Highways

June 2, 2009 -- Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to a study issued today by the RAND Corporation.

Transportation policymakers often look to congestion pricing — charging drivers more to travel particular routes at peak travel times — as a way to reduce traffic gridlock and raise money for transportation projects. However, because these policies impose a cost on something that previously was not priced, critics often suggest that it will harm lower-income drivers who will be forced to pay additional costs or be "priced off" the roads.    » read more »

Projects will create and sustain thousands of jobs

5/29/2009 -- Raleigh -- North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue today announced that contracts have been awarded for 17 additional highway projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The contracts total $102.8 million and were awarded by Transportation Secretary Gene Conti to the lowest respective bidder, as required by state law. A list of the projects is attached.

“These projects will help create and sustain thousands of jobs and provide needed economic development in counties throughout North Carolina,” said Perdue. “They will improve critical routes to help better connect North Carolinians around the state.”    » read more »

May 29, 2009 -- (Lincoln, Neb.) -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today announced the distribution of more than $22 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for upgrades to state highways.

The six projects make up the third group of state projects to be awarded ARRA funding in Nebraska.

This phase of improvements includes:    » read more »

Routes 5A and 69 Resurfacing Underway; Includes Curbing, Drainage, Sidewalks and Signal Replacement Work

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the start of construction on the $2.4 million project to resurface State Routes 5A and 69 in Oneida County, the first American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) construction contract awarded in the Mohawk Valley.

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Utica Regional Director Michael Shamma today broke ground on the project, which was certified by Governor Paterson in March. Crews will resurface eight miles of pavement on Route 69 in the villages of Oriskany and Whitesboro and the town of Whitestown, and Route 5A in the village of Yorkville and town of Whitestown.    » read more »

Milestone Makes More Federal Funding Possible; New York Reaches Goal More Than One Month Before Federal Deadline

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State has reached a significant milestone in administering federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

The Federal Highway Administration has obligated more than $392 million of ARRA highway funds for projects Governor Paterson has certified as eligible for any ARRA funding, making the State eligible for any ARRA highway funds that other states fail to use.    » read more »

Requests $20 million to fix traffic hot-spots in Maryland to meet federal responsibility, take burden off local taxpayer

27 May, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) announced today she has requested $20 million in fiscal year 2010 federal funding to help Maryland communities manage growth related to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendations. The funding will greatly improve safety and access to military bases in Maryland and ease traffic congestion stemming from BRAC-related growth in the area.    » read more »

May 27, 2009 -- GOLDENDALE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and the Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond today announced that Granite Northwest, Inc. was awarded two paving contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The Yakima-based paving contractor submitted low bids for a $3 million paving contract for 12 miles of US 97 and a $370,000 chip seal paving contract for six miles of SR 14, both in Klickitat County. Both contracts will support an estimated 40 direct and indirect jobs in local communities.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- MADISON - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced a second round of bid openings for road and bridge projects in Wisconsin that will benefit from funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Bids will be opened tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, for 38 state and local road and bridge projects around the state.

“We’re moving quickly to put contracts in place for projects ready to go this construction season,” Governor Doyle said. “Contractors already have workers out on job sites from the first group of ARRA projects bid last month. This next round of bids will put even more people to work this summer, providing the economic stimulus to lead the nation and state to economic recovery.”    » read more »

Grants Can Help Reduce Highway Deaths, Improve Access to Mass Transit

May 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $4.3 million in new federal funding to both the City of Trenton and Rutgers University for highway safety programs and new research on public transportation. The City of Trenton’s funding will support highway safety programs in Trenton and Mercer County and Rutgers’ funding will support mass transit research, including studies of rail station access shuttles, transit-supportive residential development and the impact of low-cost bus service.    » read more »

Total Economic Recovery Investment for Road and Bridge Projects in Region Reaches $43.3 Million

May 21, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $135.3 million for highway and bridge improvements through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding will allow 48 new projects to move forward, creating an estimated 3,247 jobs across the State, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Today’s announcement brings the total number of ARRA-certified transportation projects to 174 at a cost of $680.9 million, of which the federal stimulus package has provided $522.9 million.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- ATLANTA - Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Georgia transportation officials and the State Farm Insurance Co. today announced a new collaborative sponsorship designed to create a long-term, supplemental funding source for the Department's Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program.

"We know that incident management is one of the most effective, efficient methods to relieving congestion," Governor Perdue said. "This partnership ensures sustainable funding is available to keep our HERO trucks busy clearing wrecks and keeping traffic moving."    » read more »

Produce Cost Savings Of $3 Million

May 19, 2009 -- PHOENIX—As summer approaches, so does the beginning of construction for several highway projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Arizona Department of Transportation has been busy moving these 41 projects forward through the bid process – and realizing cost savings that will help boost the state’s economy.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, and Representative Ben Ray Luján, today announced Ramah Navajo Chapter is the nation’s first Tribe to receive direct road repair funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Ramah is expected to receive more than $644,000 from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help resurface approximately 10 miles of Ramah Navajo Route 25 – also known as Veterans Highway – on the tribe’s 168,000-acre reservation.

“This significant grant will improve Ramah Navajo Route 25, making it safer for all who travel on it,” Bingaman said. “I am very glad that New Mexico is the first recipient of funding from this very important Indian Rural Roads initiative.”    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and Washington Transportation Sec. Paula Hammond today announced a $3 million paving contract with Central Washington Asphalt, Inc. for projects in Eastern Washington.

These projects use funds received under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Construction begins in two weeks and is expected to support at least 30 jobs.

“Washington is putting federal dollars to work quickly and responsibly to improve our roads while getting people back to work,” Gregoire said. “I commend Sec. Hammond on her effectiveness in making our roads safer while getting these dollars out into the economy.”    » read more »

Waterloo, Sioux Center Receive New Street Funding, Investments Made in Freight Rail

May 12, 2009 -- AMES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver today announced that the Iowa Transportation Commission has approved funding to aid in the completion of several key infrastructure projects across the state. Up to $402,887 was approved through the state’s Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) program for Waterloo and Sioux Center, while four freight rail improvement projects totaling $5 million were approved.    » read more »