AASHTO Urges Congress to Increase Transportation Funding
editor@aashto.org December 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSIn a November 30 letter, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials urged Congressional leadership to provide “as much supplemental general fund revenue as possible” to support the Federal aid highway and transit formula grants and programs as part of full fiscal year 2021 appropriations packages now being negotiated. “We extend our gratitude […]
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FHWA Rulemaking to Offer More Highway Repair Flexibility
editor@aashto.org December 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe Federal Highway Administration issued a notice of proposed rulemaking or NPRM on November 24 to allow state departments of transportation “more flexibility” with design standards to repair the nation’s freeways and interstate highways. [Above photo by the West Virginia DOT.] The rule would allow states to develop design standards for resurfacing, restoration and rehabilitation […]
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The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials issued a joint letter with four other organizations that criticized the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration for developing new rules regarding drone operations without the input of state and local governments. [Above photo by Caltrans.] The November 25 letter expressed “significant concerns” with […]
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The U.S. Department of Transportation issued what it is calling a “first-of-its-kind” Pedestrian Safety Action Plan on November 23 – a plan that will be overseen by the Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. [Above photo via the FHWA.] “This unprecedented comprehensive safety effort is focused solely on protecting pedestrians because crossing a […]
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Fitch Refines its COVID-19 Transportation Recovery Projections
editor@aashto.org December 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the “recovery trajectory” of U.S. airports, toll roads, and ports – prompting Fitch Ratings to refine its recovery assumptions, which the rating agency is detailing in a new report. [Above photo by the Port of Baltimore.] The rating agency said it is implementing “more severe downside […]
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Study: COVID-19 Affecting Public Transit in Different Ways
editor@aashto.org December 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSThe COVID-19 pandemic is having “surprising effects” on demand for public transit in America, according to study recently published by Ohio State University – with an “uneven” decline in transit demand due to the nature of jobs in different cities and who actually used public transportation before the pandemic struck. [Above photo by the Metropolitan […]
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As part of broad restructuring of Amtrak’s leadership, Stephen Gardner (seen above) became president of the national passenger railroad – a new position –effective December 1. [Above photo via Amtrak.] Gardner, who previously served as senior executive vice president and chief operating and commercial officer, joined Amtrak in 2009 after stints with Guilford Rail System, […]
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The Federal Transit Administration is providing a total of $1.37 million in research grant awards to six projects in six states via its Real-Time Asset Management Program – projects aimed at supporting infrastructure innovation in the transit industry. [Above graphic via the FTA.] The FTA said that primary goal of the Real-Time Asset Management Program is to enhance […]
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PennDOT Seeks Public Input on Transportation Funding Solutions
editor@aashto.org December 4, 2020 0 COMMENTSAs part of its ongoing work to explore sustainable transportation options, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback for its PennDOT Pathways Program, which is searching for ways to close an $8.1 billion gap in annual highway and bridge transportation funding to keep the state’s mobility network in good repair. [Above photo by […]
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The State of Maryland and its Purple Line subway construction partners – Meridiam, Star America, and Fluor – reached a $250 million agreement on November 24 that settles all outstanding financial claims and terminates the current litigation between the parties regarding the Purple Line project. [Above photo by the Maryland DOT.] As part of the […]
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