Federal leadership is revving up around the importance of addressing, and efficiently completing critical transportation projects around the country, via an “America is Building Again” agenda. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is steadily releasing funds to get road, bridge, and flood resiliency projects with “significant local impact” off the ground.
More Safety, Less Congestion
With the goal of spurring economic growth, while improving safety and reducing congestion, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is awarding millions in grants across the country through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Specifically, funding is aimed at supporting “critical roadway, transit, rail, maritime, and aviation infrastructure improvements,” and a list of awards can be reviewed here: BUILD Grants. As Construction Dive reports, “The eligibility requirements of BUILD allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs.” The push to significantly improve surface transportation reflects an “America is Building Again” agenda focused on:
- Enhancing transportation safety.
- Accelerating project delivery for transportation projects….
- Investment in transportation infrastructure that promotes economic growth, including more private sector investment.
- Strengthening partnerships with states and other stakeholders.
Given the long-deferred attention to infrastructure needs across the country, commitments to accelerate progress are vital, as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has underscored: “Infrastructure inefficiencies like power outages, uneven roads, time spent in traffic, load restrictions on bridges and leaking water pipes all have consequences for businesses and consumers…” Analysis by the ASCE has found that the infrastructure category most in need of increased investment is surface transportation, and the consequences of failure are steep: “Continuing to defer maintenance and modernization is impacting our ability to compete in a global marketplace and maintain a high quality of living domestically.” Other infrastructure categories that require ambitious attention and investment, according to the ASCE, include energy, water (drinking, waste and stormwater), water transportation and aviation. Taken together, the infrastructure challenges now require significant, sustained, and collaborative attention, as one leader sums up: We need continued action at the federal level and collaboration from state and local governments and the private sector if we are going to succeed in transforming our aging infrastructure network to be more sustainable, resilient and best suit the future needs of American households and businesses.”
Good To Know: State Commitments
Given the likelihood that a weather disaster of some kind is “just around the bend,” in most regions of the country, it’s good news that many states have steadily been green-lighting infrastructure resilience and preparedness projects. Here’s a sampling of state initiatives aimed at keeping us safe from the next big storm:
- Texas: Commissioners in Harris County, Texas, have announced a disaster recovery and preparedness initiative designed to mitigate flood risks in the Vince Bayou Watershed….The area is particularly vulnerable to flooding because of its flat topography….The project, funded through a $15 million bond, will be designed to improve stormwater detention and channel conveyance systems….
- Maryland: Officials in the coastal town of Crisfield, Maryland, are planning a major flood mitigation project to protect the area from tidal waves and storm surges. With…$36 million in federal funding, the project’s objective will be to safeguard the area by constructing a tidal flood protection barrier and improving the existing internal drainage system.
- New Hampshire: A $20.26 million reconstruction project to rebuild seawalls and revetments to protect a coastal roadway between North Hampton and Rye, New Hampshire, will be launched. The area currently suffers from rising sea levels and the increasing frequency of coastal storms.
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