ACEC Research Institute Panel Pushes for New Federal Council to Coordinate Infrastructure Policies and Funding
Washington, D.C. – A panel of national infrastructure funding experts pressed for establishment of a new federal infrastructure planning council that could coordinate multiple agency policies and funding programs improve federal response to the nation’s infrastructure needs. Panelists applauded new strategies outlined in the “America’s New Playbook for Infrastructure” developed by the non-profit Accelerator for America in collaboration with the new National Infrastructure Partnership, which...
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $8.5 Million in Grant Awards to 25 Projects That Use Transit to Help Disadvantaged Communities
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced 25 projects in 17 states will receive a share of approximately $8.5 million in funding through the Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) program to use transit systems as a springboard to create better lives for people in rural communities and areas experiencing long-term economic distress. "This $8.5 million federal investment in the transportation systems of economically distres...
Congress Extends FEMA Flood Mapping, Highway Bill, Through September 30, 2021
Fairfax, VA – Two of the most important geospatial programs in the Federal government were extended for a full year by the Continuing Appropriations bill enacted this week. Authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which produces Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act or "FAST Act", commonly known as the Highway bill, were both slated to expire on September 30, 2020. Both progra...
CR Secures Federal Funding, Extends FAST Act For One Year
President Trump signed a continuing resolution or CR that funds federal government programs on October 1 – the beginning of fiscal year 2021 – through December 11 and extends current surface transportation funding reauthorization after it cleared the Senate late on September 30 by a vote of 84 to 10. The House passed its CR, which included a one-year extension of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation or FAST Act, on September 22 by a vote of 359 to 57, with one member vo...
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $460,000 for Emergency Repairs to Infrastructure Destroyed by Wildfires in Washington State
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $460,000 in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds to help the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) repair damages from recent wildfires. This funding will help the state address urgent repair needs and restore important transportation links for residents. Washington experienced hot and dry weather conditions leading to multiple ongoing...
Study: State DOTs Could Gain Revenue From Solar Arrays
The Ray – a corporate venture devoted to roadway technology testing – and the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas-Austin recently released a study that indicates state departments of transportation could generate roughly $4 billion in “economic value” by establishing solar energy arrays in highway rights-of-way (ROW) locations. [Above photo by the Federal Highway Administration.] According to the Webber Energy Group’s analysis, most states are home to more than 200 miles of inte...
USDOT Announces $320.6 Million for Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected 50 projects in 29 states to receive competitive grant funding under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The projects selected include a wide variety of railroad investments that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of freight and intercity passenger service. “This $320.6 million federal investment will upgrade U.S....
More U.S. Engineering Firms See Improved Finances Since COVID, But Uncertainty Grows for Future Markets, New ACEC Business Impact Survey Show
Washington, D.C. – Despite the challenging economy, an increasing majority of U.S. engineering firm leaders (68%) say their firm’s finances have improved or at least remained the same since COVID-19 paralyzed the marketplace in March—a significant increase over the 58% who affirmed the same in May, according to the latest ACEC Research Institute Business Impact Survey. “Six months into the pandemic and uncertainty is still the watchword for the engineering industry,” said ACEC Research Insti...
Help students stay in school during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond
CHICAGO - The financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic have made it much harder for students to realize their dreams. Learning resource provider OneClass surveyed more than 10,000 students this spring and found some disturbing trends: 56% of respondents said they can no longer afford tuition. 49% of respondents said they have to find new financing. 7% said they are switching gears, leaving school to try something else. “Student need was high before the pandemic and is...
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $5 Million in Emergency Relief for Roads and Bridges Damaged by Wildfires in Oregon
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $5 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds to help the Oregon Department of Transportation repair infrastructure damage caused by wildfires. “We hope this federal support will help Oregon communities recover more quickly from the devastating wildfires,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. Starting September 7, strong winds...
Video: Crashes Drop Measurably After Rural Road Safety Improvement Project on US 521 in Lancaster County
AdventHealth Weaverville Hospital
June Issue 2026
.jpg?width=225)