House T&I Releases Five-Year $494B Surface Transportation Bill
editor@aashto.org June 5, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe five-year, $494 billion surface transportation bill released by the Democratic majority within the House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure committee on June 3 aims to direct monies from the Highway Trust Fund to a spate of new formula and discretionary grant programs. Dubbed the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface […]
READ MORE
EPW Hearing: Infrastructure Vital to Recovery, Social Equity
editor@aashto.org June 5, 2020 0 COMMENTSA hearing by the Senate’s Committee on Environment and Public Works delved into how transportation infrastructure funding not only can help the United States recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but provide more “social equity” by helping uplift communities through expanded access to better schools and better paying jobs. [Above photo by […]
READ MORE
Truckers Support Immediate Transportation Funding Infusion at Senate Hearing
editor@aashto.org June 5, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe commercial trucking industry is calling for short-term infusion of revenue that will allow states to avoid furloughs, maintain capital investment schedules, and save thousands of jobs as the fiscal impact on state transportation budgets continues to be felt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. [Above photo by Southeastern Motor Freight.] Randy Guillot – […]
READ MORE
In this episode of the Environmental Technical Assistance Program or ETAP podcast, host Bernie Wagenblast interviews Margaret Anderson Kelliher (seen above), commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, about her state’s perspectives on environmental sustainability. Anderson Kelliher, who serves as chair of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Committee on the Environment […]
READ MORE
Executive Order Seeks to Speed Up Infrastructure Investments
editor@aashto.org June 5, 2020 0 COMMENTSAn executive order issued by President Trump on June 4 seeks to speed up infrastructure investments while “providing appropriate protection for public health and safety, natural resources, and the environment, as required by law.” The order also directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to use “all relevant emergency and other authorities to expedite work on, […]
READ MORE
The Federal Transit Administration issued a total of $891 million in Capital Investment Grants or CIGs to 12 transit infrastructure projects across the country on May 29, followed by $130 million in grants on June 2 through its Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) grant program to support the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit […]
READ MORE
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule on June 1 that it said increases the transparency and efficiency of the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification process in order to promote the timely review of infrastructure projects while continuing to ensure that Americans have clean water for drinking and recreation. “EPA is returning the […]
READ MORE
The U.S. Department of Transportation published a final rule on June 2 that establishes a tribal transportation self-governance program, designed to provide a “flexible, effective framework” for the Federal government and Indian tribes to work collaboratively to improve transportation infrastructure delivery in Indian country. “This program will boost prospects for economic growth and enhance quality […]
READ MORE
Pennsylvania Turnpike Lays Off 500 as it Goes All-Electronic
editor@aashto.org June 5, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said that the cashless all-electronic tolling or AET system it instituted March 16 to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus will become permanent — a decision that will result in the layoff of approximately 500 employees, primarily toll collectors and fare-collection personnel. The layoff process is already underway and the […]
READ MORE
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is inviting the public to weigh in on its 25-year long-range transportation plan to help establish overall priorities and goals for various modes of travel and freight movement in the state including: highway; passenger and freight rail; public transit; bicycle and pedestrian; ports and waterways and airport access. [Above photo […]
READ MORE