Infrastructure Modernization is Key to Economic Success

• The Department of Transportation projects that, compared to tonnages recorded in 2001, total freight moved through U.S. ports would increase by more than 50 percent by 2020 and the volume of international container traffic will more than double. This increasingly will require a major investment in infrastructure and modernization at the nation’s ports.
• To modernize their facilities, it is estimated that ports will require $8.6 billion by 2010 for infrastructure investments. Why is this important? U.S. ports contribute significant benefits to local and regional economies, including generating business development and job opportunities. Commercial port activities create more than 15 million American jobs, including nearly 12 million who are employed in exporter/importer-related businesses and support industries throughout the U.S. Business activities related to waterborne commerce contributed approximately $3.15 trillion overall to the U.S. economy. And those same businesses paid nearly $212.5 billion in federal, state and local taxes.
• And how much of the Obama Recovery Act has been dedicated by Congress to upgrade port facilities? About $720 million, to modernize some ports that were built prior to World War II. That’s just not going to cut it!
• Investing in Interstate infrastructure
• Balance the need for international shipping against interstate shipping, and you see how much the U.S. economy depends on transportation. According to a recent study by the RAND corporation, the long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns.
• The U.S. freight transportation system moves about $40 billion worth of goods each day, with delays and uncertainty in the performance of the system translating into higher prices for consumers and reduced productivity. The study concludes that despite the global financial crisis, experts continue to estimate that there will be increased demand for freight transportation in the future, even as the capacity of the nation's highways, port and railroads are nearing their limits in key urban areas and transportation corridors.
• What’s the solution? The Obama administration has proposed an ambitious Infrastructure program to put Americans to work, but many people are skeptical that we’ll be able to match shovel-ready jobs with shovel-ready workers.
• Ignoring the infrastructure is like ignoring the nation’s future economic growth. To succeed and maintain our leadership, both require the investment of capital and brains.

Mar 13, 2010 Trinity River Vision officials confident project can proceed despite earmark moratorium (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Trinity River Vision officials are confident that the $909 million flood-control and economic-development project will remain on schedule despite the House Republican Conference's pledge to place a one-year moratorium on earmarks. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, has said she will honor the...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 OPINION (Los Angeles Times) The senator said she and LaHood would be working together to obtain immediate funding for both. That project would benefit a fraction of the city's 4 million residents. If the mayor's 30/10 proposal is adopted, the entire county's 10 million people will enjoy the benefits of all the projects...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Congressional ban on earmarks could hurt local firms, projects (San Bernardino County Sun) The initiative was put into a defense appropriations bill as a Congressional initiative.    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Construction industry still suffering (Las Vegas Review-Journal) Permit data can't go below zero, right? Only 13 percent of companies surveyed plan to hire more workers from April to June, while 19 percent expect to reduce their payrolls. Industries planning to reduce staffs include construction, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail trade,...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Cuts weaken road projects' prospects (The Ottawa Herald) That project will be let for bids in April and is expected to cost $953,750, paid by the state. Other remaining projects include reconstruction on Montana Road, which is expected to be let for bids in May. The total cost of the project is about $778,000, with $194,500 to be paid by the county...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Columbia crossing sponsors drive toward agreement (The Columbian) ...would replace two existing three-lane drawbridges over the Columbia, improve four miles of freeway, and extend Portland's light rail system into downtown Vancouver. Planners anticipate needing at least $400 million in federal highway funding for the project, along with $750 million to build...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Planners: Don't clog new I-5 crossing (The Columbian) ...-- Transportation planners don't want to make a multibillion-dollar repair to a critical corridor for heavy trucks, only to have it quickly clogged by commuters. That's why a new Columbia River Crossing should include a variety of measures designed to entice motorists to use buses, vanpools...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Council candidates already campaigning (Tampa Tribune) Candidates for council districts 1, 2 and 3 run citywide. The one-term incumbent said he has been working hard to improve access to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and make it safer.    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 EDITORIAL: Short takes (The Roanoke Times) Just as soon as the federal government OKs the sale of offshore leases for exploration that could lead, eventually, to drilling. Washington appears to be in no hurry on the lease sales. If Washington manages to pass health reform, though, the sponsor of the state legislation, Del.    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 California Coastal Commission delays Arana Gulch vote, asks city to study another option (Santa Cruz Sentinel) SANTA CRUZ -- After losing two court rulings in as many years, opponents of the city's plan to pave dual paths through Arana Gulch won a reprieve from the California Coastal Commission on Thursday. The panel called for a deeper look at a substitute proposal that would avoid the endangered...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 Expect feds to give $400 million for new I-5 bridge, officials told (The Oregonian) ...for light rail. In addition to the $400 million described today, Crossing officials anticipate between $750 million to $890 million from the federal government for light rail. The remaining bridge costs are expected to be shared by Oregon and Washington through undetermined sources and by...    more...  

Mar 13, 2010 $10 vehicle fee in the mix as fix for roads and transit (Contra Costa Times) ...transportation projects, and stepping up to pay for them." In Santa Clara County, a committee of the Transportation Authority recommended Wednesday that the full authority consider a November ballot measure. A poll of 900 Marin County voters found 65 percent in support of a $10 per auto fee,...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Iorio to focus on light rail in last year as Tampa mayor (St. Petersburg Times) The video talked about federal stimulus dollars that will help pay for, among other things, a downtown development with affordable housing, and a road connecting Interstate 4 to the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway.    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Governor details borrowing plan (Kennebec Journal) If approved by lawmakers, a transportation question would also be added. Other questions would be rewritten to reflect the new projects, Baldacci said. Baldacci's announcement comes a week after Democrats in the Legislature proposed a $99 million bond package. Both proposals will now go to the...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Houston Chronicle Rick Casey column (Houston Chronicle) Transit is about moving people who have no other option, first and foremost." That is the right priority. In the early 1990s, cost overruns in Los Angeles's construction of light rail and a subway (yes, LA has a subway) led to cutbacks in bus service in poor parts of town. History is clear that...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 New study the first step toward Hempstead rail line (Houston Chronicle) Ellis believes it will be. The working idea is that commuter trains would use the rail by day and freight would flow at night.    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Greenville Avenue gearing up for St. Patrick's party (The Dallas Morning News) Patrick's Day celebration. At the same time, the St. Then, the party debris is swept into the street and city street sweepers put a polish on the cleanup. The party is over. Pat's outfit but said "everyone becomes an Irishman." Thousands of people will toast the Irish with food, drink and...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Counties eye ballot measures to raise auto registration fee for transportation funding (Contra Costa Times) ... In Santa Clara County, a committee of the Transportation Authority recommended Wednesday that the full authority consider a November ballot measure. A poll of 900 Marin County voters found 65 percent in support of a $10 per auto fee, according to the Marin County Transportation Authority,...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Border toll proposal calls for camera system (The Stamford Advocate) ...tolling at major highways like I-95 and the Merritt Parkway would have significant negative impacts by diverting traffic into local neighborhoods. Lapp said the state's approach to tolling should emphasize reducing congestion by placing electronic boothless tolls on parts of I-95 and the...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Beach's proposed $40M deal for rail corridor could cost more (The Virginian-Pilot) The remaining $5 million comes from utility easement Norfolk Southern would retain on the land.    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Mayors vow to work together on region's rail projects (The Virginian-Pilot) Regent University Executive Leadership S eries forum. Norfolk's light-rail project ultimately will benefit the rest of the region, Portsmouth Mayor James Holley said, and Virginia Beach Mayor William Sessoms said the same would be true for his city. But, Sessoms said, "It won't happen...    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 Beach's proposed $40M deal to buy old rail corridor could cost more (The Virginian-Pilot) The remaining $5 million comes from utility easement Norfolk Southern would retain on the land.    more...  

