USDOT Supports Bay Area Corridor Upgrades, Express Lanes Extension
Pleasanton Weekly reported, Bay Area elected officials are celebrating the award of a $166 million federal grant to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) for its INNOVATE 680 Program. The award was one of several National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program grants recently announced by USDOT.
The program aims to improve mobility and reduce air pollution in the East Bay’s congested I-680 corridor. Its suite of projects will:
- create part-time transit lanes for buses to use during peak travel periods;
- extend existing tolled express lanes to complete a continuous 25-mile-long segment of managed lanes in the corridor;
- construct a braided ramp system in Walnut Creek to relieve a bottleneck;
- deploy advanced technology throughout the corridor;
- install shared mobility hubs at existing park and ride lots to complement the corridor’s current and future multimodal travel services;
- implement a mobility-as-a-service-model for public and private transit service operations; and
- support CCTA pilot projects that, among other things, employ V-2-X technology to advance development of automated driving system standards.
In a news release on the grant award, CCTA Chair Newell Arnerich stated that the I-680 upgrades will improve the region’s quality of life by easing congestion, enhancing roadway safety, and creating 3,500 direct and indirect jobs per year over the length of the program.
THEA Schedules Vendor Forum On Forthcoming BOS Procurement
The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) will host an online industry forum on Tuesday morning, November 12, for contractors interested in learning more about the agency’s forthcoming RFP for a new Operational Back Office System (OBOS). The desired system — whether cloud-based, on-premises, or a hybrid of the two — will handle multiple interfaces with other systems, include disaster recovery elements, and be both modular and scalable, according to a scope description. A two-phased selection process first will evaluate Expanded Letters of Interest, followed by priced proposals
In June, THEA directors unanimously approved an $882 million 2025-2030 work program that incorporates toll collection and IT systems improvements, including replacement of the authority’s 13-year-old roadside collection system and the existing operational back office system.
Inflation Makes Oklahoma Turnpike Debt And Toll Rate Increases Necessary
The Oklahoman reported, an inflation-driven surge in the budget for the ACCESS Oklahoma program will force the state turnpike authority (OTA) to increase debt and consider raising toll rates, the agency’s board learned Thursday. Executive director Joe Echelle told members, “Without the crazy inflation, we were looking at borrowing $6.5 billion. The abnormal inflation we’ve had the past couple of years has shot it up to $8.2 billion.” He estimated OTA will need to sell $1 billion in bonds every two years, and he warned that all drivers will pay higher tolls soon.
Echelle reported on two relatively minor offsets to the rise in project costs. The elimination of some proposed additions to the East-West Connector project has resulted in savings of up to $250 million. Also, volume increases across OTA’s tollways network have resulted in higher revenues. Echelle estimated that average daily volume now stands at 700,000 vehicles, and he attributed the increase in traffic to OTA’s near-completion of a statewide transition to cashless tolling. Echelle noted that tollbooth elimination has also contributed to a drop in serious crashes.
These are a few of the toll industry developments TRN covered last week. If you’re not a subscriber to Daily News Briefs, click here for a free, 14-day trial. Read the news as it happens every weekday.
Oklahoma Completed Indian Nation Turnpike’s Cashless Conversion
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) announced completion of the the final phase of Indian Nation Turnpike (SH 375) cashless conversion. Effective Wednesday, November 6, motorists can “travel completely cashless via PIKEPASS and PlatePay with increased safety and convenience between I-40 at Henryetta and Hugo near the Oklahoma/Texas state line. The rest of the Indian Nation Turnpike converted to cashless tolling Aug. 28. . . .” The demolition of obsolete tolling infrastructure is expected to be finished next month. The Indian Nation facility is the eleventh operated by OTA to transition to cashless collection. OTA plans to complete transition of the Will Rogers Turnpike (I-44) by November 20.
