Bridges

More than $150 million in “shovel-ready” projects to move forward this spring through federal recovery funding

BOSTON– Friday, March 6, 2009 – Massachusetts Governor Patrick today announced the federal government has given Massachusetts the authority to spend $437.9 million on transportation projects through federal highway funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of that funding, approximately $153.2 million will be committed to “shovel-ready” projects advertised for bid within the next 120 days.    » read more »

Ten Local Bridges To Be Replaced With Recovery And Reinvestment Funds

03/02/2009 -- NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that 10 local bridges will be the first projects in Tennessee to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The 10 bridge replacement projects are scheduled for a construction letting on March 20, which means work could be underway on the projects by the end of March.    » read more »

Projects create 14,000 jobs, Perdue stresses accountability

2/24/2009 -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced 70 highway and bridge projects throughout North Carolina will soon get under way using $466 million in federal economic stimulus funding. The money is the first half the state will receive for highway improvements through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The new federal law requires states to obligate the first half of transportation stimulus money within 120 days of receipt, and the remaining half to projects within a year. According to state transportation officials, this round of infrastructure investment will create about 14,000 jobs for the state.    » read more »

$1.5 Billion Available to States for Transportation Projects

2/19/2009 -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced today she will pursue discretionary grant money included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to use for replacement of the Yadkin River Bridge on I-85 in Davidson and Rowan counties. The project is estimated to cost around $300 million. Gov. Perdue and NCDOT Secretary Gene Conti will work with Sen. Kay Hagan, Rep. Mel Watt and the rest of North Carolina’s Congressional delegation to obtain funding.    » read more »

Governor Offers Vice President Detailed Briefing on Impacts

Feb. 11, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today joined Vice President Joseph Biden on a tour of the Route 34 bridge in Cumberland County and discussed the kinds of bridge improvements that could move forward in Pennsylvania with enactment of the pending American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“Some of these bridges are as old as 80 years, are wearing out and need to be replaced as soon as possible,” Governor Rendell said. “The national stimulus plan before Congress will allow these planned replacements to start immediately rather than a year or more from now.”    » read more »

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 11, 2008) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement today regarding the fatal accident on the Bay Bridge:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those involved in the accident that took place on the Bay Bridge early Sunday morning.

The unique nature of this incident and its aftermath have posed challenges for us all, but I want to commend the response of our State and local agencies and first responders for their quick and decisive action when they arrived on the scene. I also want to recognize the tremendous effort of the bridge inspection, engineering and maintenance crews that have worked diligently the past two days to make the necessary repairs and ensure the bridge is safe for travel.    » read more »

Illinois Works invests in roads, bridges schools, creates more than 500,000 jobs

May 28, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Standing with Illinois Works Coalition Co-Chair Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones, Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross today endorsed the new $31 billion comprehensive capital infrastructure plan recommended by the Illinois Works Coalition.

Spelling-challenged Illinois road sign: Photo by thoughtquotient (CC)    » read more »

Bridge safety and maintenance of roads is focus of program; Approval of Governor’s Illinois Works capital plan would boost Illinois Economy, create 700,000 jobs and allow for expansion of the road system

May 22, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – The Blagojevich Administration today unveiled a $10.875 billion Multi-year Highway Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2009-2014 for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Illinois bridge construction: Photo by Michael Kappel (CC)    » read more »

Majority Opposes Changing Laws to Allow Bigger Rigs; Safety Advocates Warn of More Deaths, Damage to Roads and Bridges

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new national survey shows that Americans overwhelming oppose efforts by the trucking and shipping industries to relax safety standards and allow longer and heavier trucks on the nation’s highways, a coalition of safety groups announced Wednesday.    » read more »

Calls for June 23rd special session to address transportation

May 12, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today released details of his transportation plan and called for a special session of the General Assembly to address transportation on June 23.

Virginia traffic: Photo by Steve Fernie (CC)

The Governor’s plan fills our growing road and bridge maintenance deficit to promote safety, provides relief for regional transportation needs, and invests in innovative approaches to Virginia’s transportation challenges. The plan raises over $1 billion annually by fiscal year 2012 and contains no gas tax increase.    » read more »

Five-Day Celebration to Feature Special Bridge Lighting, Film Series, Concerts, Lectures, Bike Tour, Children's Readings and other Family-Friendly Cultural Events

May 12, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz today announced plans for a five-day celebration in honor of the 125th birthday of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge in fog: Photo by Your Guide (CC)    » read more »

04/11/2008 -- Celebrating a milestone for one of the busiest bridges in the nation, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today attended the opening for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge West Approach. Cost of the seismic retrofit project is $429 million and it has created thousands of jobs.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attends opening for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge West Approach: Photo courtesy California Governor's office    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Responding to growing concern over the condition of bridges around the State and to a November 2007 study, “Keeping Our Bridges Safe,” Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today submitted bipartisan legislation that will invest an additional $160 million over four years in bridge construction and preservation.

Iron bridge over Crooked River on Ryefield Bridge Road, Otisfield Gore, Maine: Photo by Bob Travis (CC)    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today signed House Bill 3096 to fund a new State Route 520 bridge. The bill closes the funding gap by authorizing tolls on SR 520 to match the state and federal contributions of nearly $2 billion. Up to $2 billion is expected to be raised through tolls. The bridge is planned to be opened to drivers in 2014, four years earlier than initially projected.

Winds batter Washington State's SR 520 floating bridge: (Photo: Greg Barnes)

“This is a pivotal step towards a safer, less congested SR 520 bridge,” Gregoire said. “The new bridge will create more consistent drive times for commuters, transit users and businesses.”    » read more »

Washington, DC - March 3, 2008 - All 50 states received report cards today evaluating each state government’s performance in serving the public. Grading the States 2008 is the only 50-state assessment of its kind that evaluates and grades each state based on a range of areas, from budget and finance to roads and bridges. The report demonstrates the importance of state governments that work better and cost less, particularly in the wake of widespread budget deficits and a weakening national economy.    » read more »