July 12, 2013
Innovation Implementation: Programmatic Agreements
The Programmatic Agreements approach takes routine environmental requirements that are commonly encountered and looks at them programmatically, rather than individually by project. By getting all the various entities involved to sign off on such repetitive actions beforehand, more time can be taken in other areas, and the entire environmental process can be streamlined.
Take a look at what the state of Ohio has done with Programmatic Agreements:
Arizona Hosts Safety Edge Demonstration
The Maricopa County Department of Transportation, located in the Phoenix, AZ, metropolitan area, collaborated with FHWA’s Arizona Division and the Local Technical Assistance Program on a June 24 Safety EdgeSM workshop. The workshop included training and information on the Safety Edge and the county’s use of the technique on several paving projects. Participants visited a project on a rural road to watch a paving contractor use a Safety Edge shoe to pave the road with a Safety Edge treatment. Representatives of local agencies and contracting companies attended the event. The county obtained the Safety Edge shoe through Arizona's Local Agency Safety Edge grant program.
Florida Builds GRS-IBS Bridge
The Florida Department of Transportation has built the State’s first geosynthetic reinforced soil integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) in northeast Florida. The agency worked with a contractor to build the bridge in June in Nassau County, north of Jacksonville. Construction on a second GRS-IBS bridge is expected to start in late July in Nassau County. In conjunction with the project, FHWA is planning a demonstration for transportation professionals on how to use GRS-IBS technology to accelerate bridge construction.
Express Lanes Project Progresses in Georgia
FHWA has approved Finding of No Significant Impact/Environmental Assessment documentation for an I-75 express lanes project in Georgia and awarded a design-build contract. The $175 million project involves constructing a single reversible managed lane for a distance of 17 miles in Henry and Clayton Counties. In addition, the project will include intelligent transportation system components. Express toll lanes will be used to manage the lane.
Indiana Approves New STIC Charter
The 18-member Indiana State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) has approved a new charter that details how the STIC will implement the Every Day Counts initiative. The STIC includes representatives from FHWA, the Indiana Department of Transportation, a resource agency, a utility, metropolitan planning organizations, county engineers, engineering services professionals, pavement associations, and the research community.
