National News
The Hill: Federal safety agency investigating another autopilot crash
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/286895-report-federal-safety-agency-investigating-another-crash-involving
A federal safety agency has opened a second investigation into a crash involving a Tesla Motors car that was equipped with autopilot technology, The New York Times reported.
Next City: DOT Challenge Aims to Reconnect Cities Severed by Highways
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/dot-launches-design-challenge-every-place-counts
The first Every Place Counts workshop, part of a U.S. DOT initiative to reconnect communities severed by mid-century highway building, kicked off in Spokane, Washington, Thursday. Over the course of two days, local officials, business leaders and residents will receive technical support from transportation officials and urban designers to reimagine the area where I-90 cuts through the city.
The Inquirer: Uber, PPA make up while SEPTA tries to make do
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20160707_Uber__PPA_make_up_while_Septa_tries_to_make_do.html
The crack in SEPTA's rail cars has led Uber and the Philadelphia Parking Authority to heal their own breach. The city regulatory authority and the ride-hailing app giant have reached a temporary agreement to allow Uber to operate legally in Philadelphia. This comes just a week after state legislators said a bill that would have regulated the hail-by-app industry was too unwieldy to vote on before the summer recess.
The Construction Index: Contest for infrastructure innovation funding
http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/contest-for-infrastructure-innovation-funding
The aim of the competition is to encourage the development of business-led innovative solutions. They might help to provide affordable, sustainable and secure energy, or provide connected transport, urban living and integrated infrastructure. They will also help ensure infrastructure can be resilient to environmental and social pressures.
Daily Energy Insider: Senate prepares for hearing on energy infrastructure security legislation
https://dailyenergyinsider.com/policy-and-regulation/1099-senate-prepares-hearing-energy-infrastructure-security-legislation/
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing next week to hear testimony on the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act of 2016.
The Huffington Post: Cities can decouple pollution from growth
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenspeter-saul/cities-can-decouple-pollu_b_10876308.html
From July 10 decision makers from all over the world gather at the World Cities Summit in Singapore. Waste-to-energy plants and other smart approaches can help them save money while at the same time create a more sustainable environment.
State News
Washington Post: Metro’s Orange, Silver and Blue lines beset by track issues in area that was part of SafeTrack’s second surge
Switch and signal issues have plagued the eastern end of three Metro lines this week– an area where the transit agency concluded work Sunday as part of its second SafeTrack surge, which involved track rebuilding from the Eastern Market to Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue stations.
Wall Street Journal: Feud Reaches New Low at Harbor
http://www.wsj.com/articles/feud-reaches-new-low-at-harbor-1467940442
A lot has changed around the waterfront surrounding New York City in the last 60 years. One thing that hasn’t: the acrimonious relationship between unionized dockworkers and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, the bistate body tasked with weeding out corruption in the shipping industry.
The Blade: Strickland presents infrastructure plan
http://www4.toledoblade.com/Politics/2016/07/08/Strickland-presents-infrastructure-plan.html
In a speech Thursday at East Toledo’s Tribute Memorial Park, former Ohio governor and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Ted Strickland outlined a plan to heighten government focus on infrastructure and criticized his opponent, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), for not supporting similar projects to create jobs.
AJC: Fulton residents to vote on transportation sales tax this fall
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/fulton-residents-to-vote-on-transportation-sales-t/nrtT8/
Leaders of 13 cities and Fulton County agreed Thursday that they would sign a contract that will put a proposed sales tax increase of three quarters of a penny on the November ballot.
Providence Journal: Elzora proposes $40 million Providence infrastructure, facilities bond
http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160707/elorza-proposes-40-million-providence-infrastructure-facilities-bond
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced Thursday he wants to seek city voter approval of a $40 million bond that would pay for improvements to city streets, sidewalks, parks and recreational facilities.
Fox News: Despite ongoing infrastructure problems, Baltimore City reports main breaks down in 2016
http://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/despite-ongoing-infrastructure-problems-city-reports-main-breaks-down-in-2016
While Baltimore continues to encounter issues with its water infrastructure, the City announced on Thursday that water main breaks actually declined by nearly a third over last year and by 39 percent since 2014.
The Daily Journal: Investment in sustainability, infrastructure and safety
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/opinions/2016-07-08/op-ed-investment-in-sustainability-infrastructure-and-safety/1776425164701.html
Recently, the San Mateo City Council passed the largest two-year budget for any city in San Mateo County history at just under $1 billion — more than $300 million operating expenses and $670 million in capital improvement projects. The budget restores funding to many departments that were hard hit by the Great Recession.
Miami Herald: Miami Beach to weigh choices for SoBe streetcar
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article88368672.html
In an effort to jumpstart a rail connection across Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach is expediting the process to build a nearly $400 million light rail loop in South Beach by selecting a design first and then negotiating a price.
Fox News: Michigan Bridge Research
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/content/news/Michigan-Bridge-Research-385994321.html
Michigan State University is getting $2 million to enhance research on the nation's transportation infrastructure, specifically its bridges. The East Lansing school says a Lansing-area couple designated money from their estate to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering to fund an endowed faculty chair with an emphasis on bridge research.
TechRepublic: How LA is now saving $9M a year with LED streetlights and converting them into EV charging stations
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-la-is-now-saving-9m-a-year-with-led-streetlights-and-converting-them-into-ev-charging-stations/
The City of Los Angeles is replacing all of its old sodium-vapor streetlights with smart LED versions that use less energy and save money. And, the resulting savings and excess power is being reinvested in new electric vehicle charging stations attached to the streetlight poles.