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roads & bridges
Unique Kentucky Intersection Helps Prevent CrashesA recent analysis of a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection in Trigg County, Ky., shows a decrease in crashes, injuries and fatalities.
The RCUT, located at U.S. Highway 68 and Kentucky Highway 139, was completed in 2021. Data from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) previously featured a flashing yellow and red light that consistently proved to be one of the most dangerous in the county.
Following a fatal crash in 2020, KYTC constructed one of the first RCUT designs in the state to cut down on the number of cars passing directly across the intersection on the South Road and in turn, in front of vehicles driving east-west on U.S. 68.
While met with some criticism at the time by people who didn’t understand the design or wished for a standard traffic light to be installed, KYTC data shows the RCUT design has helped cut down on the number of crashes and people injured and killed at the intersection.
From 2017 to 2020, the intersection saw 16 crashes with seven people injured and two people killed. From 2021 to 2024, there were six crashes with two injuries and no fatalities.
R-CUTs use median crossovers to eliminate side-street left turns and eliminate multiple points of conflict where vehicles cross paths, including at right angles, which in turn reduces the risk of severe crashes.
Kyle Poat, chief district engineer, said in a statement to WKZD Radio that a national study showed RCUTs reduced crashes by 54% on average.
Poat says the Trigg County RCUT is one of 11 constructed in six counties in the highway district.
He also says RCUTs and other safer road designs such as roundabouts will continue to be a part of the state’s efforts to improve highway safety across the state.
Source: KBSI 23 News, WKZD Radioroad-bridge
Jan 15, 2025
roads & bridges
Sean Duffy Faces Senate Hearing As Trump’S Usdot PickToday, Sean Duffy, President-elect Donal Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), will appear before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, where he will be questioned on how he will manage the transportation agency and oversee the nation’s infrastructure.
If the Senate approves, the former Wisconsin congressman and MTV reality star will inherit an agency with a budget of over $100 billion. The agency has been in the spotlight due to incidents like the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Duffy, 53, also has worked as a lobbyist and, most recently, was host of a Fox News show.
"Sean will use his experience and the relationships he has built over many years in Congress to maintain and rebuild our Nation’s Infrastructure, and fulfill our Mission of ushering in The Golden Age of Travel, focusing on Safety, Efficiency, and Innovation," Trump said in statement about choosing Duffy. "Importantly, he will greatly elevate the Travel Experience for all Americans!"
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said that during Duffy’s time in Congress, he improved transportation infrastructure in his state.
Duffy said he worked with both parties to secure funding for the St. Croix Crossing and improved port infrastructure while serving on the Great Lake Task Force.
Source: New York Times, USA Todayroad-bridge
Jan 15, 2025
roads & bridges
Massachusetts Gov. Healey Unveils $8 Billion Transportation PlanOn Tuesday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announced a plan to invest $8 billion in roads, bridges and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The plan will take place over the next 10 years and will not rely on any tax increases, according to Healey.
Immediately under the plan, Healey’s administration will direct $857 million in surplus revenue raised through the Fair Share Amendment in 2024 to public transportation.
Most of that funding, about $780 million, would be earmarked for the MBTA. Money would cover workforce and safety spending required in response to a 2022 Federal Transit Administration investigation.
Healey's annual budget will call for steering $765 million of the $1.95 billion in available surtax funds to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and repeating that pattern every year.
The transfer would work in two different ways, according to officials. With an annual commitment, the state can borrow against the funding, unlocking approximately $5 billion in bonding capacity for capital projects, and still spend most of it on transportation needs.
Legislative leaders are likely to review and respond to Healey's transportation funding plans during the first half of 2025. The House typically debates its annual budget bill in April, followed by the Senate in May.
Source: NBC, Boston.comroad-bridge
Jan 15, 2025
roads & bridges
New Jersey Targets Zero Traffic Deaths With New Safety CommissionNew Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy launched a commission with the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries in the state within the next 15 years.
Murphy signed legislation into law on Monday creating the Target Zero Commission, which will investigate how to implement the aggressive traffic safety objectives by 2040.
“The actions we take today will ensure that New Jersey families no longer have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to traffic fatalities. The Commission will collaborate to prioritize safety and mobility, forging a clear path to making sure everyone, whether walking, biking, driving, or using public transit, can travel safely in New Jersey,” Murphy said in a statement.
The 13-member commission was approved unanimously by both chambers in New Jersey last year. Murphy added his signature to the legislation after traffic deaths and injuries have seen a sharp increase in recent years.
From 2023 to 2024, fatalities increased by 14%, and pedestrian fatalities, specifically, increased by 32%, according to the governor’s office.
“The Target Zero Commission represents a powerful collaboration between state agencies, and the people of New Jersey to achieve a singular, life-saving goal: eliminating traffic fatalities,” said Col. Patrick Callahan, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.
