Gov. Ricketts Launches New Nebraska DOT
Inaugurating both a newly named Nebraska Department of Transportation and a new organizational structure, Gov. Pete Ricketts and NDOT Director Kyle Schneweis unveiled the department's new name and logo. The new state DOT merged what had been the Department of Roads and the Department of Aeronautics as of July 1, with Aeronautics now a division of the DOT. Ricketts' announcement said the legislation to combine those agencies was one of his top priorities during the 2017 legislative session...
Volvo Jolts Auto Industry With Plan to Make Only All-Electrics, Hybrids as of 2019
Sweden-based Volvo Cars announced that starting in 2019 it will only manufacture vehicles that are either all-electric or hybrids, making it the first mainstream automaker to phase out models that operate just with traditional gasoline- or diesel-powered internal combustion engines. That will also make it the first among traditional automakers to offer a line that would provide little revenue into the U.S. Highway Trust Fund, as it is currently designed. And such developments could add to pre...
FRA Releases Environmental Review for Hudson Tunnel Project
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement review (DEIS) for the Hudson Tunnel Project completing the review in 14 months from the Federal Register Notice of Initiation. The DEIS identifies the project’s preferred alternative, which includes constructing a new tunnel, refurbishing the existing ones and preserving the current functionality of the Northeast Corridor’s (NEC) Hudson River rail cr...
Back to the Nest: Falcons Return to Michigan Bridges
Peregrine falcons have returned to the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock again this year – the same nesting spot, but this year with a choice between new and familiar nests. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) installed two nest boxes at the Lift Bridge in 2012 -- one each on the north and south bridge towers. A pair of falcons discovered the nesting site the next spring and has raised a total of 12 chicks there. But, in recent years, the Michigan Department o...
USDOT Re-Solicits for Most 2017 FAST Act Grant Funds, Combines With 2018 Round
In an overhaul of the infrastructure grant program authorized by the five-year Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it will take new applications over the next four months for about $710 million in 2017 grants, and combine those with the 2018 round for what it estimates will add up to $1.56 billion in all. The overhaul includes new application criteria, with a strong emphasis on maximizing the use of federal grant money to draw in other funds...
As Motorists Hit the Road for the 4th of July, a Video Series Focuses on Funding
WASHINGTON – This Fourth of July holiday millions of motorists will use America’s multimodal network of highways, bridges, bike trails and railways to make trips to vacation destinations across the country. Keeping the nation’s vast surface transportation network operating safely and efficiently requires a major investment. In a three-part special report series titled, “Another Way to Pay,” AASHTO Transportation TV examines the Road Usage Charge (RUC), a mileage-based fee for all road users bein...
Impres Performs First Case Studies in California
Case studies of the infrastructure projects California High Speed Rail and San Francisco AirTrain Extension have recently been completed in the research project Impres. Interviews along the projects’ value chains have provided valuable input and examples for Impres’ goal of creating guidelines for carbon management through procurement requirements in infrastructure projects. Stefan Uppenberg, sustainability consultant at WSP Group and project manager for the Impres project, and Daniel Balian,...
Connected Vehicle Pilot Deployment Program: Saving Lives through Connectivity
As our communities become more connected, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) play an important central role in our cities, towns, suburbs, and rural communities, between regions and across state lines. Transportation system managers can best serve vital needs by applying cohesive ITS technology and effectively “connecting the dots” of information from various factors that affect transportation operations, such as weather, congestion, accidents, and unanticipated emergencies. A flagship...
Five Western States Receive Top Honors in National Competition
JUNEAU, AK. – State department of transportation projects that restored essential highways following devastating landslides and improved safety for motorists and wildlife are among the winners in the western regional America’s Transportation Awards competition. Celebrating its 10th year, the competition attracted 30 project nominations from 12 western states. Eight projects from five of those states are today receiving top awards. “Every project nominated in this competition represents the ha...
House, Senate Committees Take Up FAA Bills
Both the House and Senate authorizing committees have new bills to consider that would reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration and retain many current programs including the Essential Air Service program that subsidizes commercial air travel for smaller, rural airports. That means they could mark up legislation in committee before Congress breaks for a July recess, so that the full chambers would be positioned to vote on bills and perhaps negotiate any differences before current FAA a...
Video: Crashes Drop Measurably After Rural Road Safety Improvement Project on US 521 in Lancaster County
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June Issue 2026
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