Highways

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 »

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.

PennDOT detour around the I-95 closure, Pennsylvania    » read more »

Mar 19, 2008 -- BATON ROUGE- Today, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced eleven new appointments and four reappointments to the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission. The four reappointments include Alexis Hocevar, of New Orleans, Price Leblanc, Jr., of Metairie, Arthur Tait, of Shreveport, and Cloid White, of Winnsboro.

The Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission regulates and licenses motor vehicle manufacturers, distributers, dealers, and leasers. All members are appointed by the governor and subject to senate confirmation. Ray Brandt will serve as chairman.

Appointments to the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission    » 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 »

February 9, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that she has submitted legislation directing that no new contracts for billboards on state-owned property be allowed and that existing billboard contracts not be renewed when they expire.

To lessen distraction on state roadways, the governor’s bill would also allow the state to stop issuing permits after June 1 for the erection of any outdoor advertising structure whose message periodically changes by electronic means.    » read more »

Federal Funding Benefits Various Traffic Safety Initiatives

January 30, 2008 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced highway safety programs across the state will receive nearly $25 million in grants from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). The Federal highway safety grants will be distributed among nearly 700 state, local and not-for-profit agencies to conduct various highway and traffic safety initiatives.    » read more »

Coalition of Safety Advocates Urges Federal Transportation Officials to Intervene

Jan. 28, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A proposal by Maine officials to allow trucks weighing up to 105,000 pounds full access to the state’s highways and bridges greatly increases the likelihood of a catastrophic bridge collapse similar to the one in Minneapolis last summer, a coalition of safety groups said Friday.    » read more »

Jan. 28 -- Several highways are closed around Arizona, due to severe flooding from winter storms.

Closures include:

State Route 89A is closed in both directions from mileposts 375 to 397 (which is north of Sedona).

State Route 288 is closed in both directions at milepost 286.

U.S. 180 from mileposts 230 to 250 (north of Flagstaff) is closed due to heavy snow.

Now open:

State Route 88 was reopened at milepost 213 in Apache Junction at 9:30 p.m. tonight.

State Route 74 was reopened at 4:00 p.m. today between mileposts 24 to 30.    » read more »

19 December 2007 -- A massive network of long distance highways, designed to connect more than half of the China's 1.3 billion people, is nearing completion.

Chinese officials say the vast bulk of the 35,000-kilometer-long network of highways will be completed by the end of this year, after nearly 15 years of construction.    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- CHICAGO -- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Milton R. Sees announced the agency will be giving motorists a break by suspending lane closures where possible over the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday weekends. Secretary Sees also urged drivers to closely monitor weather reports before beginning any long distance car trips, and to check IDOT’s web site – www.gettingaroundillinois.com - for travel directions and the latest information on winter road conditions across the state. Information is also available by phone from a toll-free hotline.    » read more »

As Paving Season Ends and Pothole Repair Season Begins, Mayor Reminds New Yorkers to Call 311 to Report Potholes

December 17, 2007 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that Department of Transportation (DOT) crews were on pace this year to pave the 5,000th lane-mile of street since 2002, and to announce the traditional kick off to pothole season in New York. Fully one quarter of City streets have been repaved under the Bloomberg Administration.    » read more »

12/14/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Caltrans worker Matthew White of Sacramento, CA:

"Maria and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Caltrans employee Matthew White. Every day on the job, he brought great dedication and commitment and we are forever grateful for his service to the people of California. Our prayers are with Matthew's family during this painful time and we join all Californians in praying for their comfort."    » read more »

November 14, 2007 -- WALKER COUNTY — Colorado Governor Bob Riley today was on hand to open 26 miles of the future Interstate 22, known as Corridor X. The 26 miles that were opened today go from Jasper to Graysville.

“We have all seen the evidence of Alabama’s exponential economic growth over recent years,” said Governor Riley. “New businesses, new industry, and a new way of thinking are driving Alabama. This interstate, when completed, will be essential in helping Alabama recruit even more business, because it will allow for more open channels of transportation.”    » read more »

Tri-state Traffic Safety Initiative Targets Thanksgiving Holiday

November 08, 2007 -- MONTGOMERY — Alabama Governor Bob Riley joined the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Tennessee Highway Patrol and sheriff and police departments throughout Alabama in announcing Thursday an intensive joint initiative to reduce traffic fatalities and increase safety during the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., 11/1/2007 -- Robert L. Darbelnet, President & CEO, AAA:

I appreciate the opportunity to be here today and to discuss what is arguably one of the hottest topics in transportation right now – public private partnerships.

But first, allow me to deliver a message on behalf of our 50 million plus members. It’s a simple message of appreciation – thank you.

Thank you for designing and building the finest network of highways, roads, bridges, tunnels and other transportation assets in the history of mankind.    » read more »