Daily News Briefs, September 20, 2023

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Frank Hoare Nominated To Lead NY Thruway On Permanent Basis

Frank Hoare, current interim executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), has been nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul (D) to officially take the helm as executive director of the agency, The Daily Gazette reports. The state Senate will consider the nomination in January. Hoare joined NYSTA in 2020 as general counsel and stepped into the interim role in December 2022 upon the departure of Matt Driscoll. The article looks at Mr. Hoare’s career and his experience in the acting role, which included advocacy for the toll rate increases approved Monday by the authority board.

Appointments-Promotions-Retirements New York New York State Thruway Authority

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Oklahoma Is Studying VMT-Fee As Potential Gas Tax Replacement

The Norman Transcript reports, “The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is conducting the Fair Miles Oklahoma pilot project [to study] a pay-per-mile alternative to the existing 20-cent tax that is added on to each gallon of fuel. The study was authorized in 2021 by the state Legislature and must be completed no later than Dec. 31, according to House Bill 1712.” Funding for the $3.9 million pilot is split equally between ODOT and a federal alternative transportation grant. More than 440 volunteers are reporting their mileage through various methods, including integrated vehicle technology, an on-board reporting device, and an app that supports odometer image submission. Mock invoices are sent to the drivers, but no payments are actually due. Potential registration fee increases are not within the study’s scope.

Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Oklahoma Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Road Use Charging (RUC-MBUF-VMT) Transportation and Infrastructure Research & Development US Gov't Transportation Funding

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West Virginia Opens Landmark Bridge Built By Flatiron

WTOV reports, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) joined other state and local officials at today’s all-day celebration of the opening of the $131 million Wellsburg Bridge, which spans the Ohio river in the state’s northern panhandle. It’s hoped the new facility will spur the development of manufacturing activity in the narrow region located between the state’s borders with Ohio and Pennsylvania.

MetroNews reports, the new bridge — which is not tolled but was financed through Governor Justice’s $2.8 billion, toll-supported Roads to Prosperity program — is regarded as an “engineering marvel” because the state’s contractor, Flatiron Construction, devised a way to build the 830-foot main span on the West Virginia side of the river and then float it into place using two barges.

Flatiron West Virginia West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) West Virginia Parkways Authority (West Virginia Turnpike)

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San Miguel Corporation Tollway Construction Proposal Gets Provincial Backing

Philippine News Agency reports, the Quezon Provincial Council voted to support a proposal endorsed by the province’s development body to build a 61-kilometer (37.9-mile) toll road — part of Toll Road 5 — between the Luzon communities of Silangang Mayao and Gumaca. The project, proposed by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC), has an estimated cost of PHP 28.1 billion (approximately USD 495 million). Backers maintain the tollway will spur economic development in the region. However, one provincial councilor expressed concerns about rights of way and environmental issues. He also cited open questions about the unfinished Toll Road 4, linking Lucena City to Batangas Province. A meeting to address these issues with relevant national agencies and SMC is in the works.

P3 & Privatization Philippines San Miguel Corporation (South Luzon Tollway)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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