News:

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

New Federal Grant for Iowa, Minnesota and South Carolina to Help Cut by Half Construction Timeline for Projects

WASHINGTON, DC - Iowa, Minnesota and South Carolina will be the first states to each receive a $1 million grant under the Federal Highway Administration's new "Highways for LIFE" program to help develop new approaches that can cut construction schedules in half, FHWA Administrator J. Richard Capka announced today. [read the full release]

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is focusing on a number of high-priority efforts to help reduce congestion on the nation's highways in support of the Congestion Relief Initiative. These include Tolling & Pricing, Public Private Partnerships, and efforts derived from the best of existing technological and operational practices. Together, these efforts provide information that allow for more informed decisions, better coordination and quick action that help avoid and reduce traffic congestion. For more information, visit the Focus on Congestion Relief website (www.fhwa.dot.gov/congestion).

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Eisenhower Interstate System. Since its initiation on June 29, 1956, the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways has had a tremendous impact on our nation. Celebrate this momentous occasion at our anniversary Web site and come back often as we update it continually throughout 2006. Visit the online exhibit:
Celebrating 50 Years: The Eisenhower Interstate Highway System

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was enacted August 10, 2005, as Public Law 109-59. SAFETEA-LU authorizes the Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period 2005-2009.

Six Department of Transportation (DOT) organizations receive funding from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Rail Administration (FRA), and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).This document provides information on the achievement of Department goals by the HTF modes, as well as provides the FY 2005 audited financial statements of the HTF. Read the Highway Trust Fund, FY 2005 Financial Report.

On January 20, 2006, Acting Administrator, J. Richard Capka announced the FHWA's 2006 list of 24 Priority, Market-Ready Technologies and Innovations that are likely to yield significant economic or qualitative benefits while improving the Nation's transportation system.

Highways for LIFE is Now Open for Business

Highways for LIFE is now open for business. The Highways for LIFE (HfL) implementation plan was issued in the Federal Register on May 25, 2006. We are also happy to announce the solicitation of grant applications for FY 2006 and FY 2007 funding of demonstration construction projects under the HfL Program. For more information on the Program please visit the Highways for LIFE Web site.

President Bush issued Executive Order 13274 on September 18, 2002 to enhance environmental stewardship and streamline the decision-making process in connection with major transportation projects. Visit the Environmental Stewardship and Transportation Infrastructure Project Reviews web site to find out more about the implementation of Executive Order 13274.

The final rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility was published in the Federal Register (69 FR 54562) on September 9, 2004 with an effective date of October 12, 2007. The purpose of the update is to address the changing times of more traffic, more congestion, greater safety issues, and more work zones.

Employment Opportunities

Jobs in the Federal Highway Administration

Planning A Trip? Your first stop should be the National Traffic and Road Closure Information web site and your second stop should be the Scenic Byways web site.

FHWA is sponsoring web-based communities of practice (CoP's) to promote free and open knowledge exchange on such topics as environment and planning, air quality, high performance concrete, and transportation asset management. Join a group of your peers throughout the highway community to discuss, collaborate, and exchange ideas and practices on a wide range of interesting and timely topics on one of the FHWA Knowledge Communities.

SAFETEA-LU; Opportunities for State and Other Qualifying Agencies to Gain Authority to Toll Facilities Constructed Using Federal Funds

A Federal Register Notice was published on January 6, 2006. The purpose of this notice is to explain the Federal-aid Highway programs now available as a result of SAFETEA-LU that grant permission to public authorities to enact tolls on motor vehicles. The notice is also intended to invite Expressions of Interest to participate in these programs and to introduce the Tolling and Pricing Opportunities Web site.

SAFETEA-LU; Value Pricing Pilot Program Participation

A Federal Register Notice was published on January 6, 2006. The purpose of this notice is to invite State and local governments and other public authorities to apply to participate in the Value Pricing Pilot (VPP) program and presents guidelines for program applications. This notice describes the statutory basis for the VPP program and updates a notice published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2001 (66 FR 23077), by providing revised procedures, process timelines, and guidance for program participation. The notice also introduces the Tolling and Pricing Opportunities Web site.

Traffic Congestion and Reliability: Trends and Advanced Strategies for Congestion Mitigation

The second in a series of reports, Traffic Congestion and Reliability: Trends and Advanced Strategies for Congestion Mitigation (2005), is now available. This report provides a snapshot of traffic congestion in the United States by summarizing recent trends in congestion. The report also offers a number of suggested operational solutions for transportation agencies to incorporate to help ease the growth of congestion and to help increase the reliability of travel times across the nation.

The September 11th attacks on Lower Manhattan, New York City, destroyed part of the third largest business district in the nation as well as the transportation infrastructure that served it. Roads and transit facilities constitute a significant foundation for the rebuilding of New York City, particularly since more than 85 percent of the 385,000 people who are employed in Lower Manhattan use public transit to get to and from the area. Find out more in the November issue of "Successes in Stewardship".

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