Roads & Bridges

Established in1999

Located inFort Atkinson, Wisconsin, United States

News CoverageROAD BRIDGE

Advertise your business here! 🚀

Contact us now and get more customers.

Smiling woman thumbs up

10

R&B Publishers' Articles

Filter by

View by

Rhode Island’S Washington Bridge Replacement To Cost $571 Million

Roads & Bridges

Rhode Island’S Washington Bridge Replacement To Cost $571 MillionThe westbound Washington Bridge on Interstate 195 in Rhode Island is set to be replaced at an estimated total cost of $571 million and won’t reopen to traffic until late 2028 — more than two years later than initially projected. Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced Friday that Walsh Construction Co. has been awarded the $427 million contract to build the new span. The total cost includes $340 million in hard construction expenses and $87 million in soft costs, such as a $10 million incentive if Walsh finishes ahead of schedule. Demolition and emergency response costs push the full project price tag to $571 million. The original bridge was closed abruptly during the evening commute in December 2023, after engineers discovered structural instability that could have led to a catastrophic collapse, according to officials. Initial hopes to repair the span were dashed after further inspection revealed internal steel corrosion. “This has been a trying time for those who rely on the Washington Bridge,” McKee said, adding that the final bid was within the $713 million the state has budgeted from a mix of state and federal funding sources. The state had originally hoped to complete the project by August 2026 for roughly $250 million to $300 million. But a lack of initial bidders and design revisions—including abandoning plans to reuse the old bridge’s piers—delayed the timeline and increased costs. Walsh was chosen over American Bridge Co., which submitted a higher construction bid. State officials say the eastbound span currently carrying all traffic remains safe under enhanced inspection protocols. Meanwhile, the state’s lawsuit against 13 companies involved in the failed bridge's past maintenance and the U.S. Department of Justice probe remain ongoing. Source: Providencejournal.com, Turnto10.com

California Allocates $1.7 Billion For Highway Safety

Roads & Bridges

California Allocates $1.7 Billion For Highway SafetyThe California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Thursday approved nearly $1.7 billion for infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing safety, improving mobility and strengthening climate resilience across the state highway system. The funding aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “Build More, Faster – For All” initiative, which seeks to modernize California’s infrastructure with a focus on sustainability and accessibility. The allocation includes $86.5 million for emergency repairs to roads and transportation infrastructure damaged by wildfires and storms in Southern California. “These investments support Caltrans’ mission to maintain a transportation system that helps Californians now and for decades to come,” said Mike Keever, Caltrans acting director, in a statement. “This funding translates into safer travel and stronger roadways to withstand extreme weather.” Key projects include: The CTC also funded projects across several Caltrans districts, from the Bay Area to the Central Valley and Inland Empire. Of the total funding, $651 million comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, while $536 million is drawn from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). California has received nearly $62 billion in federal infrastructure funding under the IIJA, supporting more than 170,000 jobs statewide. Source: California Department of Transportation, Lakeconews.com

Usdot Approves $607 Million In Infrastructure Grants

Roads & Bridges

Usdot Approves $607 Million In Infrastructure GrantsThe U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Wednesday the approval of 76 new infrastructure grants totaling more than $607 million, part of an effort to reduce what the Trump administration said was a “significant number of previously unexecuted projects.” Nearly $5 billion in total funding has been approved across 405 grants—about 13% of what it described as a backlog of more than 3,200 projects that had been announced but not advanced, according to the administration. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said USDOT is aiming to streamline project delivery and accelerate construction timelines by removing certain requirements that had contributed to delays and increased costs. The latest round of grants will support a variety of construction priorities, including road and bridge upgrades, culvert replacements and wildlife crossings. Among the allocations: $33 million for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant, and $126 million for the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Funding also includes $188 million through the INFRA program, $19 million from the BUILD program and $3.4 million for 15 projects under the Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative. The largest individual award—$550 million—was granted to the Alabama Department of Transportation for a major bridge and bayway multimodal project. Officials said the goal is to advance critical infrastructure projects efficiently by focusing on core construction needs and easing permitting burdens, which the administration said had previously slowed progress and driven up taxpayer costs. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Themoorecountynews.com