Mar 12, 2010 First look inside Sacramento arena task force proposal (The Sacramento Bee) It involves selling the Cal Expo site for development and using money from there to help finance an arena in the downtown railyard. The report says that plan wouldn't generate much economic development citywide. Such an approach would allow The Kamilos Group to engage the strength of the Thomas...    more...  

Mar 11, 2010 Road bill would quickly create construction jobs (Las Vegas Review-Journal) State legislators were told during the special session that the county is near the $1.7 billion. The Senate bill would lift the expiration criteria. The approval of the Senate bill would enable the transportation commission to put additional projects out to bid. "This is not a new tax.    more...  

Mar 11, 2010 St. Patricks Day festivities return to Greenville Avenue (The Dallas Morning News) Patrick's Day celebration. At the same time, the St. Then, the party debris is swept into the street and city street sweepers put a polish on the cleanup. The party is over. Pat's outfit but said "everyone becomes an Irishman." Thousands of people will toast the Irish with food, drink and...    more...  

Mar 11, 2010 KDOT outlines study on expanding rail service (Associated Press Online) Mark Parkinson for his signature. Legislators are beginning discussions about a new comprehensive transportation program to replace the one that expired in 2009.    more...  

Mar 11, 2010 Baldacci outlines bond plan (Bangor Daily News) Kevin Miller Mar. 11, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- AUGUSTA, Maine -- Gov.    more...  

Mar 11, 2010 Assembly eyes cuts in state transportation aid to Baltimore (The Baltimore Sun) Nathaniel J. McFadden, a Baltimore Democrat on the Budget and Taxation Committee. "It didn't come up in the past. Baltimore City is no different from any other jurisdiction." No decision has been made, and lawmakers tend to view the legislative analyses as suggestions. Susan L. M. Aumann, a...    more...  

Mar 11, 2010 House ends its corporate earmarks (The Boston Globe) It could not be immediately determined yesterday how many of those earmarks went to companies. The House Ethics Committee recently investigated seven congressional members for providing millions of dollars in earmarks to companies that hired lobbyists and donated large sums to their campaigns.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Auditors question charges by Munster schools (The Times) We don't believe the bus rider fee is an authorized charge. Many other school districts also charge students for parking permits. Their fee ranges from $8 to $10. Sopko also said Munster buses every student who wants transportation, even those who live within a mile of school.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Airport link crucial to high-speed rail plan for Tampa, Rep. Mica says (St. Petersburg Times) ...the Tampa airport should have a high-speed rail station. But he did note that the Orlando airport will have a high-speed rail stop, and planners there are considering coupling it with a light rail line between the airport and convention center. Tampa's initial plans call for a light rail...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 MoDOT seeks to save $200M over 5 years (Associated Press Online) In February, the agency said it was canceling a bid opening for $60 million worth of road and bridge projects.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 County paves way for road money (Intelligencer Journal/ Lancaster New Era) The bridge carries Route 324 over the Pequea Creek between Conestoga and Martic townships, $1.075 million. --Leacock Road bridge rehabilitation.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 State mulls changes so TA light rail can proceed (Globes) Following that announcement, MTS hired the services of CPA Yitzhak Soari to represent it in contacts with the state.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Kent says it's the best site for new FAA headquarters (Seattle Post Intelligencer) It most recently was involved in the renovation of the Seattle Courthouse, in addition to its award-winning work on the ShoWare Center.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Bellevue approves funding for work on new street in Bel-Red area? (Seattle Post Intelligencer) ...and parks.The Northeast 15th Street work is also part of a larger plan called the Mobility and Infrastructure Initiative. Along with improvements on Northeast Fourth Street, Northeast Sixth Street, 120th and 124th avenues Northeast, the work is designed to accommodate recent growth downtown...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Stimulus funds target infrastructure (The San Diego Union-Tribune) Of those, 19 projects worth $169.1 million are in four of five San Diego's congressional districts.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Finally, a rail line? Transportation leaders will vote May 6 whether to buy 32 miles of track (Santa Cruz Sentinel) While she declined to predict her vote, Pirie said, "I've been supportive of the effort.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Governor, lawmakers come to terms on budget, cigarette tax (Standard-Examiner) Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. Herbert had said he did not want new taxes and wanted to maintain funding for public education.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 TRANSPORTATION (Houston Chronicle) The creation of a Galveston County urban and rural transit district would potentially pull together all 13 municipalities in the county, providing a single voice to negotiate with Houston Metro, the federal government and other entities, Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough said. "Certainly,...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 State Pitches New $352 Million UConn Health Center Plan As 'Partnership' (The Hartford Courant) Cato Laurencin, dean of UConn's School of Medicine and the university's vice president for health affairs, said having a rejuvenated hospital would help attract doctors and research funding. Yale Cancer Center is now the only program in the state with that designation, which comes from the...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Leaning toward light rail system (Tampa Tribune) The sad part is all we have is roads. We barely have a functioning bus system. At some point we have to do something.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Berger touts projects (The Lima News) ...reservoirs to railroad overpasses, the city has 14 projects in the works for 2010, said Public Works Director Howard Elstro. That includes the largest stimulus transportation project in the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 1, the Vine Street overpass. "When the project is done, I...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Lincoln Street widening to get public review Thursday (Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)) Burnham said 75 percent of those costs are coming from federal highway funds and 20 percent is being paid by the city. The state Department of Transportation is paying the rest. Work is scheduled to begin in July, but Burnham said that could change. Plans call for a new gravel road base, better...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Aztec eyes long-term fixes to city streets (The Farmington Daily Times) ...of Transportation for funding consideration from the Local Government Road Fund Highway Co-Op program, which could help the city finance larger repairs. Brendan Giusti: bgiusti@daily-times.com PROJECTS SLATED FOR 2010 --Church Avenue, from Chaco Street to Chuska Street --Sabena Street,...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Republicans claim 'political retribution' on road plan (Lexington Herald-Leader) ...pass House Bill 292. Republican lawmakers complained during a debate that many road and bridge projects in their districts were yanked from the plan, particularly those involving federal stimulus funds, as punishment for their voting against the Democratic leadership's $371 million...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 No backup plan if I-80 tolls rejected (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Biehler warned. People often ask if the state has a backup plan to generate transportation funding if the I-80 tolls aren't approved by the Federal Highway Administration, said Rep. Joe Markosek, D-Monroeville, head of the state House Transportation Committee. "There is no plan B," Mr. Markosek...    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Mica (The Bradenton Herald) Vern Buchanan, a Sarasota Republican who also sits on the committee.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 Critics blast Metro's $2.6 billion bond plan (Houston Chronicle) In June 2009, Metro also issued $200 million in debt from the $640 million pool. The East End Line is being paid for entirely with Metro funds.    more...  

