- Transportation, Construction Industries Remain Skeptical About Federal “Buy America” Rules
- Congestion Pricing Is Again Under Discussion In Seattle
- Sherman Minton Bridge Lane Reopens Following Repair
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Transportation, Construction Industries Remain Skeptical About Federal “Buy America” Rules
ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com takes a detailed look at the final guidance on implementation of the “Build America, Buy America” (BABA) provisions of the IIJA recently published by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB). “President Joe Biden aims to bolster the economy ‘from the middle down and the bottom up.’ With some exceptions, the word to the construction industry is to use American-made materials built by American workers.” An administration official asserts that BABA is transformative for the nation’s economy, especially where communities “left behind” are concerned. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) isn’t convinced she’s right. In addition to summarizing ARTBA reservations about the rules, ConstructionEquipmentGuide analyzes the content of the final guidance, including its key definitions, and the limited waivers now allowed under USDOT rules.
“Engineering News-Record” also reports on the OMB publication. ENR notes, “Construction and transportation industry officials say that implementing the new guidance will pose challenges, for example, in getting materials certified as adhering to the Buy America requirements.” It adds, “Although the White House labels the guidance ‘final,’ it may well not be the last administrative word on Buy America. The OMB document states that it ‘is not intended as comprehensive guidance on all topics related to the implementation of BABA.’”
American Road & Transportation Builders Assoc. (ARTBA) Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Issues of Law Procurement of Tolling Equipment & Services US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing InitiativesCongestion Pricing Is Again Under Discussion In Seattle
The Stranger reports, a City of Seattle revenue stabilization work group may have revived discussion of a congestion pricing program that was proposed and later abandoned by a former mayor. Tolling vehicles was one of several proposals set out in a report on progressive taxes the city could implement to deal with a budget shortfall. According to the newspaper, “While the City will not move forward with the congestion tax proposal right now, Seattle can expect the conversation to resurface again, as it has repeatedly for the last two decades. The issue can pit the affordability crisis against the climate crisis, dividing the left on whether to support a tax that lowers emissions but also potentially punishes low-income drivers, who would be forced to pay up or contend with insufficient transit options.” The article looks at an earlier city study of congestion pricing and arguments for and against using tolling as an instrument of public policy.
Congestion Pricing Environmental Protection Policies Procedures And Initiatives Seattle (WA) Department of Transportation Seattle Metro Area Washington StateSherman Minton Bridge Lane Reopens Following Repair
“The westbound lane of Interstate 64 on the top deck of the Sherman Minton Bridge has reopened after more than a month of repairs,” The Louisville Courier-Journal reports. However, bridge capacity will continue to be limited in the course of an extensive rehabilitation project. The westbound top lane had been closed indefinitely on July 19 for emergency repairs to the approach from Indiana. The bridge also was closed entirely for more than a week this summer for emergency repairs. It is one of three non-tolled river crossings in the region, which is also served by the three RiverLink toll system bridges.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Indiana Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Kentucky Kentucky Transportation Cabinet RiverLink Toll System (IN-KY Ohio River Bridges)These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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