Sec. Chao: ‘Nothing Off the Table’ for Surface Transportation Funding
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSQuestions regarding future surface transportation and Amtrak funding, infrastructure legislation, and Congressional earmarks were directed at U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao during her appearance before the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee on March 27. While roughly half of the hearing revolved around the investigation of two Boeing 737 Max […]
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By a vote of 95 to one – with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the lone “no” vote – the U.S. Senate confirmed Nicole Nason (seen above) to be the next administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Nominated by President Trump on Jan. 3 to lead the FHWA, Nason noted in her confirmation testimony that she […]
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Congressional Members Say Transportation Funding Remains Sticking Point
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSFinding a bipartisan solution to funding surface transportation and other infrastructure needs remains a major challenge in Congress, according to the chair and ranking member of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Speaking during the “Transforming Transportation” roundtable sponsored by Axios and Uber, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D, (seen in photo above […]
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House T&I Committee Holds Hearing on Airport Infrastructure Needs
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSRaising the passenger facility charges or PFCs added to airline tickets and increasing the amount of grant monies available through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program were key topics discussed during House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing held on March 26. [Above photo via YouTube screen capture.] “Crippling congestion has become the […]
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FAA, NCDOT Providing Oversight for New UPS Commercial Drone Service
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSUnited Parcel Service began delivering medical samples via unmanned drones in and around Raleigh, N.C. on March 26, with the Federal Aviation Administration and North Carolina Department of Transportation providing oversight of the new service. [Above photo by NCDOT.] NCDOT, which is working to leverage drones to expand healthcare access for the residents of North […]
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Survey: Recruiting, Retaining New Workers Becoming More Difficult for State Governments
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSU.S. state governments face growing challenges attracting, building and retaining critically important talent and workforce skills, according to research by the National Association of State Chief Administrators, conducted in collaboration with global consulting company Accenture and human resources provider NEOGOV. [Above photo by the Oregon Department of Transportation.] Based on surveys of chief administrators and […]
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State DOTs Across the Midwest Grappling with Damage Inflicted by Floods
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSState departments of transportation across the Midwest continue efforts to mitigate and repair damage to roads, highway, bridges, rails, and other modes of travel from severe flooding caused by rapid snow melt combined with heavy rains. [Above photo by the Nebraska National Guard.] President Trump issued federal disaster declarations for Nebraska on March 21 and […]
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New Executives Named for West Virginia Department of Transportation
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSGov. Jim Justice (R) officially appointed Byrd White III (above left) secretary of the West Virginia Department of Transportation on March 26, while naming Jimmy Wriston (above right) as both acting commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Highways and WVDOT deputy secretary. Both are being tasked to carry out the governor’s push to make […]
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Survey: ‘Traffic Congestion’ Big Reason San Francisco Bay Area Residents Want to Leave
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSAn annual survey conducted by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group found that 44 percent of those polled in the five counties making up the San Francisco Bay Area said they are likely to move out in the next few years – with traffic congestion cited as one of the major reasons driving them away. [Above […]
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Massachusetts Task Force Delivers Blueprint for Transit System Overhaul
editor@aashto.org March 29, 2019 0 COMMENTSThe Task Force on Regional Transit Authority Performance submitted a 50-page report for public review on March 25 that contained a slew of recommendations for the 15 Regional Transit Authorities providing public transportation service across Massachusetts. [Above photo by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.] That task force is one entity created as a result of […]
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