FCC Encouraged to ‘Stay the Course’ and Keep 5.9 GHz Spectrum for Transportation Use
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSState departments of transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation urged Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to continue reserving the 5.9 GHz wireless spectrum for transportation communication needs, after Pai openly championed its re-evaluation via a proposed rulemaking initiative during a speech on May 14. “Given the swirl of the debate and the vast […]
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ARTBA Panel Outlines Major Infrastructure Priorities for 2019
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSA panel discussion May 14 held in Washington, D.C., during a legislative summit sponsored by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association focused on the major infrastructure issues facing the United States, especially in terms of generating more funding for transportation projects. [Left to right in above photo: Paul Skoutelas, Linda Bauer Darr, Jim Tymon, […]
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FHWA’s Nason Stresses Importance of Infrastructure in First Public Remarks
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSNicole Nason (seen above) made her first public remarks as the new administrator of the Federal Highway Administration on May 14 at a legislative summit sponsored by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association in Washington, D.C., emphasizing the importance of “protecting and preserving” transportation infrastructure for the generations of Americans yet to come. [Above […]
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FTA to Offer $423.3M in Grant Funding for Transit Bus Projects
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Transit Administration published Notice of Funding Opportunity on May 15 for approximately $423.3 million worth of transit bus project grants. The agency said in a statement that those funds, issued via its Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, is aimed at “improving the condition of bus infrastructure by funding the replacement and rehabilitation of buses […]
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USDOT Secretary Marks 150th Anniversary of the First Transcontinental Railroad
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSU.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao gave a keynote address at the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike ceremony in Ogden, Utah, on May 11; an event that celebrated the completion of America’s First Transcontinental Railroad. “The transcontinental railroad was a tremendous feat of engineering, innovation and manpower that was key to the economic development […]
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FRA Officially Rescinds Nearly $1B for California High-Speed Rail Project
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSIn a 25-page letter issued on May 16, the Federal Railroad Administration officially “deobligated” more than $928 million in funding given to the California High-Speed Rail Authority for “failure to make reasonable progress” on the state’s proposed north-south high-speed train program; a project curtailed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Feb. 12. [Above photo […]
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National RTAP Provides Anti-Human Trafficking Insight for Transit Agencies
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSThe National Rural Transit Assistance Program hosted a webinar on May 14 to provide resources to help transit agencies develop a “roadmap” to prevent and disrupt human trafficking operations. Webinar speakers Kristen Joyner, executive director of the South West Transit Association, and Annie Sovcik – program Director for Busing on the Lookout, which is a […]
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USDOT’s Rosen Officially Confirmed as Deputy Attorney General
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSThe Senate officially confirmed Jeffrey Rosen (seen above), formerly the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, to be deputy attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice by a vote of 52 to 45, with three abstentions, on May 16. President Trump originally nominated Rosen to be the next deputy attorney general on […]
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FAA Plans Second Round of ‘Supplemental’ Airport Infrastructure Grants
editor@aashto.org May 17, 2019 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement on May 15 it plans to award $779 million in supplemental funding for infrastructure grants to 127 airports in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. This “supplemental” funding is in addition to the $3.31 billion already awarded via the agency’s Airport Improvement Program during fiscal year 2018, […]
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On May 15, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., introduced the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2019, which aims to “transition” the U.S. vehicle fleet to 100 percent zero-emission models by 2040 Co-sponsored by Presidential candidates Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., the legislation would establish […]
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