Mar 10, 2010 EDITORIAL: Eye on the prize (Houston Chronicle) Wilson and Metro Chairman David Wolff say poor job performance, including mismanagement of subordinates, led to an investigation and her termination. They released a report by the Metro employee advocacy officer calling for Higgins' firing more than a month before Kelley filed his open records...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Board bets on Rocky Reach trail extension (The Wenatchee World) Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council board has named the Rocky Reach trail extension as its No. 1 pick to compete statewide for federal money. The state Department of Transportation allocated $3 million for an enhancement, or non-traditional highway project, from the Wenatchee Valley, said...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Light-rail alignments divide community (The Columbian) Light rail would run from downtown Portland to Clark College, bringing northbound traffic up Broadway Street and southbound down Washington Street, before putting both eastbound and westbound trains on either McLoughlin Boulevard or 17th Street. The east-west alignment has left professional...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Transportation issues highlight New Tampa political forum (Tampa Tribune) Candidates for council districts 1, 2 and 3 run citywide.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Highway projects in Kansas counties hit by budget cuts (The Joplin Globe) Savings: $384,000. -- Overlay of nearly six miles of Kansas 47 east from the city limits of Girard to U.S. Highway 69. Savings: $643,000. -- Overlay of 12.5 miles of Kansas 47 from the Neosho-Crawford county line east to the city limits of Girard. Savings: $751,000. -- Overlay of 4.85 miles of...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 ConnDOT 'balances' spending (The Hour) ...transportation plans. This is the second annual report released by TSTC regarding ConnDOT spending. "For the first time since 2002, ConnDOT is spending more on maintenance and repair of its existing road and bridge infrastructure than it is spending on highway expansion projects," Slevin...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Keokuk mulls $500,000 offer for railroad bridge (The Hawk Eye) It gets us started in Keokuk, and it gives us a viable tenant in the Keokuk Junction. Neither the city nor Pacific Rim would be able to touch the $3.2 million for 10 years, but the interest from the account would be used for bridge upkeep. At the end of the 10 years the $3.2 million would revert...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Panel OKs $3.4 billion highway budget (Lexington Herald-Leader) Bob DeWeese, R-Louisville, asked the committee to adjourn for a few hours to give members more time to digest the legislation and the changes the House had made to Beshear's proposal. Beshear's proposal included about $101 million for actual construction. The remaining money was for buying land,...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 High Five project to connect Dallas trails to northern neighbors (The Dallas Morning News) ...north or south. But thanks to a $4.2 million project, the High Five's days as a trail obstacle are about to end. Two path sections under the High Five, connecting the Cottonwood Trail, are scheduled to open in May, weather permitting. "For anyone wanting to travel by bike or walking long...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Asotin County trying to find Ten Mile Bridge project funds (Lewiston Morning Tribune) His strategy calls for utilizing funds from the county's surface transportation program. Washington allocates annual federal funds to each county based on a formula.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 18th Avenue to get new look: Roundabouts, Repaving (The Olympian) The house would be too close to one of the planned roundabouts.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Panel OKs $3.4 billion highway budget: Republicans complain about projects left out of bill (Lexington Herald-Leader) Bob DeWeese, R-Louisville, asked the committee adjourn for a few hours to give members more time to digest the legislation and the changes the House had made to Beshear's proposal. Beshear's proposal included about $101 million for actual construction. The remaining money was for buying land,...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 EDITORIAL (Bangor Daily News) Susan Collins asked U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood about the railroad during a Senate hearing. MMA is earning about $20,000 on these lines. The only way to earn more is to get more companies shipping more freight on these lines.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Toll option may get Southern route built in Horry County (The Sun News) Barbee said the DOT has received a little more than $200,000 to start the environmental impact study, but several million is still needed to complete that process.    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Smog-cutting status reviewed (The Charlotte Observer) ...impact emissions. Steinman said no rapid transit project or highway has any significant impact on the city meeting its pollution goals. He said cars that emit fewer smog-producing pollutants will be responsible for the area's ozone reductions -- not a single transit project or highway. The...    more...  

Mar 9, 2010 Mica (Tampa Tribune) Send me any of the study dollars (for transit connections) you need over six years. Among insights Mica offered: -- Consider using joint corridors for different types of trains.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 U.S. 41 construction plans set (The Post-Crescent) ...highway project ever undertaken in northeast Wisconsin. The work in Winnebago County will cost $500 million. It will widen the highway from four to six or eight lanes and include improvements to seven interchanges: Breezewood, State 76, U.S. 45, State 21, Ninth Avenue, State 44 and State 26....    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 High-speed rail still has many challenges to overcome, supporters say (St. Petersburg Times) However, even Siemens and other possible contractors are skeptical of those numbers. The national political mood provides another "cloud," consultants told the audience. As gas prices dipped, so did interest in using rail instead of planes or cars, polling showed.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Orlando conference identifies high-speed rail's success factors (The Ledger) Kehs of Hill and Knowlton, a public relations company that has been hired by the US High Speed Rail Association. Although the project has a lot of things going for it, Kehs said, very little is really known about the public's support. Superficially there appears to be support, but one of the...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 BRIEF: Public can offer opinions about proposed Sacramento RT cuts today (The Sacramento Bee) Service reductions would take effect June 20. Officials are not making recommendations until the public and the RT board are heard.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Jobs bill passes House (The Evening News and The Tribune) Larry Mishel, president of the Economic Policy Institute. Meanwhile, Hill pointed to the announcement this week of major rural Internet connection project in Southern Indiana as a sign stimulus dollars are spurring the economy. Sunman Telecommunications, Inc. received stimulus money to...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Greenville board pushes to improve Route 15 (Bangor Daily News) The form letter asked for the board's signatures to allow a contractor to bring in any equipment, if needed, that might be overweight on local road standards.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Regional group looking at consulting costs (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Verbanac, a former aide to the late Sen. Peduto said the SPC doesn't need anyone in Mr. Verbanac said he is not a lobbyist, SPC is not allowed to lobby, and Mr.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 City officials (Connecticut Post) He completed the Birmingham Condominiums in the former Birmingham Corset factory on the corner of Bridge and Canal streets just before the recession hit.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Cities not on track with Calif high-speed rail (Associated Press Online) As envisioned, the segment would carry passengers from Anaheim north to downtown Los Angeles in 20 minutes -- a trip that usually take more than an hour in freeway traffic. In 2008, state voters approved the sale of $10 billion in bonds to help build the 800-mile system.    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Connecticut DOT To Pitch $50 Million Resurfacing Project, Plus Bridge Repairs (The Hartford Courant) Hartford and West Hartford that will be resurfaced runs from Mayflower Street to Sigourney Street. The three longest stretches scheduled for repair are 8.5 miles on Route 197 in Thompson, about 7.6 miles on Route 9 near Deep River and about 7 miles of I-95 in the Greenwich area. Other roads on...    more...  

