At a joint visit to U.S. DOT headquarters in Washington, D.C., President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden announced that funding had been approved for the 2,000th transportation project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), just six weeks after approval of the first project. According to the press release, state departments of transportation across the country also have reported to FHWA strong competition among contractors for ARRA projects, leading to lower project bids that are allowing states to use recovery funding for additional projects. For more information, link to the press release. (4-13-09)

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Eight national wildlife refuges will receive a total of $10 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for road repairs, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced. The stimulus funding was dedicated to FHWA’s Refuge Roads Program, which supports the maintenance of over 4,800 miles of existing public roads that provide access to the National Wildlife Refuge System. For more information, link to the press release and FHWA’s Refuge Roads Program website. (4-2-09)

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U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has approved demonstration projects that will build new toll lanes to relieve congestion on two highways in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The projects, which are the first to receive slots under the Federal Highway Administration’s Express Lanes Demonstration Program, will add 28 miles of tolled express lanes to the Interstate 635 Corridor and 36 miles of tolled lanes as part of the North Tarrant Express project. The new lanes will feature variable pricing depending on the time of day or level of traffic and the tolls will be collected electronically. For more information, link to the news release and FHWA’s Express Lanes Demonstration Program website. (3-23-09)

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The U.S. Department of Transportation has committed $900 million through 2016 to fund the first phase of a $3.1 billion rail extension connecting the Washington, D.C., area's Metrorail transit system to Dulles International Airport, the region's busiest airport. At a ceremony attended by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, the Virginia congressional delegation, and local transportation officials, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced the full funding agreement for the Wiehle Avenue Extension of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The project will extend an 11.7-mile heavy rail line along the Dulles Corridor in northern Virginia to Reston, Va.; the planned second phase of the project will extend the line beyond Dulles Airport into Loudon County, Va. According to Secretary LaHood, the project “comes at a pivotal point as the Obama administration begins to make vast improvements to our nation's top transit systems.” For more information, link to the press release and the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project website. (3-10-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has published information on $8.4 billion in funding for public transportation capital improvements provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The notice includes a summary of the ARRA as it relates to public transportation programs; describes the FTA programs funded by the legislation, including dollar amounts and program requirements for eligible projects; and specifies reporting and application requirements for the different formula programs. The notice also includes tables that apportion funds distributed by formula. The notice does not allocate funds to New/Small Starts projects or other transit discretionary programs, which will be addressed in subsequent notices. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (3-5-09)

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President Barack Obama, along with Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, marked the release of $26.6 billion in highway infrastructure funding to state and local transportation authorities at a ceremony March 3 at U.S. DOT headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to the press release, state highway departments have already identified over 100 transportation projects across the country totaling more than $750 million, with many more expected to follow. Information about the disbursement of funds and the progress of state projects receiving funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be posted online at the administration’s website, www.recovery.gov. For more information, link to the press release. (3-3-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration has issued the certificate of apportionment of $27.5 billion in Highway Infrastructure Investment funding appropriated in fiscal year 2009 pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The notice describes the availability of funding, background information, distribution of funds, and applicable redistribution provisions. For more information, link to FHWA Notice N 4510.705. (3-2-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration has published guidance on implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, enacted on Feb. 17, which includes $27.5 billion in funding for modernizing transportation infrastructure. The guidance provides information on funding, project selection, eligible activities, and specific requirements. For more information, link to the ARRA Implementing Guidance and FHWA’s Economic Recovery website. (2-26-09)

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The U.S. Department of Transportation has withdrawn a Jan. 21, 2009, proposal to amend the federal program for credit assistance for surface transportation projects under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). The proposed rule would have incorporated changes required by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and changes based on DOT’s experience administering the program. The proposal is being withdrawn to allow the new Obama administration to review the program. For more information, link to the notice of withdrawal. (2-25-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration’s Highways For LIFE program has published the latest issue of its Innovator newsletter for advancing implementation of innovative technologies and processes in the highway industry. The February/March 2009 issue highlights the use of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques to speed project delivery times. The process involves prefabricating all or portions of a bridge offsite and then moving it into place at the bridge site in as little as a number of hours or a weekend. Additional benefits of using ABC techniques include decreased environmental impact, improved work zone safety, and lower costs. The newsletter also documents the successful use of ABC techniques in Utah and South Carolina. For more information, link to the Innovator, Issue 11. (February/March 2009)

