Forbes reported that the last week's spending agreement did not budget money for the high-speed rail program and Associated Press wrote that Mayor Michael Bloomberg will collaborate with ex-President Bill Clinton on environmental affairs. Read more in this Infrastructure in the News.
National News
CNN: House to vote on budget-cutting deal Thursday
The package cuts funding for a wide range of domestic programs and services, including high-speed rail, emergency first responders and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Bloomberg: Rising Railroad Shipments Show U.S. Expansion Gaining Momentum
Growth in railroad-shipping volume shows the U.S. economic expansion is gaining momentum, even with rising energy prices in the first quarter.
Forbes: High-Speed Rail Drops Dead
If anything good came out of last week’s spending agreement, it was that President Obama’s high-speed rail boondoggle is now on the ropes. There is no money budgeted for the program the rest of this year, and a portion of the money allocated last year has been clawed back. This is likely a mortal blow to what the Obama administration envisioned as a $500 billion program to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail in the next 25 years.
Streetsblog Capitol Hill: Obama's Deficit Reduction plan will Look Beyond the "Twelve Percent"
The most important thing the president did for transportation in his speech is steer the scrutiny away from the 12 percent of the federal budget that pays for “education and clean energy; medical research and transportation; food safety and keeping our air and water clean.” If we’re really going to deal with the deficit, he said, we’re going to need to deal with the other 88 percent.
Streetsblog Capitol Hill: House Dems Release Alternative to GOP Budget, Separate From Obama
With the FY2011 budget finally settled, it’s time for Washington to start fighting over 2012. President Obama released his 2012 budget proposal in February. The Republicans introduced theirs last week. And the House Democrats have just released theirs.
Associated Press: Bloomberg, Clinton to merge environmental affairs
The air in Times Square is cleaner since cars were banned from two stretches of Broadway in 2009 and a pedestrian plaza created, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Wednesday as he announced an environmental collaboration with former President Bill Clinton.
The Hill: Random bus inspections working
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday that random inspections of interstate passenger buses have resulted in almost 300 unsafe drivers or buses being pulled off the road.
The Hill: Train anti-collision technology funding cut in budget deal
The funding, $50 million in the Federal Railroad Administration budget, was originally cut in the three-week continuing resolution signed by President Obama in March. The cut remained in the deal Democrats reached last week with House Republicans, which will fund the government through September and cuts $39.9 billion in spending.
The Hill: GOP Rep. Mica slams FAA decision to add air-traffic controllers
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said Wednesday the Federal Aviation Administration was wrong to add air-traffic controllers to overnight shifts at 27 airports after reports of sleeping flight-tower employees.
DOT Blog: Motor coach safety enforcement actions produce results
Ensuring the safety of our nation’s highways is a top priority for the Department of Transportation. Whether driving their cars or riding in motor coaches, America’s travelers deserve to be safe.
DOT Blog: Partnership can predict traffic and let you know before you drive
Today, I'm reading about some exciting news for commuters. A team from IBM Research, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the University of California, Berkeley, are developing the Smarter Traveler solution to help commuters avoid congestion and enable transportation agencies to better manage traffic.
Wired: IBM App Predicts How Your Commute Will Go
IBM is testing smartphone technology that can predict traffic jams and warn commuters before they ever take to the road, something it promises “will ultimately help drivers around the world.”
National Resource Defense Council: Why is the Auto Industry Repeating Discredited 60MPG Cost Claims?
The auto industry claims the cost to achieve 60 MPG is $6,435 which is about twice as high as the September 30th, 2010 estimate by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the California Air Resources Board. The source of the claim is a draft analysis by the Michigan-based Center for Automobile Research (CAR) that is available only as a presentation. (Note: It appears you cannot find the presentation on the seminars home page but must directly access it here.)
Progressive Railroading: APTA outlines latest budget cuts aimed at transit, high-speed rail
U.S. House and Senate leaders' recently negotiated a continuing resolution for the remainder of fiscal-year 2011, which averted a federal government shutdown last weekend. The measure calls for $39 billion in spending reductions from FY2010 spending levels — including steep reductions in the high-speed rail and transit programs, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
Trucking Info: Freight Shipments Fall 1.5 Percent in February from January
The amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry declined 1.5 percent in February from January, falling after two consecutive monthly increases, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Freight Transportation Services Index.
Rail Company: Amtrak announces top 5 rail priorities
They have just finished their 17th consecutive month of ridership growth, continuing a long-term trend in which Amtrak ridership has increased by more than 36% since 2000. They say they’re ‘on track for another record year’ this year too.