Mar 8, 2010 Recent $237,000 In Transportation Funding Part Of A $152 Million Award (The Hartford Courant) ...state legislator on Friday called the grant "disappointing and disheartening," and The Courant on Saturday described the award as part of a competitive program. But on Saturday, state Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie called the news reports "misleading," and praised the state's record...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Las Vegas Review-Journal Adrienne Packer column: ROAD WARRIOR (Las Vegas Review-Journal) Bus stops are described as ticket stations. We're accustomed to pretty much faux-everything in Las Vegas. And with this economy, they have more flexibility with ACE than other cities dabbling with light rail. The Phoenix light-rail system cost about $70 million per mile; in Seattle it was $100...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 CITturnergaag (Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)) Up next: AVCOG will submit the project request to MDOT. Recycling center The issue: New equipment is needed for the recycling center. The scoop: The board reviewed proposals for increasing the efficiency of the center. Up next: Containers will be rearranged, and the old compactor used to pack...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 New bus line sees dismal ridership (The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)) The Hemphills had plenty of room to stretch. They were the only passengers. Since the Hemphills started riding the 78X Celanese Express, they've gotten used to having the 5:40 p.m. bus to themselves. Felicia takes the bus into Charlotte, where her two children get off and go to private school.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Impact-fee suspension a boon to projects in the works (The Orlando Sentinel) Lalbahadur Nagabhairu for a surgical center in Tavares. --$55,688.74 owed by Dr. Michael Habashy for a new medical office in Lady Lake. --$13,653.50 owed by Dr.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 EDITORIAL: Connect the rail lines (The Orlando Sentinel) And they'd be able to connect to high-speed rail at the airport or south of Sand Lake Road. It would add a sixth, high-speed rail stop. Too many stops defeat the whole point of "high-speed." What's not an option is failing to connect SunRail and high-speed rail.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 QandA (The Macon Telegraph) Eighty-five percent of it went to supplant state salaries. But you in the House voted for Medicare Part D, all of the war supplemental funding bills, and both Bush tax cuts. I offered a lot of amendments when we did the markup in the Russell (Senate Office) Building.    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 Western Pennsylvania counting on census for crucial funding (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) In 2000, about 72 percent of the population mailed back census forms. Results factor greatly into how $400 billion in federal funding is divvied for schools, hospitals and transportation projects. It is key in apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and redistricting state...    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 EDITORIAL: Note to critics: Roads, freeways subsidized, too (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) The Milwaukee-Madison connection has intrinsic value, but it will have more value as part of a route that eventually links Chicago to the Twin Cities and points in between. Service on the Milwaukee-Madison route would start with six round trips at 79 mph in 2013, increasing to 110 mph in 2015....    more...  

Mar 7, 2010 EDITORIAL (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) UP finally agreed last year to a $95 million bridge and yard alterations. A 10-ramp I-20/Southwest Parkway/Southwest Boulevard monster mixmaster has been temporarily downsized to six ramps.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Joint budget committee OKs $12 million in new bonding authority for Transportation agency (Lewiston Morning Tribune) Frank Henderson of Post Falls, whose district abuts the Garwood-Sagle segment, proposed the decrease. It generates cash through bond sales, which are then paid back with future federal highway payments.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Norwich transportation center funded (The Day) The project, called the intermodal transportation center, includes a three-story parking garage and a main commuter bus terminal for Southeast Area Transit. The bid opening will take place at 2 p.m. that day at the Holiday Inn.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Maine delegation rallies to save railroad tracks (Bangor Daily News) Mike Michaud of Maine's 2nd District wrote a letter Thursday co-signed by Rep. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, said she also is working to save the lines. He said several rail operators have expressed interest in running the freight lines, including MMA. Gov.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Pair of desert projects get $15 million in funding (San Bernardino County Sun) ...million in funding from the San Bernardino Associated Governments (Sanbag), the county's transportation planning agency. On Wednesday, the Sanbag board earmarked $7.5 million in surface transportation funds for the La Mesa/Nisqualli interchange on the 15 Freeway in Victorville and another...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 BRIEF (The Baltimore Sun) ...improvements ranging from buses in rural areas to better speakers at MARC stations, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Friday. According to the U.S. Transportation Department, the Maryland Transit Administration will receive the following grants: -- $17.1 million toward...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Williston Park to get 1st repaving in more than decade (Newsday) Gary Ackerman (D-Roslyn Heights) secured $1 million in federal transportation funds for the village to repave roadways. The village received $97,000, but the state DOT, citing fiscal problems, would not release the remainder, Ackerman said. Ackerman said he learned from state Sen.    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Gov. Brad Henry OKs bills to put budget deal into action (The Daily Oklahoman) Michael McNutt Mar. 6, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Gov. Brad Henry quietly signed bills Friday that complete a budget agreement that takes care of a nearly $300 million projected deficit at the end of this fiscal year. The across-the-board cuts were necessary...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 State transportation money still elusive (The Macon Telegraph) ...penny sales taxes to pay for projects in 12 regions across the state. Counties would be bound together, come up with a list of projects, then hold a regional referendum to ask voters whether they're willing to pay for those projects with an extra penny tax. That plan, contained in House Bill...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Kansas cancels big highway projects amid budget crisis (The Kansas City Star) Some said they would have preferred reductions in school funding. Others said canceling highway repair now just delays the inevitable. "This sows the seeds of a bigger crisis in the highway fund," said Sen. Jeff Colyer, an Overland Park Republican. "We're still going to have to do those...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Connecticut Receives $238,000 In Funds For Transit Projects (The Hartford Courant) Donald DeFronzo, co-chairman of the General Assembly's transportation committee. "I see this as disappointing and disheartening. About 40 states got a share; Connecticut wasn't excluded this time, but finished almost at the bottom of the list of winners. Only Alaska, which received $140,000 to...    more...  

