollutants. [Above photo by New Flyer.] Eligible projects include the purchase […]
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FHWA Issues ER Funds to North Dakota for Flood Repairs
editor@aashto.org January 31, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Highway Administration issued $4.3 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief or ER funds to the North Dakota Department of Transportation on January 27 to help repair roads and bridges damaged by a series of floods last year. [Above photo by the North Dakota DOT.] Heavy rains in the late summer and fall of […]
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At the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao (above at left) provided a broad outline of her agency’s regulatory approach in relation to the nascent urban air mobility or UAM market. [Above photo by the WEF.] “These vehicles have the potential to create new mobility options […]
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Virginia Seeks to Raise Fuel Tax by 12 Cents Over Three Years
editor@aashto.org January 31, 2020 0 COMMENTSA broad transportation package unveiled by Virginia legislative leaders on January 27 and supported by Governor Ralph Northam (D) (seen above at left) includes a proposal to raise the state’s motor fuels tax by a total of 12 cents per gallon over the next three years, in annual three-cent-per-gallon increments. [Above photo via the Virginia […]
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Video: Caltrans, CHP Collaborate on Operation Snowflake
editor@aashto.org January 31, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe California Department of Transportation and California Highway Patrol are working together on a new effort dubbed “Operation Snowflake” that enhances protection for motorists when heavy snow limits or blocks use of the Interstate 5 corridor in northern Los Angeles County that passes through the 4,144-foot Tejon Pass summit; a section of highway known as […]
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