- USDOT Issues Final Rule To Modernize Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs
- Robert Horr Named AtkinsRéalis National Toll Director As Part Of Team Reorganization
- Richmond (VA) Authority Will Close ORT Lanes For Weekend Maintenance Work
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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USDOT Issues Final Rule To Modernize Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs
The 40-year-old, congressionally mandated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) program regulations have been upgraded, USDOT announced yesterday. “The major objectives of this final rule include modernizing existing principles to: improve provisions for the benefit of program participants, reduce burdens on firms and recipients, grow firm capacity and owner wealth, and improve program integrity, visibility, and data collected by the USDOT.” USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the programs already were helpful, but now are better equipped to meet their mission under current circumstances. Changes (summarized here) include: streamlining certification and eligibility; excluding retirement assets from the personal net worth cap, which was raised for inflation; codifying Covid-19 guidance for virtual engagement; improving interstate reciprocity; and better accountability for payments. To be notified of related trainings and information sessions beginning this month, sign up for the GovDelivery DBE listserv. (TRN inserted a link in quoted text.)
Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Infrastructure Workforce Issues Issues of Law Procurement of Tolling Equipment & Services Transportation and Infrastructure Leadership And Workforce Diversity US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation FundingRobert Horr Named AtkinsRéalis National Toll Director As Part Of Team Reorganization
AtkinsRéalis announced several appointments and a reorganization of its tolls sector business unit.
Vice President Robert Horr was promoted to the position of National Tolls Director and Tolls Sector Manager in the company’s USDOT Business Unit. Mr. Horr, who is well known in the industry from his service as chief executive of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and his 2013 term as IBTTA president, is based in Nashville. He replaces Fran O’Conner who recently left AtkinsRéalis to become the New Jersey DOT commissioner. Mr. Horr oversees the firm’s wide range of tolling sector services, including agency planning and program management, infrastructure engineering and project management and toll systems operations and maintenance.
Additionally, AtkinsRéalis announced:
- Thomas Delaney, Vice President, National Senior Business Development Director, is now responsible for “engaging with toll agencies, authorities, State DOT and private toll concessionaires to support their tolling infrastructure and systems.” Mr. Delaney has been with the firm for 31 years.
- Chris Bausher, PE, is now the Division Manager of the Florida Tolls region “ensuring AtkinsRéalis continues providing expert services to its Florida tolling agency clients.”
- Raymond Cunningham will the lead the Tolls Northeast region — which stretches from Maryland to Maine — as the division manager. With more than 27 years of toll and ITS systems development, implementation and maintenance experience, he will provide all-electronic tolling conversion support to the firm’s clients in the Northeast.
- Wayne Reed, PMP, an 18-year industry veteran, was named division manager for the Tolls East-Southeast region, which serves the firm’s clients in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Richmond (VA) Authority Will Close ORT Lanes For Weekend Maintenance Work
WRIC reports, the Richmond (Virginia) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA) announced that it will close the Downtown Expressway (VA 195) westbound toll plaza open-road toll lanes this weekend for “highway maintenance,” weather permitting. All traffic will be directed through the cash lanes between 7:00 AM, Saturday, April 13, and 8:00 PM, Sunday. E-ZPass will be accepted in the cash lanes.
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) ETC Systems Highway and Bridge Maintenance Open-Road Tolling Richmond (VA) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA) VirginiaThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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