Mar 6, 2010 Tri-Valley, East County transportation projects to receive grant funds (Tri-Valley Herald) ...patrons. LAVTA, which serves the Tri-Valley area, including Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton, operates a bus system that makes more than 2 million trips each year. The Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority (ECCTA), which serves areas of Contra Costa County with bus transportation, will...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 NCDC ready to bid $22 million regional transportation center (The Day) Most large transportation projects are bid to huge general contractors -- many of which are from out of state with their own subcontractor arrangements. The bid opening will take place at that time at the Holiday Inn in Norwich.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 N.J. Transit Seeks Raise in Its Fares (New York Times) TRENTON (AP) — Bus and rail commuters may soon be digging deeper to ride New Jersey Transit. Seven weekday trains would be cut from the Morris and Essex lines to Hoboken — partly because ridership has declined faster than ridership to New York. Weinstein said that service would also be cut on...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 DFW Connector project (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The free was spelled out in NorthGate's contract with the Texas Transportation Department. Instead, NorthGate plans to limit lane closures to nights and weekends, deputy project director Rob Anderson said.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 State Gets A Disappointing $238,000 In Federal Transit Funds (The Hartford Courant) Donald DeFronzo, co-chairman of the General Assembly's transportation committee. "I see this as disappointing and disheartening. About 40 states got a share; Connecticut wasn't excluded this time, but finished almost at the bottom of the list of winners. Only Alaska, which received $140,000 to...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Bridge tolls could start in 2013 (The Evening News and The Tribune) Sherman Minton and the new bridges when each is completed. Scenario two would allow for no tolls on the I-64 -- Sherman Minton Bridge -- early tolling on the I-65 -- Kennedy Bridge -- and tolling on the new bridges in the years they open. An alternative to the second plan would again have no...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Groups try to reduce sediment flowing into St. Joseph River (The Herald-Palladium) JOSEPH -- While the Army Corps of Engineers is awarding contracts for spring dredging of the St. Joseph River Harbor Authority was told Thursday. Marcy Colclough, senior planner at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, and Matt Meersman, president of the nonprofit Friends of the St. Joe...    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 New Jersey Transit Seeks Higher Fares (New York Times) Bus and light rail customers will also be affected by service reductions. Three bus routes operated by NJ Transit will be discontinued, as will several local routes operated by private carriers. Light rail customers will see service frequency reductions.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 NJ Transit announces fare hikes, service cuts (Associated Press Online) The agency also had its state subsidy cut by 11 percent -- a drop of about $33 million. Three bus routes operated by NJ Transit will be discontinued, as will several local routes operated by private carriers.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 Lacey might become transportation tax partner (The Olympian) The county's interest in forming a district comes as available sources of revenue for such projects are drying up. Some vehicles, including recreational and all-terrain, are exempt from the fee. It began collecting the $20 vehicle fee in October.    more...  

Mar 5, 2010 EDITORIAL (The Virginian-Pilot) How much should it pay him to sort out a financial mess caused by too little attention and too little oversight? But it's also worth noting that Shucet has far more than a paycheck to lose if The Tide goes awry. Shucet has put his future on this light rail line. This is a man who spent years...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Bing (Detroit Free Press) Rail, the first 3.4 mile section of the rail line, has been largely funded with private investment from the Kresge Foundation, Detroit's Downtown Development Authority and wealthy business leaders including the Ilitch family, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and Compuware Corp. (NASDAQ:CPWR)...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 City to eliminate BWI bus route (The Capital) ...city's bus system runs and suggest improvements. Barbara Rasin Price, a CTAA founder, said the organization will likely take stock of the city's transit systems and find frugal ways to improve them. "I kind of think of it as a transportation makeover," said Rasin Price, who was also...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Vancouver mayor in State of City speech says new bridge details prompt close examination (The Oregonian) Chris Gregoire seeking more local control in a replacement bridge design.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 House passes tax breaks for new hires (Associated Press Online) That bill conspicuously left out the proposals to award tax credits for hiring new workers. The House amended the measure Thursday to conform with so-called pay-as-you-go budget rules that have become an article of faith among moderate Democrats. The $100 billion-plus bill would extend...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 House passes jobs bill despite doubts (Associated Press Online) The measure passed 217-201 on a mostly party-line vote. That bill conspicuously left out the proposals to award tax credits for hiring new workers. The $100 billion-plus bill would extend unemployment assistance, revive a bevy of expired tax breaks, help states with soaring Medicaid costs and...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 The Blade, Toledo, Ohio, Marilou Johanek column (The Blade) Marilou Johanek Mar. 4, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- I'M joining the Coffee Party. Talk about a timely rescue. The virtual coffee klatch is the brainchild of Annabel Park, a documentary filmmaker in Washington. People, it turns out, desperately want an...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Analyst urges 1,500 job cuts at Caltrans (The Sacramento Bee) The cumulative evidence from our review shows that the program is overstaffed and lacks strong management." LAO further concluded that Gov.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Back-seat Driver (The Sacramento Bee) It would be a commute route into downtown, heading west from a new interchange on the Capital City Freeway just south of the American River. The key is not to make the fees onerous." The fees, if enacted, will vary.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 St. Petersburg Times, Fla., Robert Trigaux column: Area auto sales sluggish compared to the national numbers (St. Petersburg Times) Hillsborough sales dropped 7.2 percent, and Pinellas fell 13.8 percent. The number of new vehicle sales in that county dropped to 96 from 181 in January '09 -- a 47 percent decrease. January sales at major Toyota dealerships were strong. And you won't find the book on Amazon.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Bellevue preparing to revise preferred route for southern light rail (Seattle Post Intelligencer) Bellevue City Council took pivotal action Monday on the issue of light rail, calling for city staff to draft a letter that would change its preferred alternative for South Bellevue.Last year, the council chose a South Bellevue route known as B3 Modified, which would place East Link along Bellevue...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 House passes tax credit for hiring the jobless (Associated Press Online) It would exempt businesses hiring the unemployed from having to pay the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax. The House amended the measure Thursday to conform with so-called pay-as-you-go budget rules that have become an article of faith among moderate Democrats. First, it would exempt...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 House to vote on tax breaks for new hires (Associated Press Online) The House amended the measure Thursday to conform with so-called pay-as-you-go budget rules that have become an article of faith among moderate Democrats. The $100 billion-plus bill would extend unemployment assistance, revive a bevy of expired tax breaks, help states with soaring Medicaid costs...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 JFAC passes trimmed budget (The Times-News) Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls. Democrats also made a failed motion that floated the idea of freezing the grocery tax credit expansion to generate more funding for schools. No Republicans supported it. Rep. Wendy Jaquet, D-Ketchum, said she is fearful the school budget will lead to property tax...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 City's road stimulus share nears $3 million (High Point Enterprise) ...stimulus projects funded through the High Point Metropolitan Planning Organization, a regional transportation group, for the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, Guilford County and Davidson County. The city also has benefited from N.C. Department of Transportation resurfacing...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 OPINION: High-speed rail (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Already, high-speed rail advocates are complaining, correctly, that 110 mph is lumbering by Eurostandards. The tracks to Madison also carry freight, but no country runs bullet trains on the same tracks as freight trains. Joseph Schwieterman, a transportation scholar at De Paul University, has...    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 DFW Connector project (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) The free was spelled out in NorthGate's contract with the Texas Transportation Department. Instead, NorthGate plans to limit lane closures to nights and weekends, deputy project director Rob Anderson said.    more...  

