As deficit worries press the U.S. federal government to cut its infrastructure funding, states and localities are filling some of the gap by getting more active in advancing public-works projects, says a new report on infrastructure trends.The study, released on May 9 by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and consulting firm Ernst & Young LLP, points to a variety of U.S. state and local infrastructure initiatives, such as a Los Angeles ballot measure that voters approved in 2008 that aims to provide $40 billion for transportation projects.
Related Links: Press release from U.S. Attorney for District of Columbia ENR 10/6/11: Two Corps Officials, Two Others Charged With Contracting Fraud In the latest development in a federal probe of alleged contracting fraud, a former Army Corps of Engineers manager and his son have pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges connected to Corps contracts.Kerry F. Khan, 54, a former program manager in the Corps Directorate of Contingency Operations, entered a guilty plea on May 17 in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit money laundering.Ronald C. Machen, Jr., U.S.
States and localities are getting more active in advancing more infrastructure projects as deficit pressure prompts the federal government to pull back on its public works spending, says a new report on infrastructure trends.The study, “Infrastructure 2012: Spotlight on Leadership,” released on May 9 by the Urban Land Institute and consulting firm Ernst & Young LLP, also says financial stresses and economic slowdowns have caused some other countries, such as India, Brazil and even China, to scale down their infrastructure funding.Looking at the U.S., the report’s authors cite several examples of
The Dept. of Transportation has selected two projects in California and one each in Colorado, Texas and Virginia to apply for loans under its Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program.The five winners, announced on April 24, were chosen from among 26 projects. Those not picked—including New York's $6-billion replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge—are eligible for future TIFIA consideration.The two projects in California are a $1.3-billion extension and added lane for state Route 91 between Orange and Riverside counties and a $960-million bridge in Long Beach. Also making the cut are a $140-million U.S. 36 corridor program in
After a year-long wait, the Senate has approved Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick to be the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 53rd commanding general. The Senate confirmed Bostick as Corps chief on April 26, more than 12 months after President Obama nominated him.Bostick's path was slowed by holds put on his nomination by at least two senators, David Vitter (R-La.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Bostick has been serving as the Army Deputy Chief of Staff. His earlier assignments have included leading the Corps division in Iraq.Planning has begun for a ceremony, tentatively in late May, at which Bostick will assume
A concerted industry-government safety push has helped drive down the number of construction-worker and motorist fatalities in highway construction zones, but officials say there are still far too many deaths at these dangerous jobsites.According to an Associated General Contractors of America survey released on April 23, 68% of the 400 firms responding experienced at least one vehicular crash at one of their highway work zones in the past year; 18% reported worker fatalities in those accidents.The survey was just part of a series of events held on April 23-27 during the 13th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, which aims
Three design teams have won competitions to reshape sections of one of the most prominent urban public spaces in the country: the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Related Links: Bureau of Labor Statistics release, with tables Analysis from Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist Analysis from Anirban Basu, ABC chief economist Construction's unemployment rate dropped sharply in April, to 14.5% from 17.2% in March, although the industry shed 2,000 jobs. Last month's construction jobless rate also was far below the April 2011 level of 17.8%, continuing a long string of year-over-year declines. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest monthly report on employment trends, released on May 4, showed that the job losses last month in construction's buildings and nonresidential specialty trades sectors outweighed the gains in the heavy-civil
Related Links: House Passes 3-Month Transport Bill White House veto warning for House 3-month bill After more than two years of twists and turns, false starts and a near-stop, House and Senate lawmakers are getting ready to begin negotiations on a new surface-transportation authorization bill. The House opened the door to a joint conference committee with the Senate on April 18, when it approved a three-month highway-transit bill. House negotiators will bring that measure to the table; Senate negotiators will bring the two-year, $109-billion bill that it passed in March.Senate leaders named their 14 conferees on April 24. They include eight
