Public

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Turns 60 Next Week

Posted on

Next Thursday, November 21, is the sixtieth anniversary of the opening of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The world’s thirteenth1-longest suspension bridge, it was designed by Othmar Ammann of Ammann & Whitney, now WSP.

An illustrated SILive.com article focuses on WSP’s continuing role in helping MTA maintain the bridge. The firm’s contributions have included “in-depth inspections of the suspended spans and ramps, specialized inspection-analysis of the cables and anchorages, and bridge painting of the cables and suspender ropes,” as well as “construction inspection and resident engineering services for the rehabilitation of the bridge’s upper roadway decks.”

Joseph Viola, national transportation leader and senior vice president of WSP, commented, “For over 60 years, the MTA Bridges and Tunnels and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority have been dedicated stewards of the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge and roadways. All of the people who have touched the bridge in some way . . . share an unwavering commitment to maintenance and innovation, which has kept this historic structure standing strong, ensuring safe and efficient travel for thousands of commuters.”

Delaware and Virginia Announce Recipients Of NEVI Funding For EV Charging Units

Posted on

Delaware is touting its new electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure investments, with two stations expected to come online by the end of 2025 and 10 more sites “currently being finalized,” according to a news release from Governor John Carney (D). The facility developers are receiving funding through the state from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula (NEVI) Program. “Transportation emissions account for the largest emissions of greenhouse gases in Delaware,” Carney stated, crediting the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” with contributing significant resources to help the state advance its carbon reduction strategy. Delaware’s General Assembly has budgeted $4 million to supplement what the NEVI program funds allocated to the state.

Virginia DOT has awarded $22 million in its second round of NEVI disbursements, News From The States reports. The money will flow to 19 different applicants for construction of 35 EV charging stations. Virginia was awarded a total of $106 million to distribute over five years. The first charging station funded by VDOT’s initial release of NEVI funds is expected to be online by the end of this year.

Bay Area Bridge Demolition Salvage Becomes Media For Public Art

Posted on

SFGATE reports, 600 tons of steel salvaged during the demolition of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge’s original east span was set aside for the creation of public art around the state. Artists selected by an Oakland museum have turned the reclaimed material, stripped of its lead paint, into sculptures, park benches, a decorative gate, a major league baseball trophy, and even a train platform.

The salvage initiative was approved by the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee, a Metropolitan Transportation Commission body that ceased operation in 2018 after completing its oversight of Bay Area bridge seismic retrofit projects. The first Bay Bridge east span was replaced in 2013 due to damage caused by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

New York Public Employees Union Calls For Legislation To Improve Highway Workers’ Safety

Posted on

WIVT reports, the Civil Service Employees Association, one of New York State’s largest labor organizations, has called on Governor Kathy Hochul (D) and lawmakers “to make the protection of highway workers a top priority as they near the legislative season.” The union wants existing laws strengthened and new traffic offense penalties introduced.

A union local president commented, “Every day, CSEA members work in dangerous conditions, often within mere feet of speeding traffic. . . . It is time for lawmakers to recognize the growing threat and take meaningful steps to protect [highway workers].”

Two recent events precipitated the call for action. On November 4, a New York Thruway Authority maintenance supervisor was struck and killed while working on I-90. NYSDOT subsequently released a video showing the narrow escape of a worker when a box truck slammed into maintenance vehicles parked on an I-81 shoulder in  Broome County.

Phil Thompson Will Lead Kapsch North America Sales and Business Development

Posted on

Today, Kapsch TrafficCom announced that Phil Thompson has been appointed Vice President of Sales and Business Development for North America. Commenting on the appointment, JB Kendrick, President of Kapsch TrafficCom North America, said, “Phil’s proven leadership and deep industry expertise make him a perfect fit to drive growth and innovation in our sales and business development efforts. We are excited about the fresh perspective he will bring to our team and look forward to the impact he will make in shaping the future of intelligent transportation solutions in North America.”

Mr. Thompson has more than 20 years’ experience in the IoT industry, with leadership roles in sales operations, marketing, and business development for firms including Crestron, Control4, Honeywell, and Lexmark. He will succeed Dan Toohey, who has been the North America sales and business development leader since 2021. Mr. Toohey announced in May that he will retire at the end of this year.