Tag: California: Page 11

Roadbuilding

California to test feasibility of mileage tax

California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation into law that will allow the state to implement a pilot program to test whether charging a road usage fee — or mileage-based tax — could effectively replace fuel taxes as the primary means to fund highways and road projects. The legislation calls for the pilot program to […]

October 15, 2014

Roadbuilding

Two construction workers injured in big-rig accident

Two construction workers were injured in an accident involving a big-rig U.S. Highway 101 in Petaluma, California. The big-rig struck a bundle of steel rods that hit them while they were working on the Petaluma River Bridge construction project. The construction crew was off-loading steel rebar rods on a crane. The far left lane of the highway […]

September 25, 2014

Roadbuilding

California drivers paying the price for deficient roads and bridges

Deficient roads and bridges in California cost each local driver $2,500 annually, and $44 billion statewide, according to a new report released by TRIP, a Washington, DC based national transportation organization. The high cost is due to higher vehicle operating costs, traffic crashes and congestion-related delays. The report finds that 34 percent of major urban roads and highways […]

September 12, 2014

Roadbuilding

Deadliest and safest places to drive in the United States

Road safety is always a concern, regardless of where you live. The good news is road fatalities across the United States are down 23 percent since 2005. The bad news: road fatalities still happen far too often. Michael Sivak, research professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, examined individual fatality rates per distance […]

September 5, 2014

Roadbuilding

Falsework tumbles after sand hauler hits interstate bridge

A sand hauler hit a bridge currently under construction on Interstate 215 in Perris, California, causing lumber and steel beams to collapse onto the freeway. The semi truck driver lost control and struck a concrete divider along the shoulder. A portion of the truck dragged along the barrier, striking the temporary supports of the bridge which […]

July 17, 2014

Roadbuilding

What state has the worst roads and bridges in the country?

Ever wonder what state has the worst roads and bridges in the nation? A new “It’s Time to Rebuild America” report from the White House gives that unfortunate title to Rhode Island. The report claims that 41 percent of Rhode Island’s roads are in poor condition and a whopping 74 percent of the state’s bridges […]

July 16, 2014

Roadbuilding

California high-speed rail moves forward

Work on the first portion of California’s high-speed rail can move forward after earning approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Associated Press reports. The DOT’s decision allows the state to start acquiring land between Fresno and Bakersfield for the 114-mile route. The federal Surface Transportation Board will need to approve the $68 […]

June 30, 2014

Roadbuilding

Move over gas tax: California could move to VMT fee

California is considering switching from a state gas tax to a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) fee, our sister site Overdrive reports. The state’s Senate approved SB 1077 this month. The legislation would require the California Transportation Agency (CTA) to create a voluntary user fee pilot program by 2016, but CTA would not be allowed to collect fees. […]

June 14, 2014

Roadbuilding

1 million+ ‘standing down’ against falls in construction

More than 1 million workers from tens of thousands of businesses are expected to take part in the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) National Fall Safety Stand Down this week. Throughout the week-long Stand-Down, employers and workers will pause during their workday to focus on the hazards of falls and preventing them. Industry and […]

June 4, 2014

Construction Equipment

“GODZILLA ATTACK!” warns hacked highway message board in San Francisco

A highway message board used to alert drivers to backups and road work in San Francisco recently warned drivers of a “Godzilla attack” and urged drivers to “turn back,” NBC Bay Area reports. Despite the timeliness of the messages, the signs were not part of a campaign for the new “Godzilla” movie, wherein a massive lizard descends […]

May 21, 2014

Roadbuilding

Digital highway signs warn San Francisco drivers of ‘Godzilla attack’

A highway message board in San Francisco recently warned drivers of a “Godzilla attack” and urged drivers to “turn back,” NBC Bay Area reports. Despite the timeliness of the messages, the signs were not part of a campaign for the new “Godzilla” movie. According to SFGate, the signs were intended to warn drivers about street […]

May 19, 2014

Roadbuilding

VIDEO, PHOTOS: California’s Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement project begins

The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project in California began Saturday, according to NBC Los Angeles. The project — a joint effort of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Port of Long Beach — will replace the approximately 50-year-old existing bridge. [youtube xADUiMOiA60 nolink] The project’s website notes that the new, cable-style bridge will […]

May 12, 2014