Tag: bridge building: Page 13

Roadbuilding

Transportation Construction Coalition evokes Reagan in ads calling for Congress to fix Highway Trust Fund

Members of the Transportation Construction Commission (TCC) continue their promotional efforts to urge Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund with their latest ad campaign evoking President Ronald Reagan’s philosophy on transportation infrastructure. The group, co-chaired by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association and the Associated General Contractors of America, is running a series […]

June 19, 2015

Roadbuilding

House hearing highlights gridlock over gas tax increase despite universal desire for long-term transportation funding

Members of the House Ways and Means committee agreed in their Wednesday hearing on long-term Highway Trust Fund (HTF) financing hearing that action and solutions are needed as soon as possible, but diverged in their thoughts on the methods of providing that funding. In his opening remarks, committee chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) reiterated the need for […]

June 18, 2015

Roadbuilding

If you don’t want the Stanley Cup delayed, maybe increase highway funding, AED CEO says

Even one of the most storied trophies in all of sports isn’t immune to America’s infrastructure woes. While Chicago Blackhawks players were out on the ice savoring their Stanley Cup win on Monday night, championship-starved fans chanting “We want the cup.” Unfortunately for the fans, the cup wasn’t ready for them. The Stanley Cup and […]

June 18, 2015

Roadbuilding

TRIP: Ohio’s roads and bridges face $11.6 billion shortfall for improvements

The Road Improvement Program’s (TRIP) recent analysis of Ohio’s transportation system finds the state will see an $11.6 billion shortfall in funding for improvements for roads, highways and bridges through 2017. The report indicates 24 percent of the major locally- and state-maintained urban roads are in poor condition, with 41 percent being in a mediocre or […]

June 18, 2015

Roadbuilding

Senate Dems threaten to block all short-term highway plans

Democrats in the U.S. Senate dropped an ultimatum on Republicans Tuesday, threatening to block any short-term extension of highway funding in favor of a long-term solution. The Hill reported Democrats are giving the GOP 45 days to agree on a long-term fix instead of another short-term patch—which would be the 34th short-term extension since 2008. “We […]

June 17, 2015

Roadbuilding

Rhode Island legislators propose $60 million bridge restoration efforts from current funding

The Rhode Island House Republican Caucus proposed a fiscal year 2016 budget amendment, H5900 Substitute A, to dedicate $60 million in the current budget for bridge restoration as an alternative to tolls on bridges in the state. “We recognize that our bridges need immediate first aid,” Minority Leader Brian Newberry said in a statement. “As […]

June 17, 2015

Roadbuilding

FHWA provides grants for Wisconsin, New Hampshire bridge projects

Two state departments of transportation will receive $1.03 million in grants to “speed deployment of innovative technologies” as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration program. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will receive $355,000 to use in creating self-diagnosing, self-reporting bridge monitoring technology to be used on the Memorial Bridge […]

June 17, 2015

Roadbuilding

Pelosi hints at approval for trade package if Republicans support long-term transportation funding

The trade adjustment assistance (TAA) bill shot down by members of the House last week might get support from Democrats if Republicans were to get behind bigger transportation funding efforts, according to Nancy Pelosi (D-California). The Hill reported the House Minority Leader feels the failure of the TAA, with a vote of 126-302, might not […]

June 16, 2015

Roadbuilding

Louisiana legislature passes 2 bills to boost road funding

The Louisiana Senate passed two bills last week to boost road funding by about $100 million per year. The New Orleans Advocate reported Senate Bills 122 and 221 passed in the Senate June 9 by the overwhelming 39-9 and 35-1, respectively. The bills, sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Robert Adley (R-Adley), passed in the state […]

June 16, 2015

Roadbuilding

House Ways & Means to “explore new ideas” for long-term financing of Highway Trust Fund

The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing June 17 to discuss long-term financing for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), with the plan to “explore the feasibility of various ideas” for sustainable solutions. “The roads and bridges that keep our economy moving rely on a highly unsustainable financing system,” Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) […]

June 15, 2015

Roadbuilding

Awaiting a budget, Illinois DOT cuts $100+ million in road projects

The Illinois Department of Transportation had to cut $103 million in road projects from a contract letting June 12 because the state still doesn’t have a budget for FY 2016. IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn had to pull seven projects planned for this year, the most expensive being a $48 million project in Rock Island County. A […]

June 15, 2015

Roadbuilding

Iowa Transportation Commission approves state transportation improvement program with $3.2 billion for highways

The Iowa Transportation Commission (ITC) has signed off on the fiscal year 2016-2020 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program, which includes a forecast of $3.2 billion in highway right of way and construction projects. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) proposed the plan in early May. “The Commission and Iowa DOT continue to recognize the critical importance […]

June 15, 2015