Alaska Hit by Major Earthquake; ALASKA DOT&PF Assessing Infrastructure Damage
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSEditor’s note: this story has been updated. A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Alaska on Nov. 30, centered about 7 miles north of Anchorage, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. [Above photo via Twitter.] The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities immediately deployed crews to inspect roads and bridges following the quake, while also placing its […]
READ MORESenate ‘Informational’ Hearing Seeks Solutions for Surface Transportation Infrastructure Needs
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held an informational hearing on Nov. 28 that sought suggestions on how to generate funding to support U.S. surface transportation infrastructure needs now and into the future. [Above photo left to right: AASHTO’s Braceras, AGC’s Lanham, SACG’s Corless.] Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of […]
READ MOREAASHTO Policy Letters Focus on the Needs of Autonomous Vehicles
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSMotor vehicle safety standards, communication technology, and regulations governing the operation autonomous vehicles were among the key policy issues the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials addressed in three letters sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Communications Commission, and the USDOT’s Office of the Secretary, respectively, on Nov. 26. [Above […]
READ MOREPrice Tag for Gateway Project Remains Stumbling Block in Cuomo, Trump Meeting
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSA Nov. 28 meeting between President Trump and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) (seen above) produced positive headway on a number of infrastructure-related efforts, including the stalled Gateway Project, though the price tags for such efforts remained the main stumbling block in their conversation. “I think it’s fair to say that the meeting was […]
READ MOREJoint Letter Seeks ‘Consultation Process’ for Developing ‘Counter-Drone’ Protocols
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and several other groups filed a joint letter with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the USDOT on Nov. 26 to request establishing a “consultation process” for developing “counter-drone technology” protocols as a necessary step towards preserving the jurisdictional rights of the state and local […]
READ MOREFTA Provides $281M to Five Transit Projects in Four States
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Transit Administration is allocating $281 million worth of additional fiscal year 2018 federal funding to five transit projects in Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Texas. The agency said in a statement on Nov. 28 that this funding will be provided through its Capital Investment Grants or CIG program. [Above photo by Valley Metro.] Those […]
READ MOREFRA Issues Passenger Rail Equipment Final Rule, Updates Railroad PTC Compliance Rates
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Railroad Administration issued a final rule on Nov. 21 establishing what it calls “modern, performance-based safety standards for railroad passenger equipment” while also “paving the way” for high-speed passenger train travel as fast as 220 miles per hour. The agency also issued a third quarter “status report” on Nov. 21 that updated railroad […]
READ MORELegislation Proposed to Revise Renewable Fuel Standards
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSOn Nov. 21, Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., and Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, released what they dubbed a “discussion draft” of legislation aimed at revising the renewable fuel standard or RFS established more than a decade ago: a bill called the 21st Century Transportation Fuels Act. “I’ve been engaged in the biofuel debate my entire career […]
READ MORENational Academies Report Outlines FHWA Research Path for Revising Truck Size/Weight Limits
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSA new report issued by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on Nov. 28 presents what the group calls a “research roadmap” to address “gaps and uncertainties” in estimating the impacts of proposed changes in truck size and weight limits. [Above photo by Arkansas DOT.] The Federal Highway Administration tasked the National Academies to develop […]
READ MOREPost-Election Transportation Executive Changeups for Alaska, Florida
editor@aashto.org November 30, 2018 0 COMMENTSJohn MacKinnon is being tapped by Alaska’s Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy (D) to be the new transportation commissioner for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, while Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Dew is resigning his position to join the transition team of Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis (R). MacKinnon, currently executive director of the Associated […]
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