Traffic Control News
Almost seven months overdue, Utah lawmakers want S.R. 92 project to wrap up
Contractor has been fined over $3 million already, and express lanes still remain closed to traffic
Utah’s S.R. 92 project should have been completed in late 2011, but traffic cones are still visible. Now the state legislature is telling the Utah DOT to speed up this prolonged work zone.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: The Salt Lake Tribune Publication Date: Fri, 2012-05-18 13:54
2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card reveals minor progress
Agencies of all sizes show improvement; much work still to be done
The latest national traffic signal assessment conducted by the National Transportation Operations Coalition (NTOC), a group of transportation associations, shows that gradual but steady progress is being made on the management and operation of traffic signals despite continued funding challenges. NTOC today released the 2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card with a grade of 69, equivalent to a D+ letter grade, based upon the assessment. The 2012 score is a modest four-point improvement over the 2007 result of a D letter grade (65).
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: National Transportation Operations Coalition Publication Date: Tue, 2012-05-15 14:50Materials prices inch up in April
Market conditions remain difficult, particularly in the public sector
The cost of construction materials took a breather in April, while contractors showed slightly greater ability to roll past price increases into their bids, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials noted that despite the temporary reprieve from materials price hikes, market conditions for construction remain difficult.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: AGC Publication Date: Tue, 2012-05-15 10:50
California high-speed rail project gets September 2017 deadline
Work on 130-mile segment could cost up to $3.5 million per day
Federal lawmakers declared that if the California High-Speed Rail Authority wants full federal funding for its project to construct a 130-mile HSR segment from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the project would have to be completed by September 2017. Failure to meet that deadline would result in the loss of at least some federal money.
If construction begins later this year as expected, that would mean daily expenditures of up to $3.5 million, the fastest known rate of construction in U.S. history. The project will cost a projected $6 billion in total.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: Los Angeles Times Publication Date: Tue, 2012-05-15 10:23
Tallahassee’s new traffic management system already showing results
Remote signal timing has cut down on congestion, costs
The city of Tallahassee, Fla., and surrounding Alachua County are nearing completion on a new traffic management system that allows remote monitoring of traffic patterns and control of traffic signals.
The project began in 2004 as part of an agreement between officials at the city, county and state levels, as well as at the University of Florida. All 200 traffic signals within the system are controlled and monitored from the City of Gainesville Public Works Department; fiber optics allows the city to electronically synchronize everything.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: Gainesville Sun Publication Date: Mon, 2012-05-14 15:59
DOT dumps deadlines for replacing traffic signs
Local governments will save millions by not replacing signs until they are worn out
The U.S. Department of Transportation last week announced the elimination of 46 regulations on traffic signs to provide more flexibility for state and local governments, including allowing communities to replace traffic signs when they are worn out rather than requiring signs to be replaced by a specific date.
"Some of these burdensome deadlines would have cost communities millions of dollars at a time when they can’t afford that,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We spoke to state and local officials across the country, and we heard them loud and clear.”
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: U.S. DOT Publication Date: Mon, 2012-05-14 10:00Ruling leaves N.C. toll road in doubt
Appeals court says NCDOT used the wrong data in its environmental impact study
Charlotte, N.C.’s first toll road might not get built, according to a report in the Charlotte Observer, after a federal appeals court unanimously ruled that the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) "failed to disclose critical assumptions . . . and instead provided the public with incorrect information."
The Monroe Bypass is a $725 million, 19.7-mile new roadway from U.S. 74 at I-485 in eastern Mecklenburg County to U.S. 74 between the towns of Wingate and Marshville in Union County. It bypasses a congested area of U.S. 74 in Union County.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: Charlotte Observer, NCDOT Publication Date: Fri, 2012-05-11 11:07
Utah counties join state in fight for rural roads
Federal government closing more routes that families have used for generations
More Utah counties have joined the state in its fight to gain control of thousands of dirt roads in rural Utah.
Thirteen counties filed lawsuits over the past week dealing with land currently in the hands of the federal government, which has closed certain rural routes. The state of Utah and over two-dozen counties are seeking control of over 12,000 routes that “preserve access for Utah families that continue to use the roads they have used for generations,” according to Chief Deputy Attorney General John Swallow.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: Deseret News Publication Date: Thu, 2012-05-10 10:00
Construction employment remains nearly flat in April
AGC: Workers are leaving industry as employment gains remain sluggish
The construction industry lost 2,000 jobs in April, following similar declines of 3,000 in March and 1,000 in February, but still added 63,000 jobs over the past year as the industry unemployment rate shrank to 14.5%—the lowest April level in four years, according to an analysis of new federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials said that lack of long-term federal highway and transit funding, along with other infrastructure budget cuts, threatens to limit construction job growth.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: AGC Publication Date: Wed, 2012-05-09 09:56
Concrete industry believes ODOT leader slants bid process in favor of asphalt
Association says practice of not allowing contractors to factor in future price of asphalt during life of project unfair
The leader of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is being accused of favoring asphalt over concrete.