Mar 4, 2010 Get used to the gridlock (The Virginian-Pilot) ...monies." Layne said the state will need to seek more public-private partnerships to build roads -- partnerships that generally require tolls -- and to consider more transit options such as light rail, bus rapid transit and high-speed rail, for which there's federal funding. The grim...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Idaho public schools budget set, includes massive cut (The Idaho Statesman) In fiscal year 2010, which ends June 30, public education received $1.71 billion. Wendy Jacquet and Shirley Ringo -- voted against the public educations budgets affecting administrators, teachers and operations. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls. Rep.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Contract awarded for Telegraph Pass project (The Yuma Daily Sun) ...of Transportation project to R.E. Monks Construction of Fountain Hills, which had the low bid of $2.08 million. Nine bids were submitted, none from the Yuma area. ADOT had estimated the cost of the project at $2.58 million. The project is from Milepost 15 to Milepost 21 at Telegraph Pass....    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Iris Avenue to close this weekend for construction (Daily Camera) The 208 bus route will be redirected to a nearby detour.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Full steam ahead? (Zionsville Times Sentinel) Some people were upset, but it's critical that we have this discussion." Estimates on the total project's cost are as high as $6.7 billion. I like the idea of a bus connecting into a light rail.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 City officials (Connecticut Post) He completed the Birmingham Condominiums in the former Birmingham Corset factory on the corner of Bridge and Canal street just before the recession hit.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 House could vote Thursday on jobs bill (The Hill) House leaders have since pledged to find a way to offset that cost, said Rep. Baron Hill (D-Ind.), a senior Blue Dog.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Debt may lead to toll hikes (The Capital) E.J. Pipkin, R-Elkton, John Astle, D-Annapolis, and Del.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Idaho public schools budget set, includes first-ever cut in total funds (The Idaho Statesman) Wendy Jacquet and Shirley Ringo -- voted against the public educations budgets affecting administrators, teachers and operations. School districts have been in favor of additional discretion since the beginning of the session. "I'm not comfortable with this budget either. Janice McGeachin,...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Rail corridor talks continue (Kokomo Tribune) ... The Indiana Trails Fund used rail banking to preserve the Nickel Plate rail corridor from Cassville to Rochester, ensuring sections of the corridor wouldn't be made available for sale to the adjoining property owners. After the federal Surface Transportation Board ordered the unused line...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Bunning filibuster ends, jobless benefits will be extended (The Hill) J. Taylor RushingThe Senate late Tuesday ended Sen. The vote came after an unsuccessful, 43-53 vote on a substitute amendment by Bunning.The 19 ‘no’ votes included GOP Sens. The Kentucky Republican said he blocked the benefits because he wanted the bill funded by unspent stimulus money.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 2 toll-collection bills for 520 floating bridge pass House (The Seattle Times) Collection agencies, rather than the state courts, would collect the money, though motorists could appeal to a court. It would allow tolls to pay for projects in the entire corridor from Redmond to Interstate 5, instead of just the "floating bridge and necessary landings," as directed by earlier...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Construction of Texas Loop 49 segment 3B growing near (Tyler Morning Telegraph) Mobility Authority (NETRMA). Halbrooks gave an update on Loop 49 projects Thursday to the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee. He said segment 3B will be the last segment needed to connect the loop and access the interstate. The section of Loop 49, from Paluxy...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 'Desperate' need for benefits (CNN) STORY HIGHLIGHTS * Atlanta father Joe Orr found out via e-mail that his unemployment benefits were ending * Sen. The Senate adjourned last week without approving extensions of cash and health insurance benefits for the unemployed after Sen. CNN's Ashley Fantz and Alan Silverleib contributed to...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Senate passes $10 billion jobless benefits measure (CNN) The original short-term extension of unemployment benefits needed unanimous consent to pass because Democrats have labeled it an emergency spending measure. These federal benefit weeks are divided into tiers, and the jobless must apply each time they move into a new tier. CNN's Ed Henry, Gloria...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Bunning backs off, jobless benefits OK'd (CNN) The original short-term extension of unemployment benefits needed unanimous consent to pass because Democrats have labeled it an emergency spending measure. Bunning's action created a political firestorm. The Nevada Democrat rejected Bunning's motions. "You have made your point ... [but] the...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Timing on transit tax eyed (The Herald-Sun) ...transit policy. Durham Mayor Bill Bell, however, said Tuesday he prefers the idea of using light rail throughout the system, to create what he termed "a seamless" experience for riders. Transit planners floated that as a possibility starting in the fall of 2008, when officials with the N.C....    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Prattville council to support Complete Streets effort (Montgomery Advertiser) It is a common sight to see Miller, an avid runner, jogging around the city. "But our streets need to be accessible to pedestrians, walkers and public transit.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Federal stimulus money means jobs in Clermont, across America, vice president insists (The Orlando Sentinel) Among those on hand were Clermont Mayor Hal Turville and Lake County School Board Chairwoman Cindy Barrow.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Analyst urges 1,500 job cuts at Caltrans (The Sacramento Bee) The cumulative evidence from our review shows that the program is overstaffed and lacks strong management." LAO further concluded that Gov.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Commuters face backups on I-95 into downtown (The Baltimore Sun) Moss said the round-the-clock closure will let the utility finish the work more quickly than it otherwise could. Can we do it on weekends?" she said. Hein said he'll probably use a back-door route into downtown via Washington Boulevard.    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 Shelby-DeSoto corridor plan cruises with county's OK (The Commercial Appeal) Collierville and southeast Shelby County. The Houston Levee/Center Hill Corridor study, under way for about a year and half, came up with 14 potential routes or alignments, and the supervisors on Tuesday endorsed a further look at three alternatives. Two of the routes would travel south from...    more...  

