Daily News Briefs, February 22, 2024

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Multibillion Dollar TxDOT I-35 Project Analyzed By Austin NPR Station

KUT News publishes an extensive summary of TxDOT’s planned expansion of I-35 through central Austin, the $4.5 billion (or more) I-35 Capital Express Central project. Unless it’s blocked by litigation now in the courts, the department intends to start soliciting construction bids this spring in the expectation of a summer work launch. This article — it easily tops 5,000 words and has many helpful graphics — deserves the designation “ultimate guide” bestowed by KUT. It provides a high-level “walkthrough” of the entire project, the scope of which includes adding eight miles of new, non-tolled managed lanes in each direction of the interstate for the use of first responders, public transit agencies and HOV 2+ vehicles. The article then divides the TxDOT plan into three segments, each of which gets detailed examination. To serve those interested in a deeper level of data, KUT has merged the project’s environmental impact statement and appendices into a single PDF file (approximately 9,000 pages) and uploaded 10,000 pages of public comment submissions.

KUT and reporter Nathan Bernier deserve special recognition for making a valuable contribution to public awareness and understanding of a complex and still controversial infrastructure expansion proposal.

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USDOT Is Accepting Applications For $1.26 Billion In Roadway Safety Grants

USDOT announced yesterday it is now accepting applications for approximately $1.26 billion in Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) competitive grants. The SS4A program was created by the IIJA to support road safety action planning and the execution of projects to “improve unsafe roadway corridors by implementing effective interventions. Additionally, these funds can be utilized to test out safety features such as separated bicycle lanes or curb extensions at intersections.” Eligible applicants are “individual communities or groups of communities and may include MPOs, counties, cities, towns, other special districts that are subdivisions of a state, certain transit agencies, federally recognized Tribal governments, and multijurisdictional groups of eligible applicants.” USDOT’s news release includes information on last year’s SS4A program awards, the application process and the additional consideration to be given communities with high traffic fatality rates.

Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing Initiatives

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Post-Crash Repair Work Closes One Lane Of Florida Bridge Toll Plaza

WKRG reports, Monday’s fatal crash of a vehicle at the Bob Sikes Bridge toll plaza in Pensacola Beach, Florida, has forced the closure of one toll lane. Escambia County officials advised motorists to be attentive to workers repairing the plaza building and toll-by-plate equipment. The county directed motorists to temporarily use lanes two and four only, noting that lane four, which is usually reserved for emergency vehicles, has toll-by-plate equipment in place. (The extent of the damage was not specified in reporting or a county news release.)

Escambia County (FL) ETC Systems Florida Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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