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The Federal Highway Administration has issued a report examining the possible effects of commercial electronic variable message signs (CEVMS) on driving safety. The report concludes that current research is inconclusive regarding whether CEVMS are detrimental to driver safety. It recommends a long-term research program in three stages: determination of distraction, basis for possible regulation, and relationship of distraction to crashes. It also recommends an on-road instrumented vehicle study as part of a first phase study . For more information, link to The Possible Effects of Commercial Electronic Variable Message Signs (CEVMS) on Driving Safety - Phase 1. (2-4-09)

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New U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced the creation of a team to coordinate the department’s role in President Obama’s economic recovery program. The new Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) team is charged with ensuring that funding is quickly made available to states and localities for transportation infrastructure projects. The team also will identify and prioritize key spending areas and develop reporting standards. For more information, link to the press release. (2-4-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has launched a website featuring information and resources on its State of Good Repair (SGR) initiative for maintaining the condition of the nation’s aging transit infrastructure. The initiative began in 2008 through discussions with state departments of transportation, public transit providers, and industry stakeholders on issues including: recapitalization and maintenance, asset management, innovative financing strategies, measuring the condition of transit capital assets, prioritizing local reinvestment, preventative maintenance practices, and research on required tools for repairs and upgrades. The website includes a report describing the initiative, a list of fiscal year 2009 SGR deliverables, presentations from the August 2008 State of Good Repair Summit, and other resources. For more information, link to State of Good Repair website. (2-3-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review has revised its Environmental Review Toolkit website of information and resources on environmental streamlining and stewardship for FHWA divisions, state departments of transportation, resource agencies, and consultants. The new homepage includes links to special features, news and updates, and FHWA and resource agency streamlining contacts. The website also features links to the following program areas: Planning & Environmental Linkages; NEPA and Project Development; Streamlining/Stewardship; Historic Preservation; Section 4(f); and Environmental Competency Building. For more information, link to the Environmental Review Toolkit Homepage. (2-2-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has posted to its website updated information and guidance for FTA grantees and stakeholders on the expected funding for transportation projects under the federal economic recovery legislation currently before Congress. The guidance includes an overview of issues requiring immediate attention from state and local governments and public transportation providers to prepare projects for funding that could come immediately following enactment of the legislation. The guidance also includes a list of recommended actions to expedite delivery of economic recovery funds. The recommended actions address projects not yet included in the TIP, STIP, or Long-Range Plan; air quality attainment and nonattainment conditions; projects with an incomplete environmental review process; capital cost, contracting, and procurement issues; transportation air quality conformity exempt projects; and categorical exclusions. The FTA’s website also allows users to sign up for automatic updates on economic recovery information and guidance as the legislation progresses. For more information, link to Economic Recovery: Guidance for FTA Grantees and Stakeholders. (1-30-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has announced the availability of a discussion paper on the evaluation of economic development impacts of projects seeking funding under the New Starts program. The paper addresses one possible approach to the evaluation of economic development criteria, which the agency considers along with local project commitment to make funding decisions under the program. FTA intends to consider any comments it receives in developing policy guidance for the evaluation of economic development. Comments are due March 27, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (1-26-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration is soliciting proposals for fiscal year 2009 funding under the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program (formally the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands program). The program, which is administered in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service, funds capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation systems such as buses, trams, and nonmotorized transport  in federally-managed parks and public lands. Proposals are due Feb. 27, 2009. For more information, link to Notice of Funding Availability: Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program. (1-23-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration has withdrawn its guidelines for preparing environmental assessments pursuant to NEPA (circular C5620.1). According to the agency the guidance, which was issued in 1979, is outdated and should not be used or cited in documents prepared for federally funded transit projects. FTA intends to issue new guidance at a later date. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (1-21-09)