Vadvert: AAR Urges Congress to Continue Safety Programs
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today called on Congress to continue supporting grade crossing safety programs, tax credits that help short line railroads remain competitive and policies that encourage public-private partnerships for rail infrastructure as it considers reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
State News
Peninsula Clarion: State bridges need work
Alaska stands at 21st-worst in the nation when it comes to the structural integrity of its bridge infrastructure, according to a report release by a national transportation advocacy group.
New York Times: Renovation of a Terminal, Keyed to San Francisco
If the prospect of flying holds all the appeal of a cross-country bus trip, the $6,500, lipstick-red leather Egg chairs at San Francisco Terminal 2 are intended to return some long-lost glamour to air travel. International Airport’s
KTLA: Bus Ridership Down: Study Finds Metro Ridership Down 2 Years in a Row
Even as gas prices continue to climb, bus ridership among Angelenos has decreased for the second time in as many years, according to a study released Wednesday.
Manteca Bulletin: McNerney seeks $450M for ACE high speed rail
Congressman Jerry McNerney is behind legislation to secure $450 million in federal funds over the next 10 years to help build the Altamont Commuter Express high speed rail service between Stockton and San Jose.
Miami Herald: Miami Biking gets a new spin with improved paths, and plenty of activities
From mass charity rides to mountain-bike trails, from triathlons to urban transportation, cycling in South Florida has lately taken off like the price of gasoline. It’s no longer just for children or the hardcore Lycra brigades — though there’s plenty for them, too.
Worcester Telegram and Gazette: Building Bridges
Mind you, we’re delighted that Massachusetts would like to replace the 92-year-old bridge in Haverhill that slows the Amtrak train from Portland, Maine, the MBTA commuter train, and freight trains making their way across the Merrimack River. Upgrading that bridge would be good for everyone.
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Metro Atlanta transportation: How is it looking?
Those are some of the conclusions from the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority’s annual report on metro Atlanta’s transportation systems. The data is often more than a year old, but it paints a comprehensive picture that is hard to find anywhere else.
GPB News: Fed Cuts Could Hit Georgia
The recent Congressional budget deal includes a pullback of nearly $1.5 billion in money meant for nationwide high speed rail projects. Whether there's fallout on money tied to Georgia remains to be seen.
KATC: Speed Limit Increase Along 1-49 in Evangeline and St. Landry Parishes
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced today that the speed limit on rural portions of I-49 in Evangeline and St. Landry parishes will be raised from 70 mph to 75 mph.
Evansville Courier and Press: Future 1-69 after Gov. Daniels leaves remains uncertain
The contracts are signed, and now that the weather is improving, construction is set to begin on 65 miles of new Interstate 69 terrain.
The Detroit News: Scores of Detroit bus drivers call in sick during Lansing protest; expected back Thursday
Dozens of Detroit Department of Transportation bus drivers called in sick today, causing roughly 30-minute delays for riders, city officials said.
The Republic: Mo. House panel rejects plan for $1B in federal high-speed rail money sought by governor
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's quest for $1 billion in federal high-speed rail money suffered a setback Wednesday when a House committee defeated an attempt to include the money in a state budget bill.
Infrastructurist: What's Going on with Vegas High-Speed Rail?
On the surface, plans for the DesertXpress seem to be moving in the right direction. Late last month the Federal Railroad Administration released the final environmental impact report on the proposed high-speed rail line. Officials believe the 185-mile link between Las Vegas and Southern California could break ground by the end of this year. Once finished, the line will offer an attractive alternative to driving on Interstate 15, promising a travel time of 85 minutes against several hours on the highway.
Associated Press: Troubled dam still threatens North Dakota town
Some residents in a development along the bloated Des Lacs River brushed off warnings to evacuate ahead of a possible dam break, choosing to stay behind and shore up or pump out their homes.
The Herald Democrat: TxDOT State Highway 161 project approved
The Texas Transportation Commission gave final approval on Tuesday to an agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation, North Texas Tollway Authority, and the U.S. Department of Transportation that will advance the development of the State Highway 161 project in Irving and Grand Prairie.
Streetsblog Capitol Hill: Local Lawmakers Don't Mess With Texas Cyclists and Pedestrians
Texas cycling advocates suffered a setback when Governor Rick Perry vetoed statewide legislation that would have accomplished the same thing. But Texans are pursuing protections for cyclists and pedestrians by advancing legislation on the local level.