Hearing Examines How IIJA Could Help Intercity Passenger Rail
editor@aashto.org December 10, 2021 0 COMMENTSA House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on December 9 examined how the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA could help expand intercity passenger rail service. [Above photo by the NCDOT] The hearing – held by the House T&I’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials – elicited analysis from […]
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Letter Urges Passage of Bill Allowing Redirection of ARP Funds
editor@aashto.org December 10, 2021 0 COMMENTSThirty-six groups representing both the public and private sectors – including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials – sent a letter to Congressional leadership on December 6 urging passage of a bill that would allow American Rescue Plan or ARP funds to support natural disaster relief and infrastructure needs. [Above photo by […]
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The U.S. Department of Transportation recently issued a “Request for Comments” or RFC for public feedback on reshaping its strategic plan “goals and priorities” in terms of “transforming the nation’s transportation system” to make it safer, more accessible, more reliable, and multi-modal. Comments are due by December 17, USDOT noted. [Above photo by the USDOT] […]
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The Adventure Cycling Association recently designated U.S. Bicycle Route 1 in Maryland and realigned additional routes in Florida, Michigan, and Ohio – adding nearly 150 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route System or USBRS. [Above photo by the Florida DOT] The addition of USBR 1 in Maryland extends the overall length of the route by […]
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The Federal Highway Administration published a final rule on December 3 that will allow for the installation of broadband cable during road construction projects to avoid the need for further excavation in the future. That final rule originated from a requirement contained within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. [Above photo by WSDOT] The agency […]
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Study: Shifting Snowmelt Trends Could Imperil Infrastructure
editor@aashto.org December 10, 2021 0 COMMENTSResearchers at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) claim that shifts in snowmelt patterns across North America due to climate change and warmer conditions could create “larger flooding vulnerabilities” and possibly lead to costly infrastructure failures. [Above photo by the New Hampshire DOT] Their study, recently published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, looked at previous […]
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AASHTO Seeks More Mileage Designation for Freight Needs
editor@aashto.org December 10, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation on November 29 to suggest more “flexible ways” to boost highway mileage designations in support of the nation’s surface freight transport needs. [Above photo by the Ohio DOT] “States feel that there is insufficient Primary Highway Freight […]
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AASHTO Reemphasizes State DOT Need for Spectrum to FCC
editor@aashto.org December 10, 2021 0 COMMENTSThe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission on November 29 reemphasizing the need by state departments of transportation for interference-free wireless spectrum. The letter is related to AASHTO’s long-running campaign to convince the FCC to revisit its decision in November 2020 to open up the […]
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Plan Set to ‘Re-Energize’ Alaska Marine Highway System
editor@aashto.org December 10, 2021 0 COMMENTSGovernor Mike Dunleavy (R) and Ryan Anderson, commissioner for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, recently unveiled a plan to “re-energize” the Alaska Marine Highway System. [Above photo of the Tustumena ferry by the Alaska DOT&PF] The marine highway serves 35 communities in Alaska and transports goods, vehicles and passengers between communities. The […]
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The Ohio Department of Transportation recently rededicated its Columbus headquarters to honor Jerry Wray, the agency’s only two-time director. [Above photo, left to right: Former Ohio DOT Director Gordon Proctor; Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, former Ohio DOT Director Jerry Wray, current Ohio DOT Director Jack Marchbanks. Photo by Ohio DOT.] Governor Mike DeWine (R) and […]
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