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USDOT Announces Participants in National Drone Testing Program

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao officially announced the first 10 participants in the agency's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program at a May 9 event in Washington D.C.; a three-year test program led by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that includes local, state, and tribal governments plus private sector firms that will integrate drones into the nation's airspace system. "Our country is on the verge of the most significant development

Sturges named deputy FRA administrator

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao yesterday announced that Mathew Sturges has been appointed deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration(FRA). Sturges previously served as majority staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), where he directed legislative oversight and authorization efforts related to all modes of transportation. He also worked as deputy director of government affairs f

Massive Port of Wilmington expansion clears first legislative hurdle

A $580-million proposed expansion of the Port of Wilmington involving a lease arrangement with a company based in the United Arab Emirates has won unanimous support from members of the General Assembly's Bond Bill committee. The vote Thursday came two weeks after the Diamond State Port Corporation examined the deal as hundreds of union members looked on. At that hearing, the CEO of Gulftainer addressed concerns about security and safety. Governor John Carney in a statement th

L.A. City Council committee moves Elon Musk’s tunnel project forward

Elon Musk’s proposed network of traffic-dodging tunnels moved a step closer to reality this week, when a Los Angeles City Council committee approved excavation permits the tech tycoon is seeking for a 2.7-mile “proof of concept”‘ tunnel on the Westside. The Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee noted Wednesday, April 18, however, that Metro will need to review the project, in part to ensure it does not conflict with the agency’s own plans to build a transit system along t

Pennsylvania opens 390 bridges under public-private partnership

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Rapid Bridge Replacement project, a public-private partnership (P3), has led to the completion of 390 bridges with 50 more under construction. By the end of the month, eight additional bridges will open for traffic and 20 will begin construction. The $899 million project launched in 2013 as a way to address the state’s structurally deficient bridges while taking into account limited funding and resources. By using a P3

New Money for US Shipyards to Support Jobs and Industry

Jones Act Continues to Deliver for American Merchant Vessel US – The US Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of $19.6 million in federal funding to support capital improvements and employee training at small US shipyards. The grants are provided through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, and is aimed at helping eligible shipyards modernize operations, increase efficiency and reap the benefits of increased product

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Half A Billion Dollars in Infrastructure Investments to

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) today announced the list of 41 recipients of nearly $500 million in discretionary grant funding for road, transit, maritime and rail projects through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. “TIGER grants are targeted investments for our local communities that will increase safety, create jobs and modernize our country’s infrastructure,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. More than 64%

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fees, Higher Gas Tax May Fund US Infrastructure

A higher gas tax and new fees for alternative-fuel vehicles are among the ways America can pay for a major overhaul of its outdated infrastructure — and create jobs in the process, says a bipartisan group that includes U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. “This will put people to work, and everybody knows we need to do it,” said Esty, a three-term Democrat who co-chairs the U.S. House Problems Solvers Caucus Infrastructure Working Group. “We think there is narrow window of a couple mont

Mayors Skeptical of Trump Infrastructure Plan

When big-city mayors met in Washington last week, one of their primary messages regarding infrastructure was that the federal government should send new money directly to cities, rather than through states. The Trump administration seems open to the idea. “The folks in this room turn dirt faster than anybody in America,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said at a meeting on infrastructure at the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ meeting last week. “We think that cities are the place

Trump Urges Congress to Again Use Project Earmarks to Help Smooth Legislation

President Trump urged Congress to bring back lawmaker-sponsored project "earmarks" and use them to build support for legislation, at a time his administration is weighing how and when to roll out a long-delayed infrastructure investment plan. Trump made his earmark comments during a White House session with members of Congress from both parties to negotiate an immigration issue that is holding up budget talks. But the congressionally designated appropriations for individual p

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