In 2009, Jerry Wray rescinded an ODOT order requiring asphalt-paving contractors to factor in future asphalt prices over the span of the road project. Currently, road builders can use the current market price without the risk of covering any cost overruns, which are passed along to taxpayers. If the price of asphalt falls during the road project, the contractor is required to reimburse the state.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: The Columbus Dispatch Publication Date: Tue, 2012-05-08 13:42
Proposed fuel economy standards could cut future highway revenue
Gas tax revenues to the Highway Trust Fund could drop 21% by 2040
A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report released earlier this week highlights what transportation industry experts have worried about for years. The federal surface transportation program could face even further transportation funding shortfalls if newly proposed fuel economy standards are adopted, according to the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: AASHTO Publication Date: Mon, 2012-05-07 11:10
R&B 2012 May issue now available online
The May issue of Roads & Bridges can now be viewed at www.roadsbridges.com. Just scroll down to Current Issue and click on the story of your choice.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Image: RBSlider_May2012.jpg Publication Date: Fri, 2012-05-04 16:02 Slideshow Image: Slideshow Text: 2012 MAY R&B NOW ONLINE!
Yaquina out as U.S. 20 design-builder
Yaquina and ODOT agree to terminate contract; Yaquina will pay $15M; ODOT will rescind notice of default
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced that an agreement has been reached with Granite Construction Co.’s joint venture, Yaquina River Constructors (YRC), to terminate the U.S. 20 Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville design-build contract. Terms of the agreement include that YRC will pay ODOT $15 million, both parties will waive claims against each other and the notice of default ODOT issued to YRC in March of this year will be rescinded. YRC will no longer have the contractual obligation to complete the project and will demobilize from the project site in an orderly manner.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: ODOT Publication Date: Thu, 2012-05-03 15:36Arizona traffic engineers address safety concerns of new intersection law
Changing timing of traffic signals would discourage drivers from running red lights
As a new traffic bill expanding the definition of intersections to include crosswalks is discussed in the Arizona legislature, local traffic engineers say that adjusting the timing of traffic signals would address safety concerns by local police officers.
If the bill passes, the proposed changes would allow drivers a small amount of extra space to enter the intersection; ultimately, this would mean fewer drivers would be cited for red light violations.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: Arizona Capitol Times Publication Date: Wed, 2012-05-02 17:12
Roads & Bridges offers a new featured channel
For the second quarter of 2012, the featured channel on Roads & Bridges focuses on bridges. Check out the channel for the latest information on spans in North America.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Publication Date: Wed, 2012-05-02 11:56 Slideshow Image: Slideshow Text: R&B FEATURED CHANNEL—BRIDGESIllinois unveils multimodal transportation plan
Multiyear program contains $9.2B for highways; combines highways, airports, rail and mass transit
Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider has unveiled “Transforming Transportation for Tomorrow,” the state’s first multimodal transportation improvement program. The new program document combines the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) newly proposed multiyear highway program for fiscal years (FY) 2013-18 with the proposed multiyear programs for public transportation (FY 2013-17), rail (FY 2013-17) and aeronautics (FY 2013-15) and is being introduced in a new streamlined format to reinforce the multimodal nature of transportation in Illinois.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: IDOT Publication Date: Wed, 2012-05-02 10:55
Group arrested in plot to blow up Ohio bridge
FBI says the public was not in any danger because explosives were duds
Thanks to an FBI sting, the Brecksville-Northville High Level Bridge, which crosses the Cuyahoga Valley National Park 15 miles outside of Cleveland, was never in any danger.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: CNN Publication Date: Wed, 2012-05-02 10:25
Construction barely edges up in March overall
Highway construction down 0.8% in March
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during March 2012 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $808.1 billion, 0.1% above the revised February estimate of $807.3 billion. The March figure is 6.0% above the March 2011 estimate of $762.6 billion.
During the first three months of this year, construction spending amounted to $171.2 billion, 6.7% above the $160.4 billion for the same period in 2011.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: U.S. Census Bureau Publication Date: Tue, 2012-05-01 09:59
New Mexico DOT breaks ground on I-10/I-25 interchange
Pair of new ramps will regulate traffic flow around state’s second largest city
Officials from the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) broke ground on a new ramp interchange project last week at the intersection of I-10 and I-25 in Las Cruces, N.M.
The new ramp will help improve traffic flow along the heavily traveled highways, which see an estimated 43,000 vehicles on a daily basis. Two separate ramps would be constructed; one would connect eastbound I-10 with northbound I-25, while the other would join I-25 southbound to I-10 westbound.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: NMDOT Publication Date: Mon, 2012-04-30 16:14
Intermat an international success
“The 9th Intermat confirmed the recovery of the construction equipment sector.”—Exhibition Manager Maryvonne Lanoë
With 1,350 exhibitors, 67% international, and more than 200,000 visitors, including 145,082 identified trade visitors (up 15.8% on 2009), 34.2% international, Intermat again demonstrated its international reach and confirmed its positioning in the Mediterranean and African markets.
Business was brisk at this session, with a large number of orders taken.
Share: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Source: Intermat Publication Date: Mon, 2012-04-30 09:56