The Red Line Extension project in Chicago secured a funding commitment from the Federal Transit Administration September 8 for $1.97 billion in grant funding, allowing the project to advance.

Cost increases were a major concern of the Committee, as well as some still-unresolved details of Buy America provisions.

The funds are the second major tranche of funding from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.

Major programs include $1B Sawtooth Bridges Replacement in New Jersey, needed to support Gateway mega-program to add rail tunnels under the Hudson River. 

Energy and resilience megaprojects starting and planned in New York and New Jersey pose big logistical challenges but will generate major economic and quality of life benefits, said public and private sector industry experts at recent ENR forum in New York City.

ENR’s 20-city average cost indexes, wages and materials prices. Historical data and details for ENR’s 20 cities can be found at ENR.com/economics

Now set to augment transportation construction projects underway across New York and New Jersey, officials are fast developing programs to expand infrastructure to meet climate change, resilience and sustainability needs, fueled by billions in more recent federal funding.

Work to add higher-voltage capacity and 10,000 miles of new lines faces key issues in siting, cost allocation and regulatory tension, says transmission sector consultant Grid Strategies in Sept. 13 report. 

Torrential rain brought by Storm Daniel and poor maintenance of two aging, clay-core embankment dams near Derna, a coastal city, are key factors, experts say.

ENR’s 20-city average cost indexes, wages and materials prices. Historical data and details for ENR’s 20 cities can be found at ENR.com/economics