- US Transportation Agencies Confront Weather Challenges This Summer
- Canada's New Transport Minister Faces Big Challenges
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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US Transportation Agencies Confront Weather Challenges This Summer
CBS News Austin reports, this summer’s high temperatures are taking a toll on TxDOT workers and the highways they maintain. “When the temperature outside is over 100 degrees the asphalt on Austin roads can be as hot as 160 degrees.” Those conditions require advance preparation by employees (increasing water intake), work schedule changes and break accommodations. Roadway buckling is reportedly a statewide problem, although, near Austin, TxDOT is mostly dealing with ruts and grooves left by passing cars.
And heat effects are also being seen in northern states. KNIS Radio reported yesterday, “[a] scorching summer heat wave” is creating highway maintenance problems around Minnesota’s Twin Cities. On Tuesday, the state DOT had to close both lanes of eastbound Highway 610 for several hours to repair buckling caused by a temperature surge. Local officials say they have had to postpone some summer maintenance work because of the heat’s effect on paving materials and equipment.
WCAX reports, Vermont officials say the cost to repair damage to roads and bridges caused by early July’s catastrophic flooding now stands at $35 million but is “likely to go up significantly.” While many roads have reopened, seven “are still not passable and nearly 296 will require additional work, work that will be taking place in the weeks, months, and even years ahead.”
Climate Change & Infrastructure Resilience Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Minnesota Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) (MnPASS) Texas Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Vermont Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT)Canada's New Transport Minister Faces Big Challenges
The Canadian Press reports, Pablo Rodriguez, an Argentine-born member of parliament who represents a Quebec district, is Canada’s new federal transport minister as a result of a Trudeau cabinet shakeup. He takes over from Omar Alghabra, who had held the post since 2021. Alghabra was replaced after he announced he will not seek reelection to parliament. The article includes a profile of Rodriguez (a transportation industry newcomer), a look at the problems he is inheriting and a recap of Alghabra’s tenure.
Appointments-Promotions-Retirements Canada QuebecThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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