Related Links: U.S.-Russia Trade Bill on Fast Track to Passage (ENR 7/30/12) Text of House Ways and Means Committee-approved bill Construction-equipment manufacturers and other business groups are gearing up to push for House approval in September of a trade bill that observers say would expand U.S. exports to Russia.The legislation would grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with the U.S. That PNTR status would mean U.S. construction-equipment manufacturers would be eligible for tariff cuts and mechanisms for resolving trade disputes that Russia is putting in place as a new member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).Supporters of the pending
Related Links: ARTBA comments filed on fuel standard, trust fund impact DOT fuel-economy Web page, including final rule, fact sheet The Obama administration has approved new, tougher fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said will save motorists more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs and trim U.S. fuel consumption by 12 billion barrels by 2025.But construction industry officials worry that the projected fuel saving from the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards also will translate to a deep cut in projected gasoline and diesel tax revenue flowing to the Highway Trust Fund. The
Related Links: DOT's State-by-State Lists of Unobligated Earmarked Funding, Old Projects DOT Press Release Announcing Funding-Transfer Plan The Dept. of Transportation says states will be able to transfer $473.4 million designated years ago for specific projects, but never spent, to other transportation work. Under the plan, which DOT announced on Aug. 17, states have until Oct. 1 to identify projects to which they want their shares of the funds to go. The aid must be obligated by Dec. 31.But Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.), a senior Appropriations Committee member, blasted the plan, saying DOT announced it without consulting any members of
Related Links: DOT's Federal Register Notice of Funding Availability for TIFIA DOT's TIFIA Home Page The newly enacted transportation bill gives a giant boost to a U.S. Dept. of Transportation loan program for major highway and transit projects. The line is already starting to form for the loans, which could total more than $16 billion over the next two years.DOT's "bank" was created in 1998 by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to provide loans and other credit assistance to help fund large projects. After relatively modest demand in TIFIA's first decade, interest took off in 2010. For
Related Links: DOT state-by-state lists of earmarked funds, projects In a move that should give a boost to heavy infrastructure construction, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation is allowing states to transfer $473.4 million in highway funds earmarked years ago, but unspent, to other projects that can use the money now.Under the transfer program, which DOT Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Aug. 17, governors have until Oct. 1 to identify the projects on which they want to use their shares of the $473.4 million. Funds must be obligated by Dec. 31. The aid can go to highway, transit, passenger rail or
Related Links: FHWA Buy America Q&A The newly enacted MAP-21 transportation bill has provisions that their advocates say will fortify "Buy America" requirements for highway and transit projects. But those policy changes drew criticism from a leading Canadian industry official.The highway title of the statute, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, has one key "Buy America" change: It states that if a road or bridge project is split into multiple contracts and at least one of those contracts receives federal funding, all contracts on that project must abide by "Buy America" mandates.The underlying requirement for federal-aid
Related Links: Link to text of Senate Finance Committee-approved bill Senate Bill Seeks Expanded Exports to Russia (ENR 6/25/12) Trade legislation that is expected to boost U.S. exports to Russia, including shipments of construction equipment, is moving swiftly toward passage in Congress.The Senate Finance Committee on July 18 unanimously cleared a bill to establish permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia. That move would make the U.S. eligible for Russian tariff cuts and other benefits when Russia joins the World Trade Organization (WTO). The bill, which has provisions to improve Russia's human-rights record, next goes to the Senate floor.Action is
Courtesy of Amtrak Rendering of proposed new Union Station train shed, looking south from H Street. Existing historic station would be behind new shed. Related Links: PDF of Amtrak plan summary, press release Amtrak has unveiled an ambitious plan, which would cost $6.5 billion or more, to revamp Washington, D.C.,’s Union Station, adding capacity to handle future passenger traffic, preserving the historic station’s distinctive architecture and seeking to give a boost to the local economy.The expansion and alterations to the station would be literally topped off by 3 million sq ft of new, privately financed office, residential and other buildings,
Related Links: MAP-21 Transportation Measure Goes on the Books PDF of MAP-21 legislation As construction officials dig deeper into the many sections and subsections of the new transportation law, they see a variety of detailed provisions that they like and some disappointing omissions.The Design-Build Institute of America and the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) point to a provision in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) allowing up to 100% federal funding for projects using innovative delivery methods. This includes design-build and construction manager-general contractor procurement and innovative equipment, materials or techniques, such as prefabricated bridge
Related Links: Release announcing National Resilience Coalition PDF of 2009 DHS National Infrastructure Advisory Council report on critical infrastructure resilience Eighteen organizations, including design and emergency-preparedness groups, have launched an effort to make U.S. infrastructure better able to anticipate, withstand and quickly recover from major disruptions from natural disasters, terrorist acts and other threats.The National Resilience Coalition's co-founders are The Infrastructure Security Partnership, the Security Analysis and Risk Management Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
