Related Links: Transit Builders Buoyed By Ridership Figures Fear Of Bankruptcy Looms Over Bridge, Rail Conferences Buoyed by record-breaking public-transit ridership figures, American Public Transportation Association members are warning of the increasingly dire consequences ahead for U.S. infrastructure without action on long-term federal reauthorization funding.APTA hopes Congress will take note of the 10.7 billion transit trips taken in 2013—the highest ridership in 57 years, the group says—and of the insatiable demand for federal programs that provide funding for mass-transit projects. The Federal Transit Administration awarded a record $15.7 billion for over 2,000 grants in FY 2014, acting administrator Therese W.
Related Links: In Panama, Global Engineers Tackle Gigaproject Transparency Panama Canal Owner and Contractors Agree to Final Cost, Schedule Terms Backstories from a Visit to the Panama Canal Panamania: Museum Becomes Instant Icon for a Developing Nation Dramatic Digs Mark Panama Canal Expansion Progress Excavation Under Way on Panama City Metro In addition to the $3.2-billion project to construct locks for a third lane of the Panama Canal, Panama City construction includes a new metro system, high-end condos and restaurants in its historic district and a new museum on biodiversity designed by Frank Gehry. The fast-paced Latin city with a
Related Links: For Panamax Port Expansions, The Freight Wait is Almost Over Ports Seek Rising Tide of Public, Private Funds After nearly two decades of planning, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) this month has begun a $706- million deepening of the Port of Savannah harbor by 5 ft. It formally signed a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) Oct. 8 with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps expects bids on Oct. 29 for a dredging contract for 19 of 40 miles of entrance channel, estimated at $100 million. Another estimated $75-million contract to build dissolved oxygen injection systems should receive bids
Related Links: Deadly Guardrails on Trial Again in Trinity Whistle-Blower Case Highway Guardrail May Be Deadly, States Say Virginia's transportation department this month followed Missouri, Nevada and Massachusetts in taking off a controversial guardrail end-terminal model from its approved highway-products list. The ET-Plus model, which includes a steel fixture that is meant to absorb a vehicle's impact, is the subject of various lawsuits claiming the fixture has acted, instead, as a deadly spear.In an Oct. 10 letter to a sales manager with Trinity Highway Products LLC, the manufacturer of the ET-Plus, the Virginia Dept. of Transportation requested additional documentation regarding
Photo courtesy of CERA The single placement is the largest of its kind ever performed on the South Island. Related Links: Christchurch Post-Quake Rebuild Picks Up Steam Engineers Surprised by Damage To Modern Buildings in Christchurch Earthquake-hit Christchurch, New Zealand’s second most populous city, on Sept. 23 celebrated a major milestone in its rebuilding with a successful 1,428.6-cu-meter concrete pour for the base of a major new transportation facility. The single placement is the largest of its kind ever performed on the South Island.In 12 hours, 234 ready-mix trucks discharged the concrete for the base of the city’s new $43-million
Photo courtesy Marcio Vieira / Tocantins Government The north-south railway line in Tocantins (pictured) is among 11,000 km of Brazil rail scheduled for improvement under the proposed concession program. Related Links: Letter From Brazil: New Subways, Highways Can't Arrive Fast Enough Brazil Privatizes Three Major Airports, Nets $14.3 Billion in Concessions Two years after the Brazilian government announced a huge package of concessions to stimulate investments in infrastructure, construction projects for the railway industry remain on the shelf. The delays have resulted from regulatory risks, which were identified by investors, and failed projects.Officials hope for a break in the impasse
Related Links: Clearing Out Superstorm's Soggy Mess Amtrak 2012 Construction Plan Has a Northeast Focus Two New York City rail tunnels along the congested Northeast Corridor will require an estimated $689 million in repairs after Superstorm Sandy-related inundation, states a report conducted by HNTB Corp. for the commuter railroad Amtrak.Amtrak officials used the report, released on Oct. 2, to re-emphasize their call for the so-called Gateway program (ENR 1/23/12 p. 16). The scheme envisions two new trans-Hudson River tunnels, but, so far, no source of funding has been identified.The report notes that a two-tube tunnel underneath the Hudson River and
Photo Courtesy of TJPA Officials hope developers will not challenge new district tax rates for projects. Related Links: Crucial Intermodal Terminal Design Unveiled in Bay Area Rail Dollars Rolling Despite protests and litigation threats from real estate developers, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Sept. 23 to create a special community tax district—locally known as a Mello-Roos district—for the Transbay Transit Center at 2014 market rates. The vote marks a key funding piece for the approximately $4.5-billion Transbay Transit Center, billed as the "Grand Central of the West."Mello-Roos districts are named for Senator Henry J. Mello (D-Watsonville)
Related Links: Fix Under Way for Sagging Green Bay Bridge Piling Corrosion Blamed For Sagging Wisconsin Bridge Inspection of the Leo Frigo Bridge in Green Bay, Wis., that developed a 2.5-ft sag last year after a piling buckled also showed severe corrosion in four other piers that “significantly reduced the structural capacity” of their foundation systems, a state report said.Pier 22, along with Piers 21-25, were classified as “Tier 1” in terms of damage severity and potential for safety problems, and had to be repaired before the bridge could be used. The repairs were completed and the bridge re-opened in
Photo by Jeff Rubenstone/ENR Crews prepare to dewater a precast pile-cap 'tub' that, eventually, will support piers for the bridge's eastern approach. Photo by Jeff Rubenstone/ENR A floating batch plant provides on-site concrete for pile-cap installation. Related Links: Most of Tappan Zee Bridge Loan Nixed Drifting Barges Lead to Payment Penalty For New Tappan Zee Bridge Builders The new Tappan Zee Bridge is finally getting above the waterline, but the $3.9-billion project's finances remain in a state of flux as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected a plan pushed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) to use state
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