Tag: highway: Page 15

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

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

Roadbuilding

Michigan House passes $1.2 billion road package

Lawmakers in the Michigan House of Representatives narrowly passed a 12-bill package to provide $1.16 billion for infrastructure work. The funds from the package largely come from existing tax revenue and by eliminating a tax break for low income families, the Detroit News reported. About $700,000 million of the funds would come from earmarking some of […]

June 15, 2015

Roadbuilding

Lee again files bill to get rid of the federal gas tax

As the future of federal transportation funding remains up in the air, two Republican lawmakers have filed a bill that would take the federal government out of the road business permanently. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Florida) filed a bill that would gradually get rid of the federal gas tax used to support the Highway […]

June 12, 2015

Roadbuilding

Kansas DOT hosts transportation, construction career camp for high school girls

The Kansas Department of Transportation hosted a camp recently to educate teenage girls on career opportunities in transportation and construction. According to WIBW, KDOT hosted 28 high school girls to the MAGIC summer camp last week to teach them about alternative careers in the transportation industry they may have never considered before in fields like […]

June 12, 2015

Roadbuilding

Iowa DOT uses Native American archeological site to teach historical preservation at work sites

A proposed Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) project involving bridge replacement, intersection updates and overflow culvert is being used in educational efforts to impress upon fifth and sixth graders the importance of preservation of historical artifacts found at work sites. The project, located on U.S. 69 near Belmond, is near the outdoor classroom of […]

June 12, 2015

Roadbuilding

ARTBA calls for Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Award nominations

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) seeks nominees for an award to “recognize outstanding public and private sector programs that are helping reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities” in road work zones. ARTBA’s Transportation Development Foundation is looking to recognize nominees in three categories for its 2015 Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Awards. The […]

June 12, 2015

Roadbuilding

While others mull drones, Colorado DOT tests blimps for monitoring highway conditions

The Colorado Department of Transportation might get accused of having its head in the clouds with a new test it’s trying out this week. Well, the department is at least trying to get its eyes up there. CDOT’s testing out a helium-filled blimp this week to monitor traffic, according to the Denver Business Journal. RELATED […]

June 11, 2015

Roadbuilding

House passes $55 billion spending bill for transportation and housing

The House of Representatives narrowly passed a spending bill Tuesday night to fund transportation and housing projects. The $55.3 billion bill passed 216-210, according to a report from The Hill. All House Republicans but 31 voted for the bill, while only three Democrats voted in favor. Last week, President Barack Obama threatened to veto the bill if […]

June 11, 2015

Roadbuilding

Nevada governor pushes for NDOT officials to lead the self-driving vehicle revolution

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval wants his state to be at the forefront of the potential autonomous vehicle revolution. Sandoval said June 8 Nevada Department of Transportation officials should add support for self-driving cars into the state’s $550+ million highway project in Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Sun reported. He added he hopes the state can play […]

June 10, 2015