South Carolina Receives $175 Million Federal Grant

Roads & Bridges

South Carolina Receives $175 Million Federal GrantThe U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $175 million federal grant to the South Carolina Department of Transportation to replace aging Interstate 95 bridges over Lake Marion, a key freight corridor for the East Coast. The grant, awarded through the Bridge Investment Program, will fund the replacement of four 55-year-old bridges that connect Clarendon and Orangeburg counties. The current structures, which carry nearly 39,000 vehicles daily, do not meet modern design standards and will be replaced with a new bridge featuring three lanes in each direction and future expansion capacity. “This project will help ensure a bright future for the people of our state and the nation,” said Justin Powell, South Carolina Secretary of Transportation, in a statement. “The South Carolina Department of Transportation is prepared to move forward immediately and put these dollars to work.” Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the grant is part of a broader effort to reduce a significant backlog of infrastructure grants. “We’re focused on delivering results for communities across the country by advancing core infrastructure projects,” Duffy said. The new bridge is expected to improve safety, traffic flow, and long-term economic development throughout the region. Source: Spectrum Local News, U.S. Department of Transportation

Maryland Plans $160M Safety Upgrade For Bay Bridge

Roads & Bridges

Maryland Plans $160M Safety Upgrade For Bay BridgeThe Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced Monday it has completed a long-awaited safety assessment of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, concluding that its piers require added protection to meet modern voluntary safety guidelines. The review follows national scrutiny after the March 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which killed six people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that tragedy could have been prevented with stronger pier defenses and called on agencies nationwide to assess similar bridges. MDTA, which owns both the Key and Bay bridges, spent $600,000 on the Bay Bridge study. The agency concluded it needs to reinforce the piers with updated protections such as new fenders and "dolphins"—concrete-and-rock barriers designed to absorb or deflect ship impacts. The proposed upgrades are estimated to cost $160 million. While the Bay Bridge currently meets federal requirements for legacy structures, MDTA said the improvements align with voluntary recommendations set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Shorter-term mitigation strategies may include updated vessel communication protocols, reduced speeds and one-way ship transits, but MDTA said tug escorts are not currently under consideration. With the twin spans of the Bay Bridge nearing replacement age, MDTA Chief Engineer Will Pines previously noted that new protective infrastructure could be reused in a future bridge. The NTSB listed the Bay Bridge among 68 at-risk bridges nationwide that could benefit from enhanced pier protection. Source: Maritimeexecutive.com, Marylandmatters.org

Major Florida Bridge Makes Progress

Roads & Bridges

Major Florida Bridge Makes ProgressConstruction is well underway on the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge, a $90.8 million infrastructure project that began in spring 2023 and is slated for completion by summer 2026. The bridge, which connects Fort Myers Beach to Lover’s Key along Estero Boulevard, is being built on the Gulf side of the existing span. When finished, the 60-foot fixed-span bridge will offer enhanced pedestrian and cyclist access with dedicated bicycle lanes, a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side and a 10-foot shared-use path on the south. Motorists continue to use the current bridge while construction progresses. Once complete, the old bridge will be demolished and repurposed as part of an offshore artificial reef. The bridge is being constructed by Superior Construction Co. Southeast LLC under a contract with Lee County. Drone footage reveals the scale of the project, offering a glimpse of the future of coastal connectivity. The new bridge is designed with a 75-year lifespan and includes utility relocation for both Lee County and Bonita Springs, according to the contractor. Source: News-Press.com, Yahoo News

Washington Launches Work Zone Speed Camera On I-5

Roads & Bridges

Washington Launches Work Zone Speed Camera On I-5Washington state has activated its first highway work zone speed camera at the Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange on Interstate 5, aiming to reduce speeding and improve safety for workers and drivers. The trailer-mounted camera uses LiDAR technology to detect speeding vehicles. If a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit, a photo of the license plate—not the driver—is sent to the Washington State Patrol to determine if a violation occurred. Drivers caught speeding will receive one warning before being fined $248 for any subsequent infraction. Violations are considered non-moving and won’t impact driving records or insurance but must still be addressed by the vehicle’s registered owner. “This provides another tool to help ensure workers—and everyone on the roadway—come home safe at the end of the day,” said Julie Meredith, Washington Secretary of Transportation, in a statement. The camera's placement follows safety concerns and over 1,300 annual work zone crashes since 2020. Enforcement will occur only when workers are present, and signs will alert drivers. Revenue from fines will support the speed camera program and fund additional safety initiatives, including DUI enforcement. The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to deploy six more cameras this summer in busy work zones statewide, with legislative approval in place for five years. Source: Mynorthwest.com, Washington State Department of Transportation