New Hampshire Revealed Turnpike Project Details And Projected Timeline
NH Business Review provided more details about the long-delayed, now $370 million Bow-Concord Improvement Project that New Hampshire DOT is planning to execute on an I-89, I-93 and I-393 corridor near the capital city, Concord. Much of that corridor is part of the state’s F.E. Everett Turnpike. The I-89/I-93 interchange and at least three exits on I-93 will get significant upgrades, along with several red-listed bridge replacements and local road reconfigurations. The details follow a project update NHDOT provided last month.
The article noted, “Starting in 2025, project leaders said they’ll be hosting a string of public meetings and town halls, as well as finalizing environmental impact work. Construction on bridges is anticipated to begin in 2029. Work on I-89 Exit 1 and the I-93 corridor, starting with exits 12-14, would begin in 2031 and 2032. The rough completion date is set for 2038.”
Kapsch Obtained Lengthy Extension Of Riverside County (CA) Toll Systems Contract
Kapsch TrafficCom announced it received a ten-year extension of its toll services contract with the Riverside County (California) Transportation Commission (RCTC). “The extension applies to the current Kapsch TrafficCom contract to design, develop, test, install, and operate an end-to-end toll and traffic management solution for the I-15 Express Lanes Project [including the 15/91 Connector] and full replacement of the SR-91 Express Lanes roadside tolling system.”
Kapsch deliverables include ten I-15 toll points and six on SR-91. The ETC systems incorporate variable roadside message signs, CCTV cameras for enforcement, and microwave vehicle detectors. The company also provides the I-15 Express Lanes back-office system, dynamic pricing, image review, and collections enforcement. Kapsch staffs and operates the facility’s traffic operations and customer service centers. Over their contract’s initial term, Kapsch and RCTC have collaborated on system enhancements.
The express lanes run for 25 miles through of one of the 10 most populous counties in the US. More than 45 million trip transactions are processed each year.
JB Kendrick, president of Kapsch TrafficCom North America, commented, “We’re thrilled to have been awarded this contract extension and continue our strong partnership with RCTC and the traveling public in Southern California. We value our highly collaborative partnership with RCTC, and extending our services through 2041 shows our dedication to bringing top-notch technology, expertise, and people to enhance travel throughout the region.”
Sixth Public Hearing Scheduled For MoPac South Extension Project In Austin
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) and Texas DOT have scheduled the in-person and virtual meeting for November 12, with a recording to be available until December 29. The same timeframe defines an official public comment period. The project team will use the meeting to share information about the Recommended Build Alternative and the environmental study process.
The MoPac South project proposes adding one or two variably priced express lanes in each direction to an eight-mile segment of the MoPac corridor south of CTRMA’s existing express lanes. “The Recommended Build Alternative comes following analysis of five build alternatives, six operational configuration options, and public involvement over the course of more than 10 years. A No Build, or ‘do nothing’ Alternative is being carried forward as a baseline for comparison.”
Ontario Highway 407 Concession Launched Toll Relief Program
The new Route Relief Program announced by the 407 ETR operator offers up to six free trips per month to qualifying low-income Ontario residents traveling the privately operated segment of the highway. The program does not affect travel on the portion of Highway 407 owned and operated by the province.
Toronto.com reported that the concession “has other financial assistance programs, but this is the first to offer free monthly trips for an extended period.”
TRN notes, the relief program is being launched as discussion ramps up about possible provincial government changes in the Highway 407 tolling regime.
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New Federal Grants Will Support Digital Technology Applications That Improve Project Delivery
Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems (ADCMS) grant program awards totaling $16.6 million were awarded to eight states, FHWA announced. The program “promote[s] the use of data and technologies that allow for a more seamless flow of digital information, moving away from paper-based systems and building efficiencies into project delivery processes. Ultimately, the goal of these projects is to save time and resources and deliver projects safely in a more cost-effective manner.”
