Public transportation

US DOT Awards $354.5 Million To Implement Congestion Pricing Plan Or Other Alternative Pricing Mechanism

August 14, 2007 -- Together with State and City leaders, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $354.5 million to New York to implement the Mayor’s congestion pricing program or an alternative plan achieving the same reductions in traffic congestion, within the same time frame, and also using a pricing system.    » read more »

08/14/2007 -- California Governor Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the San Francisco Bay Area’s selection for the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Urban Partnership Program:

“I am pleased that the San Francisco Bay Area was selected to be a part of the Urban Partnership Program. Since I introduced the Strategic Growth Plan for transportation, we have been working hard in California to develop effective solutions to reduce congestion and travel times and increase safety on our roads.    » read more »

8/13/2007 -- MINNEAPOLIS (NNS) -- As crews move forward in recovery efforts of the I-35 bridge collapse, multiple agencies are working together to make the job move smoothly.

“The overall coordination and support we’ve received from local, state and federal authorities have been absolutely tremendous,” Hennepin County Sheriff, Richard W. Stanek said. “The efforts that folks have been putting forth have been non-stop.”    » read more »

Collapse of Minnesota Bridge Highlights Need for Independent Review of Nation's Aging Transportation System

August 13, 2007 -- Washington, DC – In the wake of the tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called for the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission to redouble their efforts in compiling a comprehensive analysis of our nation’s transportation infrastructure.    » read more »

August 13, 2007 -- "I welcome these new requirements -- similar to reforms I have repeatedly proposed -- but they are baby steps when giant strides are needed. This and any other reforms should be enacted into law to assure they cannot be undermined or undone on a whim.    » read more »

09 August 2007 -- Emergency workers in the northern U.S. city of Minneapolis have pulled two bodies from the site of last week's deadly highway bridge collapse, raising the death toll to seven.

Authorities said the bodies, so far unidentified, were pulled from the wreckage Thursday.

Five other casualties of the bridge collapse have been identified.

Divers from the U.S. Navy and Federal Bureau of Investigation have been helping local divers search for more victims.

Authorities say the bridge collapse injured 100 others.    » read more »

August 8, 2007 -- WARRENTON - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced that the city of Warrenton has been approved for an $180,500 Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) emergency grant. The emergency grant will be utilized to replace a pedestrian railroad bridge on Steinhagen Road.

“I am pleased we are able to help the City of Warrenton replace this bridge,” Blunt said. “Public safety is one of the most important obligations government has to Missourians and this action will help keep an important passageway secure.”    » read more »

New precaution follows MN bridge collapse, Governor’s instruction to review all similar bridges

August 9, 2007 -- GLENVIEW – In response to the collapse of the bridge that was under construction in Minnesota last week, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced it will take additional steps in advance of bridge rehabilitation projects to ensure that the structures can safely carry traffic while they are under construction. This will require the temporary closure of these structures before the projects can proceed.    » read more »

Site Developed to Receive Public Input on DOT Operations

August 9, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today unveiled a website for the Governor’s Commission on the Reorganization of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and encouraged citizens to submit ideas and comments for consideration by the group.    » read more »

August 8, 2007 -- "Earlier today, I convened a meeting with my Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Infrastructure, Tim Gilchrist; Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Executive Director and CEO, Lee Sander; Port Authority Executive Director, Anthony Shorris; Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael Fleischer; Bridge Authority Executive Director George Sinnott; and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner, Astrid Glynn, along with the state’s top engineering experts and federal and city officials to review the status of all of the state’s major bridges and inspec    » read more »

August 8, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that a report from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) concludes that expanding commuter rail service to New York’s Penn Station is a “viable strategy to relieve increased congestion along the I-95 corridor and improve mobility in the region.”

In June, Governor Rell called for the review of “every available option and potential obstacle” for service for the thousands of Connecticut commuters who travel every day into New York City to locations near Penn Station.    » read more »

August 4, 2007 -- MR. STANZEL: Good morning, everyone. We are on our way to Minneapolis, Minnesota, obviously to view the damage and the collapse of the 35W bridge. I have a statement by the President about the debate on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I'll read that statement, then we're lucky to be joined today by Secretary Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation, and she can give you a sense of what's going on on the ground there in Minnesota.    » read more »

July 31, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced the nomination of Doreen M. Frasca to serve as a voting member on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board.

“At a time of unprecedented economic development in all areas of New York City, the MTA must continue to play a strong leadership role,” said Governor Spitzer. “Doreen’s exceptional background in finance and transportation consulting will provide the MTA with an invaluable resource as the Authority moves forward with critical projects.”    » read more »

NASHUA, July 27, 2007 - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today at Nashua City Hall signed a law creating the New Hampshire Rail Authority, which will oversee development and operation of commuter rail in New Hampshire.    » read more »

July 12, 2007 -- Washington, DC – The Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill unanimously approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee includes an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein that would allow for subway tunneling in parts of Los Angeles. This could help provide much needed public transit to one of the most congested regions in the country.    » read more »