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A proposed rule issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation would amend the federal program for credit assistance for surface transportation projects under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). The proposal would incorporate changes required by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and changes based on DOT’s experience administering the program. Proposed changes include reducing the minimum project size eligible for TIFIA assistance and broadening the categories of eligible projects to include assistance for private rail facilities benefiting highway users and surface transportation infrastructure modifications necessary to provide direct intermodal transfer and access to port terminals. The proposal also would limit the amount of TIFIA assistance in certain instances, modify interest rate and financing provisions, change the term sheet requirements, and reorganize provisions. Comments are due March 23, 2009. For more information, link to the proposed rule. (1-21-09)

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A grant from the Federal Transit Administration will provide $308.6 million to help fund the 12.1 mile West Corridor Light Rail Project in the metropolitan Denver area. In an agreement signed with Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), FTA will commit the funds to begin construction of the first transit corridor project in RTD’s FasTracks program to expand bus and rail service in the Denver metro region. The FasTracks program, scheduled to be completed in 2017, will expand and create new rail corridors, bus rapid transit, parking facilities, and bus service across the eight-county RTD. For more information, link to the FTA news release and the FasTracks website. (1-16-09)

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The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia departments of transportation have signed an agreement to reconstruct and expand 1,054 miles of the Interstate 95 corridor to accommodate increasing traffic volumes. The agreement was signed as part of the Corridors of the Future Program, a federal initiative to develop multi-state corridors to reduce congestion that includes the I-10, I-15, I-69, and I-70 corridors. For more information, link to the news release and the Corridors of the Future website. (1-16-09)

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The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has published the 2009 edition of its annual quick reference guide to changes in the transportation system since 1970, including data on the transportation safety and security, mobility, transportation and the economy, and the transportation and the environment. The free publication is available for ordering at the BTS bookstore or for online access link to Pocket Guide to Transportation 2009. (1-16-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation have announced their intention to continue the early scoping process as part of the environmental review of proposed transportation improvement alternatives for an 85-mile section of the Florida East Coast Railway corridor between Miami and Tequesta, Fla. The agencies will continue the early scoping and planning-level National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Florida’s Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) process initiated in 2006 for the South Florida East Coast Corridor Transit Analysis. The process is intended to lead to the selection of one or more locally-preferred transportation improvement alternatives. Scoping meetings are scheduled from Jan. 21-Feb. 25, 2009, at various locations. Comments are due March 10, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice. (1-13-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration’s Resource Center has published the Winter 2009 issue of its Environmental Quarterly newsletter. The issue features a preview of the upcoming 88^th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board on Jan. 11-15, 2009, which will address climate change and transportation issues. The newsletter also includes an interview with the new director of FHWA’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review, highlights of the Texas DOT Environmental Coordinators Conference held in October 2008, and an article on the 40^th anniversary of the National Trails System. For more information, link to the Winter 2009 Environmental Quarterly. (1-7-09)

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The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Real Estate Services has published the Fall 2008 edition of its newsletter, which includes highlights of an international scanning tour of right-of-way (ROW) and utility processes. In September 2008 a team of professionals from FHWA, state departments of transportation, private industry, and academia met with transportation officials from Australia and Canada to discuss streamlining and integration of ROW and utility processes with project planning, environmental review, design, and construction to improve project delivery. The newsletter also features activities of various transportation partners, pilot projects, research, and upcoming conferences. For more information, link to the Fall 2008 Office of Real Estate Services Newsletter. (1-5-09)

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The Federal Transit Administration is soliciting comments on proposed guidance on the application of a provision of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) regarding the acquisition of railroad right-of-way for transit projects. The provision allows a grant applicant under certain conditions to acquire pre-existing railroad right-of-way prior to completion of the environmental review of a transportation project that will eventually use that right-of-way. Comments are due Jan. 21, 2009. For more information, link to the Federal Register notice and FTA’s Real Estate webpage. (12-22-08)

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