The three highest awards, each exceeding $3.2 million, went to:
- New Hampshire DOT for projects to establish digital workflows and data standards, and develop new survey, design, project management, contract management, and construction inspection standards;
- New York State DOT for its Advancing Lifecycle Management of Subsurface Roadway Asset Information project that will use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to integrate data related to the subsurface of the roadway; and
- Ohio DOT for its Workflows Optimization for Real-Time Knowledge Sharing (WORKS) project that uses BIM in project development to create significant time savings through information-sharing.
Industry People Made News
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) elected 2025 board officers during its recent annual meeting, ITSInternational.com reported. Starting one-year terms on January 1, 2025, are:
- President: James Hofmann, North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) executive director
- First Vice President: Joi Dean, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA) CEO
- Second Vice President: Ferzan Ahmed, PE, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) executive director
- International Vice President: María Moreno, director of the international department of SEOPAN (the association of Spanish construction and concession companies)
- Immediate Past President: Bill Halkias, president emeritus of HELLASTRON (the association of Greek toll roads)
Five IBTTA member representatives were elected to serve four-year terms as board directors starting January 1, 2025. They are Anna Bonet (Elizabeth River Crossings), Christophe Boutin (ASFA, the association of French motorway companies), Rene Moser (ASFINAG, the Austrian autobahn operator), Craig Shuey (Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission), and Vincent Valdez (Transportation Corridor Agencies). Nick Roethel (Bay Area Toll Authority) was elected to serve a two-year board term. James Carone (New Jersey Turnpike Authority) will start a three-year term on January 1.
AASHTO Journal reported that the board of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has elected its slate of officers for 2024-2025. Connecticut DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto will serve a full term as president. He assumed that role in September when he began filling the unexpired term of former president Craig Thompson. The board selected Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell McMurry as its 2024-2025 vice president.
“Under Eucalitto’s direction, AASHTO will focus on ‘Centering Safety’ on every state DOT action, harnessing a ‘whole of AASHTO’ approach to address the safety crisis plaguing roadways in communities across the country.” Eucalitto will also focus his presidential year on the reauthorization of a federal surface transportation bill to succeed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Emanuela Stocchi was elected president of PIARC World Road Association at a council meeting last week. She will serve a three-year term ending in 2028, according to an association social media post. Ms. Stocchi,
PIARC also elected three vice presidents: ASFINAG executive Alexander Walcher; Dharmananda Sarangi, an official of India’s road transport and highways ministry; and Mamoudou Alassane Camara, an official of Senegal’s infrastructure and transport ministry.
Italy Studies Toll Network Upgrade Costs And Considers Concession Reforms
World Highways reported, a unit of Italy’s ministry of infrastructure and transport is at work on determining the investment needed to maintain, upgrade, and develop the country’s toll roads network. Stakeholders have submitted an initial estimate of EUR 70 billion (USD 76.3 billion). “Key upgrades to the network would include works to improve the routes around the major cities of Bologna and Genoa. Both cities are crucial to Italy’s GDP, with the former being a centre for manufacturing and the latter being a prime port, and traffic congestion is a key issue in these areas.”
According to Il Sole 24 Ore (in Italian, subscription required for full access), the study process is expected to take about a month. Its starting point is estimates submitted by AISCAT, the association representing motorway and tunnel concession companies.
In related news, Corriere della Sera (in Italian, accessible via Google Translate) reported that tollway reform legislation working its way through Italy’s parliament is due for final action by December 31. The issues the measure would address include concession awards and renewals, and toll rate setting.
India Invites Banks To Bid For Country’s First MLFF System Contract
The Times of India reported, the National Highways Authority of India is inviting banks to submit bids to operate the nation’s first multi-lane free flow (MLFF) toll collection system. The bank that offers the highest revenue share amount will be awarded a three-year contract for tolling the 17.4-mile Dwarka Expressway, which will have a single toll point. “Considering that banks have no expertise in direct toll collection,” the government is allowing them to partner with subcontractors. “As per the bid document, the sub-contractors must have the experience of implementing MLFF-based tolling on at least 200 km and for 10 years in India or abroad.”