Mar 3, 2010 OPINION: Bolton (The State) The county also agreed to cut the 2 cents on a dollar restaurant tax in half. Columbia spent years going around and around with SCANA in an attempt to reach an agreement to transfer the bus system to public hands. Smith said she hopes Columbia's officials are willing to help lead on.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Senate votes to revive programs after Bunning relents (McClatchy Washington Bureau) ...pleading for him to drop his objection.Tuesday evening, he did."I hope Senate Democrats tonight vote for their own pay-fors and show Americans that they are committed to fiscal discipline," Bunning said. "I will be watching them closely and checking off the hypocrites one by one."One of...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Under pressure, Bunning drops objection to extending jobless benefits (McClatchy Washington Bureau) He wanted the provisions paid for, but other senators said these were emergency measures and didn't need to be offset.The pressure steadily grew. The Senate can overcome his objection if 60 of its 100 members vote to do so. The majority of the Senate disagrees with you.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Neosho panel to take up question of more debt (The Joplin Globe) The council placed Blase on paid suspension effective Jan. 26, pending final steps to fire him.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Anger grows as Bunning rebuffs even GOP pleas on benefits bill (McClatchy Washington Bureau) The Senate can overcome his objection if 60 of its 100 members vote to do so. The majority of the Senate disagrees with you.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 More than $150 million in construction at Newport Navy base (The Providence Journal) Projects worth more than $150 million began transforming the base last year and will continue through next year. The relocations will result in 17,500 students passing through Newport annually, an increase of nearly 90 percent from years ago. Close to 300 Rhode Island tradesmen are expected to be...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Coming Soon (Kitsap Sun) The cost is estimated at $70,000 to $150,000. Money from the federal Surface Transportation Program for rural projects had to be spent quickly or the county would forfeit it. There are only 22 all-electric cars in Kitsap County, according to the state Department of Licensing, and 12 of them are...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 GOP's Bunning again blocks extension of jobless benefits (Los Angeles Times) Thousands of workers on federal transportation projects have been furloughed and 41 transportation projects around the country have been suspended.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 GOP's Bunning continues one-man Senate filibuster (Los Angeles Times) Thousands of workers on federal transportation projects have been furloughed and 41 transportation projects around the country have been suspended.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Congressional spat shuts down highway funding (The Times) ...impasse over federal highway funding should not affect highway projects in Indiana unless the dispute becomes a prolonged one, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation. "What may happen if this becomes a protracted issue is an interruption in cash flow not just for Indiana but...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 McDonnell considering two special sessions (Richmond Times-Dispatch) McDonnell said today that he could call two special sessions sometime this year to address transportation funding and government reforms. In an interview with reporters and editors at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, McDonnell said once the General Assembly session concludes, his administration will...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Lobbyists play critical role, NCTD says (North County Times) The lobbying firm, which has contracted with NCTD since 2002, represents both NCTD and the San Diego-based Metropolitan Transit System. Others are private corporations including General Motors, LLC. Campbell and NCTD executive director Matt Tucker praised Watts for his work.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 EDITORIAL (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal) The projects -- a resurfacing effort between Kosciusko and Ridgeland, and trail work near Ridgeland and Madison -- cannot go forward until funding is approved. Another project, in extreme southern Tennessee, for repaving touring roads and parking in Shiloh National Military Park, also has been...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Smokies road work halts (The Knoxville News-Sentinel) Lamar Alexander, R-Maryville, blamed Democrats for the work stoppage on the Cades Cove project. "The HIRE Act, which Sen.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Dems rip Bunning for blocking benefits (CNN) Jim Bunning, R-Kentucky, blocked the measure by insisting that Congress first pay for the $10 billion package. Jim Bunning says he doesn't want to add to the deficit. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, criticized Bunning's stance on the package.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Senator ripped for stalling jobs benefits (CNN) The Senate adjourned last week without approving extensions of cash and health insurance benefits for the unemployed after Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Kentucky, blocked the measure by insisting that Congress first pay for the $10 billion package. Jim Bunning says he doesn't want to add to the deficit.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 DOT commissioner explains state's shutout in federal infrastructure grant applications (The Stamford Advocate) State Rep. Anthony "Tony" Guerrera, a co-chairman of the committee, asked Marie to send committee members a written summary of the DOT's meeting with federal transportation officials. DeFronzo said he was eager for additional information about the federal DOT's assessment of Connecticut's...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Bunning's Fiscal Hardball Jams Gop (Politico) Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) put it Monday.And Republicans who came to Bunning’s defense were a rarity. Representatives of senators in states that have seen furloughs, including Sens. Mike Castle (R-Del.) — also did not respond to inquiries seeking comment, and a spokeswoman for Rep.    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 The state of the speeches (Grand Forks Herald) For homeowners, that was 2.21 percent of their valuation and, for commercial property owners, it was 2.46 percent. For homeowners, that was 2.13 percent of valuation and, for commercial property owners, 2.36 percent. Result: Brown partnered with a nonprofit group to create a Web site where...    more...  

Mar 2, 2010 Marriage of transit, real estate development pressed (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Transit from Oakland to Downtown could be an extension of the light rail system, or an extension of a people-mover from Oakland through Uptown, the Hill District or the Second Avenue corridor. The county is seeking comments from developers through April, and will use those comments when asking...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 BRIEF (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Payments to federally funded highway and transit projects were also frozen after Sen.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Federal funding dispute stops work on Cades Cove Loop Road (The Knoxville News-Sentinel) Jim Bunning, R-Ky., blocking legislation last week.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 2,000 transportation workers idled over impasse (Associated Press Online) It would extend funding for highway projects and spare doctors from a 21 percent cut in Medicare payments. Medicare payments to doctors would be cut by 21 percent, if Congress doesn't act. Most people already receiving extended unemployment benefits won't be affected by the impasse.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Pender leaders speak up on county's road needs (Star-News) Alford was appointed last month to replace Lanny Wilson, who resigned in January. Also Monday, the commissioners voted unanimously to support a construction contract at Trask High School in Rocky Point for a combination auditorium and auxiliary gymnasium. While they supported the award of the...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Tampa Tribune, Fla., Steve Otto column (Tampa Tribune) Steve Otto Mar. 1, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Who cares if that's a cold March wind out there? It's so good for the economy. We've built so many jock palaces in recent years that we all should be driving Hummers home to our McMansions in Avila. A decade ago,...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Vice President Joe Biden tells groups of workers "we have come a long way" in a year (The Orlando Sentinel) ...union leaders said they wanted to hear about. "Jobs, jobs, jobs," said newly-elected AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, when asked what Biden needed to talk about to address concerns of this traditionally Democratic-friendly audience. And in introducing the vice president, Trumka put aside any...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Federal stimulus funds slow to take hold in Inland region (The Press-Enterprise) For most of the last year, Detroit has been the only metropolitan area with more jobless workers than Inland Southern California. Murphy estimated about two dozen workers were hired. "Does (the stimulus) create more jobs? My answer is that it keeps us from laying off people sooner," Murphy said....    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Biden says he understands resentment over bailouts (Associated Press Online) Earlier in the day, the vice president told construction workers outside Orlando that federal stimulus spending is working. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. It will create between 20 and 50 jobs at different stages. It's no wonder they wonder about the Recovery Act, but guess what?    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Vice President Joe Biden touts stimulus program at U.S. 27 widening site in Clermont (The Orlando Sentinel) Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in Clermont and later will speak in Orlando at the AFL-CIO executive council's winter meeting. Our funds are cut like anybody else's," said Downs, whose district spans Central Florida. "Road projects are good economic boosters.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 The Kansas City Star, Mo., E. Thomas McClanahan column (The Kansas City Star) Then you think: The government went into debt, to fix sidewalks in Kansas City? Dennis Moore of Kansas. Those three are old hands. A lot of government workers will benefit, but the stimulus package offered little or nothing to boost economic growth.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Biden touts jobs created by stimulus in Florida (Associated Press Online) Too many people are in trouble in this country." Biden, who appeared with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Sen. It will create between 20 and 50 jobs at different stages. It's no wonder they wonder about the Recovery Act, but guess what?    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Delegation to lobby D.C. for funding (The News-Gazette) Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., chairwoman of the railroads subcommittee, and U.S. Rep.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Kentucky senator blocks job extensions (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Because passing the extensions required unanimous consent, Mr. The programs are designed to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities from distracted driving and improve child passenger and motorcycle safety. We are aiming for another $1.8 billion in highway and bridge contracts this calendar year.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Hamzy, Former GOP State Chairman, Endorses Hartford-To-Waterbury Rail Line (The Hartford Courant) Christopher Dodd support the busway, as does state Rep. Bristol prefers returning passenger trains to the lightly used rail line because that route goes directly past a 17-acre downtown property that's awaiting development. Train advocates warn that if the busway is built, it will forever block...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Dems Struggle With Jobs Agenda (Politico) But in the Senate, quick passage of popular unemployment benefits seems far less certain.Democrats were eager to blame the GOP for the holdup, pointing to Kentucky Sen. The powerful chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee opposed the mechanism in the Senate bill for...    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Back-seat Driver (The Sacramento Bee) It would be a commute route into downtown, heading west from a new interchange on the Capital City Freeway just south of the American River. The key is not to make the fees onerous." The fees, if enacted, will vary.    more...  