Source: Washington Examiner, WHYYroad-bridge
Jan 14, 2025
roads & bridges
Usdot Allots More Hurricane Helene Relief For InfrastructureThe U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Monday that it is sending an additional $353 million in relief funding to North Carolina and Tennessee to help rebuild their infrastructure in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
The funding comes after an earlier $167 million that was sent to both states after Helene devastated much of the region in September.
Most of the latest round of money — $250 million — will go toward rebuilding Interstate 40, which saw sections of road washed away during the storm and remains closed at the border between North Carolina and Tennessee.
The highway was initially scheduled to reopen in early 2025, but it is now closed indefinitely after a chunk of asphalt fell away from the roadway last month along the Pigeon River Gorge.
“Hurricane Helene devastated communities and cut off critical road infrastructure, and our Department is committed to helping repair and rebuild local infrastructure in order to support the impacted area’s long-term recovery,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “The emergency relief funding we’re announcing today will continue this important work and provide vital aid to the communities and states that have been impacted by this disaster.”
Here’s where the rest of the funding will go:
Source: BPR.org, WBIR.comroad-bridge
Jan 14, 2025
roads & bridges
Nyc Congestion Pricing Slashes Traffic By 7.5% In First WeekNew York City’s new congestion pricing program has brought traffic reductions in its first week, according to data released by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
Early data from the MTA shows a 7.5% decrease in daily traffic, or roughly 43,000 fewer cars compared to the same period last year.
Officials compared the numbers from October 2024, when roughly 642,000 vehicles drove daily into the congestion pricing zone south of 60th Street, and last week, when just 539,000 entered the zone.
The effect in New York has been most pronounced during the morning rush hour period, with travel times over certain crossings falling by 40% or more.
Juliette Michaelson, the MTA’s deputy chief of policy and external relations, said the results are already noticeable.
"Just look out the window: there is less traffic, quieter streets, and we think everyone has seen it," Michaelson said.
Traffic analyst Bob Pishue from INRIX, remains cautious.
"Fewer people are coming into Manhattan, but we’re not seeing a significant impact on speeds within the zone yet," Pishue said.
The MTA plans to monitor and analyze traffic patterns over the coming months to gauge the program’s long-term effectiveness.
Source: Fox 5, The Associated Pressroad-bridge
Jan 14, 2025
roads & bridges
Trips Initiative To Enhance Omaha’S Transportation Planning ProcessThe Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) recently received a $2 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration to launch the Transformative Regional Investment Prioritization System (TRIPS) to better align transportation projects with community needs.
The TRIPS program will change how transportation projects are “selected and prioritized” in the Omaha region, according to NDOT.
The agency added that the TRIPS program will also emphasize enhanced public engagement, empowering local communities to have direct influence on the region’s transportation future. NDOT will provide technical expertise and resources to make the program a success.
“We are excited to collaborate with MAPA on this important project,” said Vicki Kramer, Nebraska DOT director, in a statement. “TRIPS will help us make informed decisions that improve Nebraska’s transportation system and enhance residents’ quality of life.”
Several state departments of transportation have entered into similar partnerships in recent years to better align a variety of infrastructure projects with regional and/or local needs.
Source: AASHTO, NDOTroad-bridge
Jan 13, 2025
roads & bridges
Buttigieg Announces Nearly $5 Billion In Bil FundingOn Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary, Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced nearly $5 billion in grants for more than 560 projects in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories through seven programs funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Under the BIL, the funding will be allotted through the following programs: the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, the Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program, the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program, the Airport Infrastructure Grants Program, the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (Rural) and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program.
This funding will support state and locally led projects of all kinds, adding to the more than 72,000 BIL funded projects currently moving forward nationwide and the pipeline of projects that will be delivered in the coming years and decades.
Today’s awards announcements will:
In a statement, Buttigieg spoke about the funding—one of the last rounds of grants to be announced by the administration.
“Though the Biden-Harris Administration is drawing to a close, today we’re proud to announce one more major round of grants to keep that work going and further modernize our roads and rails, build out a national EV charger network, and ensure that transportation in the 21st century lives up to its basic promise and connects more communities across our nation.” Buttigieg said.
Source: The U.S. Department of Transportationroad-bridge
Jan 13, 2025
roads & bridges
Mdot Calls For Modernized Revenue StreamsThe Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) wants the legislature to find more streams of revenue. Currently, MDOT is essentially funded by a fuel tax.
MDOT Executive Director Brad White hopes lawmakers will make a significant change to the agency’s funding model during the 2025 legislative session. MDOT receives money for construction and maintenance. It’s been a long time coming since the fuel tax was adjusted, according to White.
