- Louisiana DOT Could Forfeit $150 Million Calcasieu Bridge Mega Grant In March
- Wayne Six Toll Bridge Passes Precautionary Inspection Precipitated By Volume Surge
- Ohio Brings First NEVI-Funded EV Charging Station Online
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Louisiana DOT Could Forfeit $150 Million Calcasieu Bridge Mega Grant In March
KPLC News provides an updated timeline of Louisiana’s I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge project in Lake Charles. The article notes that Louisiana DOTD and Plenary-led Calcasieu Bridge Partners (CBP) now have until February 1, 2024, to convince state lawmakers to reverse their disapproval of a proposed $2.1 billion P3 replacement contract. If they fail, and if an alternative financing and construction plan isn’t submitted to USDOT by the following month, USDOT will rescind a $150 million Mega Grant it awarded last December. When lawmakers rejected the P3 proposal, transportation secretary Dr. Eric Kalivoda is reported to have commented “that the state was missing its chance to replace the bridge. But some area lawmakers felt more options should be explored. Some feared the project would never happen despite its significance.”
Louisiana Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) P3 & Privatization Plenary Group US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Gov't Transportation Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing InitiativesWayne Six Toll Bridge Passes Precautionary Inspection Precipitated By Volume Surge
WTOV reports that the 119-year-old Wayne Six Toll Bridge (formerly the Newell Bridge) linking East Liverpool, Ohio, and Newell, West Virginia, passed an independent inspection yesterday. Bridge owner Frank Six said the span is routinely inspected annually, most recently in October. But he commissioned an extra inspection Thursday in response to community concern that the aged span might not be able to safely handle the increased traffic it’s seeing due to this week’s emergency closure of the nearby Jennings Randolph Bridge. The West Virginia Division of Highways estimates that, weather permitting, Randolph bridge repairs will be complete in a few weeks. Tolls on the Wayne Six span will not be lifted in the meantime. Frank Six explained that continued tolling “will allow for future bridge upgrades.”
Ohio Brings First NEVI-Funded EV Charging Station Online
WANE reports, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) and other officials held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday to mark the opening of the first electric vehicle (EV) charging station funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. “The charging station is capable of providing up to 350 kW when charging a single vehicle. When four vehicles are charging simultaneously, each port will receive up to 175 kW, which is enough power to charge an EV up to 80% in 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s battery.” Two dozen more charging stations are planned by the end of 2024, and the state is accepting proposals for its second round of NEVI funding distribution until January 25, 2024. In all, Ohio will have $140 million in NEVI funds to distribute over five years. The article notes that Ohio has been at the forefront of mobilizing the NEVI program. “Electric vehicles are the future of transportation, and we want drivers in Ohio to have access to this technology today,” DeWine said.
The Highland County Press republishes an Ohio DOT news release on the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Elsewhere, Minnesota DOT has opened the application window for its first round of NEVI distributions, “Government Technology” reports. The funding “will be used to build 18 fast charging stations along the Alternative Fuel Corridors designated by the federal government — Interstate 94 and I-35.”
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Minnesota Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) (MnPASS) Ohio Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) US Department of Transportation (USDOT) US Government Highway Funding US Infrastructure Funding And Financing InitiativesThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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