Mar 1, 2010 Funds trickle in for missing link for Tri-State and I-57 (Chicago Tribune) But when I-57 was built in the late 1960s, no interchange was included. The tollway started drawing plans in 1993, said Rocco Zucchero, deputy chief of engineering. Over the years, the complexity and costs have grown. In 2006, officials estimated the interchange would cost $225 million. The...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Cat (Journal Star) A year ago there was a tremendous amount of economic uncertainty, and it was something we needed. He said Caterpillar estimated the amount of the $787 billion U.S. stimulus package enacted a year ago that would be spent on infrastructure would be about $70 billion.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 La Junta library explores center for city's youth (The Pueblo Chieftain) The space is hardly differentiated for use by teens. "Our teen center here is pretty small. The carpet in the building will be replaced and wood floors will be refinished. "We are still looking at options with an architect.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Pennsylvania really needs federal government to approve tolls for I-80 (The Morning Call) The commission has been borrowing to make those transfers, hoping to be paid back partly by I-80 tolls. The transportation law, known as Act 44, authorized the commission to boost tolls on the mainline Turnpike and its Northeast Extension by 25 percent in January 2009. An approval by spring could...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Crumbling: The bumpy bottom line (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Ravenstahl mounted a paver to proclaim that the city would resurface 50 miles that year. Costa said the 2nd Division got less city asphalt because the state tended to do more paving in that area. Since then, the city has been buying asphalt from New Castle-based Lindy Paving Inc. Mr.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Next N.J. transit chief faces rough road ahead (The Philadelphia Inquirer) We have to figure out how to keep roads and bridges in good working order at a lower cost. The calculations are based on the average household use of 930 gallons a year. The state shouldn't rely only on a gas-tax increase, Baldwin said.    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 I-75 ramp work on road to completion (The Bradenton Herald) ...interchange at Ellenton, where the interstate crosses U.S. 301. That project, with a $1.5 million cost, entails widening the northbound I-75 exit ramp and constructing an additional left turn lane onto U.S. 301, according to FDOT. It also calls for widening the west approach on U.S. 301 to...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Increasing number of unmarried in Augusta area will be one part of U.S. Census examination (The Augusta Chronicle) Columbia County had the lowest, at nearly 23 percent. But all three area counties, including Aiken, have seen an increase in those percentages since 1990. Correspondingly, the percentage of people who are married declined over that time. It's intergenerational poverty," he said. "Like if you're...    more...  

Feb 28, 2010 Future of funding for PennDOT uncertain (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Without the revenue from I-80, the turnpike's annual transfers of toll money to PennDOT's coffers will drop from $900 million in 2009 to $450 million this year. Federal funding expired in September, and Congress has passed several resolutions extending funding at 2009 levels.    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 With project in death throes, Route 11 commission is on road to nowhere (The Day) Route 11 Greenway Authority Commission continued their soul-searching Friday morning. The commission has received funding to start engineering a bike and pedestrian path on either side of the proposed Route 11 highway extension. The problem: There may never be a highway extension. There also...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Medford bypass focuses on Medco route (Mail Tribune) The bill provided $900 million statewide for transportation projects.    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 L.A. County supervisors exert unusual and perhaps improper influence on planners, audit suggests (Los Angeles Times) Antonovich said through a spokesman that Novak would not be admonished. Bohlke declined to comment. The audit was initiated by the county's auditor-controller after the supervisors fired McClendon in January 2009. McClendon's allegations involve one-on-one conversations over the phone or in person.    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD (The Evening News and The Tribune) ...projects were subject to minor changes at Thursday's meeting, both in Floyd County. A project for Paoli Pike intersection improvements changed the funding structure, moving money designated for the redesign from congestion mitigation and air quality funds to local funds, which totaled...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 NFTA prepared to drop plan to sell railroad right of way (The Buffalo News) Transit Corp., a group advocating the extension of Metro Rail. President Gladys Gifford last year voiced reservations about selling the land at a time when stimulus money and other federal funds were making extension of Buffalo rapid transit a feasible idea for the first time in many years. She...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Senator stalls transportation, jobless funds (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) Oberstar said that starting Monday, daily reimbursements averaging $153.6 million will cease to flow to states from the Federal Highway Administration. Some $31.4 million per day in payments by the Federal Transit Administration will also be frozen. He estimated that 4,000 workers would be...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Transit may offer fast travel to Downtown Memphis (The Commercial Appeal) Thad Cochran, R-Miss., $70 million has been earmarked in the transportation bill in a grant to fund an I-69 transit project. The BRT service would continue west on Church Road to U.S. 51 (one mile) and from this intersection to Downtown Memphis (15.4 miles) in an on-street bus lane. The BRT...    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Missouri road projects stop because of congressional inaction (The Kansas City Star) It passed the Senate but is now facing delays in the House. Missouri was expected to lose $243 million through the end of the federal fiscal year in September. Officials there said the state had only programmed about a third of the money the state could have lost if the problem wasn't fixed.    more...  

Feb 27, 2010 Bike lane over Missouri River among dozen delayed projects (The Kansas City Star) It passed the Senate but is now facing delays in the House.    more...