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Friday, May 2, 2008

Nation's Top Highway Official Says New SR 167 HOT Lanes in Washington State Will Cut Congestion

WASHINGTON, DC - Washington state's first first-ever high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on SR 167 will give drivers more choices and cut congestion in the Seattle area, Acting Federal Highway Administrator Jim Ray announced today. "Traffic jams don't need to be a fact of life," Ray said. "For a small price, HOT lanes give drivers more options to get home to their families and to work on time." [read the full release]

Friday, May 2, 2008

FHWA Launches Flagship Initiative to Collect Nationwide Data on Highway Bridges

WASHINGTON, DC - A 20-year research effort to collect data on bridges nationwide will lead to better investment decisions on bridges, Acting Federal Highway Administrator Jim Ray, announced today. "Bringing a strategic and national perspective to bridge research will offer tremendous benefits," Ray said. "The approach is forward-looking in providing the information bridge owners need to make the best investment decisions." [read the full release]

The Office of Operations launched a new Tolling and Pricing Program Web site. In an effort to create a more user friendly experience when searching for information about federal pricing programs, the new site includes valuable information that was once included on three separate sites: the Tolling and Pricing Opportunities, the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) and the VPPP site on the Knowledge Exchange. This is just the first step in streamlining information on one of the critical FHWA programs. In the future, the site will also feature a subject index that will help the user find the subjects they are looking for quickly instead of searching the entire site.

In FY 2006, six Department of Transportation (DOT) organizations received funding from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF consolidated financial statements are primarily comprised of the Highway Corpus Trust Fund, held by the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Public Debt, and certain accounts of the following operating administrations of the DOT; Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). This document provides information on the achievement of Department goals by the HTF modes, as well as provides the FY 2006 audited financial statements of the HTF. Read the Highway Trust Fund, FY 2006 Financial Report.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was enacted August 10, 2005, as Public Law 109-59. SAFETEA-LU authorizes the Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period 2005-2009.

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Eisenhower Interstate System. Since its initiation on June 29, 1956, the Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways has had a tremendous impact on our nation. Visit our anniversary Web site to explore the history of the interstate system - the backbone of the American economy. Visit the online exhibit:
Celebrating 50 Years: The Eisenhower Interstate Highway System

President Bush issued Executive Order 13274 on September 18, 2002 to enhance environmental stewardship and streamline the decision-making process in connection with major transportation projects. Visit the Environmental Stewardship and Transportation Infrastructure Project Reviews web site to find out more about the implementation of Executive Order 13274.

A Technical Advisory has been issued strongly advising that State Departments of Transportation and other bridge owners to immediately re-inspect bridges that are of similar type to the I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis.

Employment Opportunities

Jobs in the Federal Highway Administration

Planning A Trip? Your first stop should be the National Traffic and Road Closure Information web site and your second stop should be the Scenic Byways Web site.

The DOT FY 2008 Exhibit 300s are now available on the Web.

SAFETEA-LU; Opportunities for State and Other Qualifying Agencies to Gain Authority to Toll Facilities Constructed Using Federal Funds

A Federal Register Notice was published on January 6, 2006. The purpose of this notice is to explain the Federal-aid Highway programs now available as a result of SAFETEA-LU that grant permission to public authorities to enact tolls on motor vehicles. The notice is also intended to invite Expressions of Interest to participate in these programs and to introduce the Tolling and Pricing Opportunities Web site.

U.S. Highway 93 is a major north-south highway in the western United States, linking the four states of Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona. It also serves as the primary commercial corridor between Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. It is designated as a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) route between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Find out more in the May issue of "Successes in Stewardship".

FHWA is sponsoring web-based communities of practice (CoP's) to promote free and open knowledge exchange on such topics as environment and planning, air quality, high performance concrete, and transportation asset management. Join a group of your peers throughout the highway community to discuss, collaborate, and exchange ideas and practices on a wide range of interesting and timely topics on one of the FHWA Knowledge Communities.

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