The U.S. Department of Transportation issued $1.5 billion in grants via the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America or INFRA program on September 14 to support 26 highway, multimodal freight, and railroad projects across the country. [Above photo by the Nevada DOT] Known statutorily as the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program, USDOT created INFRA […]
READ MORE
FHWA Approves 35 State EV Charging Infrastructure Plans
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Highway Administration said it has approved 35 or more than two-thirds of the electric vehicle or EV infrastructure deployment plans submitted by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in early August. [Above photo by the Arizona DOT] Those states with approved plans can now unlock more than $900 million […]
READ MORE
The tentative railway labor agreements between Class I freight railroads and several key labor organizations that averted a nationwide rail strike this week are a welcome development for state departments of transportation across the country. [Above photo by the Virginia DOT] The new contracts should provide rail employees with a 24 percent wage increase from […]
READ MORE
Bhatt: Safety, Economic Growth, Climate Key FHWA Priorities
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSShailen Bhatt (seen above), nominee to be administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, noted during a Senate committee hearing on September 14 that he intends to focus on highway safety, economic growth, and climate change as key priorities should he win confirmation as the agency’s next leader. [Above image via the Senate EPW video feed] […]
READ MORE
State DOTs Increase Multimodal, Active Transportation Support
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSSeveral state departments of transportation recently provided funds for a variety of mobility programs that aim to make it easier for people to walk, bike, share rides, and use transit services. [Above photo by the Oregon DOT] The Oregon Department of Transportation, for one, is seeking applications for its new Innovative Mobility Micro-Grants. The $5,000 grants […]
READ MORE
In this episode of the Environmental Technical Assistance Program or ETAP Podcast, Jessica Oh – strategic partnerships director in the sustainability and public health office within the Minnesota Department of Transportation – discusses the “next generation highway” her agency is studying. [Above photo by Minnesota DOT] The Ray, a foundation, and consulting firm NGI released the NextGen Highways […]
READ MORE
AASHTO Comments on the Interstate Rail Compacts Program
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently provided the Federal Railroad Administration with feedback regarding the agency’s request for information published mid-August in the Federal Register regarding the Interstate Rail Compacts or IRC program. [Above photo by Virginia DOT] AASHTO noted in a letter to FRA that the IRC program is an […]
READ MORE
National Groups Provide Support for Proposed Drone Bill
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSSeveral national organizations – including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials – are supporting a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives that would broaden the use of drones for infrastructure inspection purposes and provide funding for drone operator training. [Above photo by the NCDOT] H.R. 5315 – known as the […]
READ MORE
State DOTs Step up Focus on Rural Transportation Needs
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSSeveral state departments of transportation are expanding on their ongoing efforts to increase investments in rural mobility efforts. [Above photo by TxDOT] According to the Texas Transportation Commission, the Texas Department of Transportation has dedicated billions to statewide connectivity projects to upgrade interstates and other major rural highways over the next 10 years. “TxDOT is […]
READ MORE
DriveOhio Tapping Student Smarts Via Vertiport Challenge
editor@aashto.org September 16, 2022 0 COMMENTSTo find new ways to implement air mobility networks, DriveOhio – a division of the Ohio Department of Transportation – is seeking to tap the science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM skills of students from across the state via its latest Vertiport Innovation Challenge. [Above image via DriveOhio] Organized in collaboration with the Mastery […]
READ MORE