Century Old Rule Stifling Innovation in Transportation Arena, ARTBA Tells House Committee
(WASHINGTON) - A 1916 rule enacted by President Woodrow Wilson’s administration is curbing 21st century transportation innovations that could improve safety and quality on the nation’s major roadways, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) said in Sept. 5 testimony submitted to the House Highways & Transit Subcommittee. At issue is 23 CFR 635.411, a 102-year old federal regulation that prohibits state and local governments from using patented or proprietary products...
APTA Study Says Higher Transit Use Results in Fewer Traffic Deaths
An analysis conducted by the American Public Transportation Association and the Vision Zero Network found that if a metropolitan area can increase the per capita usage of public transit systems – including heavy rail, light rail, bus service, and commuter rail – those communities can cut their traffic fatality rate up to 40 percent. Specifically, that analysis – entitled Public Transit is a Key Strategy in Advancing Vision Zero and Eliminating Traffic Fatalities – shows that me...
FRA Updates PTC Progress, Offers More Funding for PTC Installation
The Federal Railroad Administration said railroads are achieving “significant progress” in their efforts to install positive train control or PTC technology ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline and it has awarded more than $203 million in grant funding for 28 projects in 15 states to further assist with PTC deployment. FRA said in a statement on Aug. 24 that its latest data – current as of June 30 – shows that 15 railroads have installed 100 percent of the required PTC system hardware, while 12 other...
Stantec Awarded Comprehensive Bridge Reconstruction Design Project in Washington
White Pass, WA: Stantec, a global engineering, consulting, and construction firm, is proud to announce that it will be leading the design of the comprehensive bridge replacement project of Wildcat Creek Bridge, on US 12 east of White Pass, WA, for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in collaboration with Graham Contracting. The existing 150-foot bridge crossing was originally built in 1936 and is showing signs of deterioration due to age and normal wear. The project aims...
WSP to Provide Design-Build Project Management Services for the Downtown Redmond Link Extension
SEATTLE, WA — WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, was selected by Sound Transit to perform design-build project management services for the Downtown Redmond Link Extension, a 3.4-mile, double-track elevated and at-grade light rail project in downtown Redmond. WSP’s preconstruction services will include assistance in preparing and reviewing the design-build contract request for proposals. As the final segment of Sound Transit’s East Link light rail corridor,...
Mid-America Transportation Projects Win Big in National Competition
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Eight outstanding transportation projects from five mid-America states were honored today in the fourth and final regional America’s Transportation Awards competition. The projects were recognized for major achievements, including: engaging small businesses through a “first of its kind” training program; replacing bridges to reconnect communities after major flooding; increasing mobility through a $2 billion overhaul of the most popular Amtrak route in the Midwest; and mod...
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $84.5 Million in Grants to Support Advanced Bus Technology Projects Nationwide
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced $84.45 million in grant selections through the Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant program, which funds the deployment of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced propulsion technologies. Fifty-two projects in 41 states will receive a share of the funding. “Communities across America will benefit from these investments in their transportation infrastructure,” said U.S. Tran...
Study Validates Crash-Reduction Benefit of Wildlife Highway Crossing Structures
A study conducted by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and Oregon State University using Wyoming Department of Transportation crash data confirmed that efforts to protect migrating pronghorn deer by installing eight “crossing structures” in combination with 8-foot-high roadway fencing along a nearly 12.5-mile long stretch of U.S. Highway 191 in western Wyoming are reducing collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife. This study – entitled Highways, crossing structures and r...
NSC Data Indicates Traffic Fatalities are ‘Leveling Off’
Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council indicate the recent upward trend in motor vehicle deaths is leveling off, with the number of fatalities in the first six months of 2018 dipping slightly – less than 0.5 percent – compared to the first six months of 2017 even as vehicle miles traveled continues to increase. The group said on Aug. 22 that approximately 18,720 people died on U.S. roadways between January and June this year, compared to NSC’s revised estimate of 18,770 during...
AASHTO Urges Timely Passage of 2019 Transportation Funding
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sent a letter to Senate and House of Representative leaders on Aug. 21 to support the passage of the fiscal year 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development or THUD appropriations bill – emphasizing highway formula funding provided in the House’s version of the THUD bill should be the level used in the final reconciliation between the Senate and House versions of that legislation. “The $4 billion of a...
Video: Crashes Drop Measurably After Rural Road Safety Improvement Project on US 521 in Lancaster County
Redevelopment of Horseshoe Bay Terminal
June Issue 2026
.jpg?width=225)