“When I say we need to modernize our funding model, having all of our eggs in the basket of the fuel tax, I don’t think is smart. Primarily, we’re funded by the fuel tax. Over half of our budget are federal dollars that we receive from the Federal Highway Administration through their reauthorization every five years,” White said.
DOT also receives $80 million a year from the Mississippi Lottery. This annual aide will be doled out through 2028. Fees for electric vehicles and hybrids contribute, as well.
White said they want recurring funding that will set them up for long-term success. He’s also open to suggestions, including benefiting from the fuel tax.
“We’ve suggested to the legislature, ‘What if you gave us 15%?’ Like them instead of it going back into the general fund, just give us 15% the same way you do local government and force that money to go directly to the projects, directly to miners or directly to construction of new projects,” White said.
He said gaming revenue has been used to build highways in the past, and this could be an area MDOT could benefit from, but it’s up to the policymakers in terms of where their funding comes from.
White is confident that legislators can bring these ideas to the table, but it’s about both parties have a conversation to get a deal done.
Source: WJTV, Yahooroad-bridge
Jan 13, 2025
roads & bridges
Knoxville Secures $24.7 Million Grant For South Knoxville Pedestrian BridgeOfficials in Knoxville held a conference on Wednesday announcing the city was awarded a $24.7 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
The funding will go to build a pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River, which would connect South Knoxville to the University of Tennessee campus and downtown.
This was Knoxville’s third time applying for the grant to help support the bridge project.
“We are so excited to have secured the next round of funding to make the South Knoxville Pedestrian Bridge a reality,” Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “The federal RAISE grant, coupled with the $20 million from the state, will now propel this project to the next stage."
The project is estimated to cost approximately $60 million, according to city officials. With the RAISE grant and receiving $20 million from the state, the city plans to make up the $15 million difference from new development and taxes on the south waterfront.
The south waterfront is a 20-year improvement plan for almost 50 acres fronting three miles of the Tennessee River.
The new pedestrian bridge would span the river from Clancy Avenue on the south side to the pedestrian concourse on the north.
Source: WBIR, Know Newsroad-bridge
Jan 10, 2025roads & bridges
Fhwa Allots Grants For Ev Charging And Refueling InfrastructureToday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $635 million in grants to continue building out electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative fueling infrastructure with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s signature zero-emission refueling infrastructure programs.
The grants fund 49 projects that will deploy more than 11,500 EV charging ports and hydrogen and natural gas fueling infrastructure along corridors and in communities across 27 states, four federally recognized tribes and the District of Columbia.
As of today, there are more than 206,000 publicly available EV charging ports with 38,000 new public chargers turned on in 2024 thanks to private sector investment, and a combination of direct federal funding, federal tax incentives and state and local funding.
“The Biden Administration has made historic investments to support the EV transition and make sure it’s made in America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in a statement. “These investments will help states and communities build out a network of EV chargers in the coming years so that one day, finding a charge on a road trip will be as easy as filling up at a gas station.”
Out of the total investment, $368 million of the grants will be allocated for 42 community projects that expand EV charging infrastructure within communities across the country, while $268 million will go towards seven corridor fast-charging projects that build out the national charging and alternative-fueling network along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.
The buildout of hydrogen transportation fueling infrastructure complements and accelerates America’s growing hydrogen economy and meets growing market demand by targeting public investments to amplify private sector momentum in deploying zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
The awards also support the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities, with 67% of the funding going to sites located in disadvantaged communities. Investing in these communities creates jobs, reduces transportation costs, and helps mitigate healthcare costs caused by air pollution, while also ensuring all equitable access to EV charging infrastructure
A full list of grant recipients can be found here.
Source: Federal Highway Administrationroad-bridge
Jan 10, 2025roads & bridges
Milwaukee’S National Avenue To Be Revamped With $25 Million Federal GrantThe U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded $25 million to reconstruct National Avenue in Milwaukee’s south side. The funding comes from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Program.
The project calls for the reconstruction of 2.6-miles, slimming the road from four to two lanes. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the city of Milwaukee Department of Public Works are leading the project.
A focus of the project is pedestrian safety and bicycle accommodation. This includes installing ADA curb ramps, improving street lighting and updating traffic signals. The project will also feature raised bike lanes, raised crosswalks, a raised intersection and improved sidewalk space.
Project planning goes back as far as 2020, according to project plans. Currently, the project is in a preliminary design phase and construction is expected to begin in 2026.
“Whether you’re taking a bus, driving, biking, or walking, every Wisconsinite deserves to feel safe on our roads,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said in a statement. “I was proud to support this project that will make National Avenue safer for Wisconsin families and support businesses up and down this critical corridor on Milwaukee’s South Side."
The estimated project cost would be $20-25 million. The RAISE Program is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Source: CBS, The Daily Reporterroad-bridge
Jan 10, 2025