State of the Union Speech Sparks Infrastructure Discussions
editor@aashto.org February 7, 2020 0 COMMENTSBrief yet pointed words of support for infrastructure investment from President Trump during his third State of the Union speech on February 3 touched off a range of discussions within Congress regarding the need to pass surface transportation reauthorization legislation. [Above photo via the White House.] “We must rebuild America’s infrastructure [and] I ask you […]
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A new 29-page report issued by DePaul University on January 30 identified “significant increases” in seat capacity on the U.S. intercity bus system, especially on routes between major cities separated by 100 to 400 miles. Meanwhile, the report also indicated that new business models are “being refined,” especially state-supported networks such as the Bustang and […]
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Bill Seeks to Name USDOT HQ for First African-American Transportation Secretary
editor@aashto.org February 7, 2020 0 COMMENTSSen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., proposed legislation this week with bipartisan support that would rename the U.S. Department of Transportation’s headquarters building in Washington, D.C., after William Thaddeus Coleman, Jr. (in photo above at right) – the fourth U.S. Secretary of Transportation and first African American to serve in the position. [Above photo of the late […]
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The Federal Aviation Administration filed a Request for Comment on February 3 to seek feedback from industry stakeholders and the general public to its proposed Unmanned Aircraft Systems policy to certify certain civilian and commercial delivery UAS units – commonly called drones – as a “special class” of aircraft. [Above photo by the Colorado DOT.] […]
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On February 4, Governor Roy Cooper (D) named Eric Boyette (seen above) to serve as the next Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. [Above photo by the NCDOT.] Boyette, who currently serves as the Secretary and State Chief Information Officer of the N.C. Department of Information Technology, will transition to his new role […]
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Michigan’s Governor Calls for $3.5B in State Bonds for Roads
editor@aashto.org February 7, 2020 0 COMMENTSIn her second state of the state address on January 28, Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) (seen above) proposed that the State Transportation Commission issue $3.5 billion worth of bonds to fund a “Rebuild Michigan” program would nearly double the amount of funds available to fix roads over the next five years and help speed up […]
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In his final state of the state speech on January 30, Governor Gary Herbert (R) (seen above at podium) said he is earmarking a $34 million “down payment” toward improvements in heavy rail, light rail, and bus transit within his proposed fiscal year 2021 budget for the state of Utah, along with $66 million to […]
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet presented its 2020 Recommended Highway Plan to state legislators on January 28, which includes an intention to invest $100 million over two years to improve safety conditions on rural roads. [Above photo by the KYTC.] It also infuses $8 million over two years to install more than 100 miles of new […]
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Pennsylvania Study Tallies High Cost of Roadway Litter Cleanup
editor@aashto.org February 7, 2020 0 COMMENTSIn the first comprehensive statewide research study on highway litter, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicates that more than 502 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania’s roads, with the most common being cigarette butts (37 percent) and plastics (30 percent), while plastic film and beverage containers are the most prevalent items – with an estimated […]
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Ohio DOT Ups Funding for Local Transportation Safety Projects
editor@aashto.org February 7, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Ohio Department of Transportation will now cover 100 percent of local transportation safety project costs due to the higher revenues being generated as a result of an increase in the state’s motor fuel tax last year. Previously, local governments had to cover 10 percent of the costs associated with local transportation safety projects. [Above […]
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