Mainedot Launches $4.8 Billion Infrastructure Plan

Roads & Bridges

Mainedot Launches $4.8 Billion Infrastructure PlanThe Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has rolled out a $4.8 billion, three-year work plan aimed at improving infrastructure across the state through more than 2,700 projects. The majority of the funding will support capital work, including over 1,100 miles of paving and more than 70 bridge projects each year. The plan also covers essential maintenance services such as snow plowing and administrative operations. “This workplan will affect everyone in Maine in some way or another,” said Bruce Van Note, MaineDOT commissioner, in a statement. “Even the striping program, those stripes that you can see at night, that’s $9 million a year to get every single one of those things done.” The plan includes upgrades to roads, bridges, bike paths, pedestrian walkways and airports. Van Note emphasized the difficulty in project prioritization, noting that each town sees its own needs as most urgent, creating what he called “a kind of ‘Sophie’s choice’” for the department. Officials said the plan is designed to boost safety, enhance mobility, and support long-term economic development throughout Maine. Source: WGME.com, Maine Department of Transportation

Kansas Awards $8.1 Million To Boost Rural Road Safety

Roads & Bridges

Kansas Awards $8.1 Million To Boost Rural Road SafetyKansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced last week that 11 rural road projects across Kansas will receive more than $8.1 million in federal funding through the state’s High Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) Program. The initiative, part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation (IKE) Program, is aimed at improving safety on rural roadways by upgrading signage, intersections and other critical infrastructure. “By improving intersections, signage, and other critical roadway features, we are building momentum for a safer, stronger Kansas,” Kelly said in a statement. The HRRR program is funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, with an additional $1.6 million in local matching funds supporting the selected projects. The 11 projects were chosen from 29 applications requesting nearly $30 million. “With over 20% of fatal and serious injury crashes occurring on county roads, strong partnerships will be necessary to achieve the goal of zero roadway fatalities,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed. Projects include shoulder additions in Ellsworth, Finney, Meade and Pratt counties; upgraded signage in Osborne and Trego counties; and pavement markings, rumble strips and safety enhancements in several others. The projects fall under two categories: systemic improvements across multiple roadways or site-specific upgrades targeting high-risk areas. Source: Kansas Department of Transportation, Ransonfinanicial.com

Ohio Launches Record $3.2 Billion Construction Season

Roads & Bridges

Ohio Launches Record $3.2 Billion Construction SeasonThe Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is rolling out a record $3.2 billion construction season in 2025, with over 950 projects statewide aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion and upgrading critical infrastructure. Pamela Boratyn, ODOT director, spoke to the significance of the work in a statement. "This year we will see a very significant investment in our transportation infrastructure — one that will improve safety, reduce traffic fatalities and keep people and goods moving efficiently,” she said. Of that total, $400 million will fund southeastern Ohio projects, including the long-awaited Chesapeake Bypass along Route 7. “This has been a project that’s been around over 20 years… but it’s been fully funded now, so it’s definitely coming,” said Mikaela Bruning of ODOT District 9, in a statement. Phase two of the bypass includes a five-mile stretch from State Route 527 to State Route 775 and is expected to run through 2028. In District 10, nearly half of the regional budget will expand US 33 between Athens and Meigs counties. Eastern Ohio’s District 11 will see $168 million in upgrades, with 93 new projects, including resurfacing, bridge repairs and safety enhancements in counties such as Jefferson and Harrison. As the construction season ramps up, ODOT is emphasizing work zone safety. Last year, Ohio recorded 4,000 work zone crashes. The agency’s “Not Just a Roadside Worker” campaign highlights the importance of Ohio’s Move Over Law. “These folks have families to get home to,” said Lauren Borell, ODOT spokesperson, in a statement. “Motorists should watch out for our drivers, move over and slow down.” Source: WSAZ News, Heraldstaronline.com