Highways

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 »

Risks, Costs Far Outweigh Claimed Productivity Gains; Statement of Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen

May 14, 2008 -- This statement was given at a news conference.

Thank you for joining us this morning. Today, we are here to make the case against allowing bigger, heavier and longer trucks onto our highways.

Truck crash: Photo by Daniel Gasienica (CC)

I’m joined by several people who have lost loved ones in crashes involving large trucks and a state trooper who was injured in a serious truck crash while protecting the public. They will share their stories with you.    » 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 »

Hoffa Says Congress Shouldn’t Consider ‘Crazy’ Plan

May 14, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Wednesday urged Congress to ignore trucking industry lobbyists who want to let dangerous large trucks on our highways.

Container trucks on a US highway: Photo by futureatlas.com (CC)

A trucking industry group called “Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation” is lobbying Congress this week for a pilot program to let bigger trucks on the road in five, possibly six states.

The states are Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Georgia and possibly Texas.    » 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 »

April 22, 2008 -- DES MOINES – Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed Senate File 2420, which will secure new funding for Iowa ’s transportation system.

“As Governor, one of my top priorities has been to build on Iowa ’s strengths in education, manufacturing and agriculture and financial services to create jobs in every corner of the state,” said Governor Culver.

Iowa highway: Photo by VideoVik (CC)

“The good news is the jobs are coming, but we must have the infrastructure in place to keep pace and grow our economy. Today, we’re taking another essential step toward doing just that.”    » read more »

Offenders to work an estimated 35,000 hours this year

April 21, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Spring cleaning of Minnesota roadways gets underway today with the help of offender work crews and Adopt-a-Highway volunteers. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the fourth annual “Operation Clean-Up” to pick up litter along the state’s highways from now through September.

Adopt-a-highway sign, Highway 63 south of Zumbro Falls, Minnesota: Photo by Alexei & Verne Stakhanov (CC)    » read more »

Calls Problem A ‘Wake Up Call’ For National Infrastructure Funding

March 18, 2008 -- PHILADELPHIA – PennDOT and contractors are working around the clock to re-open a two-mile section of Interstate 95, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today during a press conference under a damaged section of the highway. He said he is cautiously optimistic that the interstate will reopen by Wednesday night.

Deserted I-95 highway in Pennsylvania: Photo by Kyle Gradinger (CC)    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- Waterbury, VT – Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations.

Moose: Photo by Steve Wall (CC)

More moose are hit by motorists in May and June than at any other time of the year. There is smaller peak of activity in September and October, the breeding season for moose.    » read more »

IDOT to upgrade emergency phones and cameras at rest areas, statewide; will provide extra measure of security for motorists, traveling in Illinois

April 13, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced upgrades are underway to security systems at Illinois rest areas.

Illinois highway: Photo by tlindenbaum (CC)

New security cameras and emergency phones will be installed at locations where they are needed, providing motorists added security when they stop at rest areas along interstate highways in Illinois.    » 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 10, 2008 -- Everything looks better after a good scrubbing and Michigan's roadsides are no exception. Adopt-A-Highway volunteers will help make Michigan beautiful by cleaning up litter during the first pickup of the season April 19-27.

"We're hoping for great weather during this year's first pickup by our 27,000 volunteers," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle.

Roadside litter: Photo by Topato (CC)    » read more »

04/08/2008 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following proclamation declaring the week of April 7-11, 2008, as "Work Zone Awareness Week" in California:

PROCLAMATION

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is home to some of the best workers in the world, and their ability to build, repair and maintain thousands of miles of streets, highways and related infrastructure is remarkable.

Road crew: Photo by Richard Masoner (CC)

Doing this work, however, can pose serious risks, and hundreds of workers are killed in work zones around the country each year.    » read more »

Traffic safety increased with strategic highway safety plan

April 3, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire announced today that the number of people who died on Washington roads in 2007 is down markedly from the previous year. As of April 1, 567 people were reported to have died in traffic crashes in 2007 — down from 625 in 2006.

Flood on I-5 highway in Centralia, Washington: Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and State Patrol Chief John Batiste view the flood on I-5 in Centralia, Dec. 4, 2007. WSDOT photo by Jim Culp.    » read more »

Two grants valued at $5 million each to speed construction of Hawk's Nest and Rockhouse sections

April 4, 2008 -- ABINGDON – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced two $5 million Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund grants for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to advance construction of two sections of the Coalfields Expressway in southwestern Virginia.

“The Coalfields Expressway comes closer to being a reality today,” Governor Kaine said. “These two grants, coupled with potential federal funds, will allow us to advance this much-anticipated project for Virginia.”    » read more »