September 6, 2013
Innovation Implementation: Locally Administered Federal-Aid Projects
In September, the spotlight is on locally administered Federal-Aid projects, which use about 15 percent of the Federal-Aid Highway Program budget each year. Every Day Counts is encouraging states to adopt three strategies to help local agencies administer projects successfully: stakeholder committees to promote communication, certification programs to ensure local agencies can manage the process and use of consultant services flexibilities on local projects.
The Federal Highway Administration is sponsoring an EDC Exchange on September 24 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. ET to review the three strategies and their benefits and highlight how several states are applying them. Designed for representatives of local and tribal agencies, the exchange will be held at central locations in each state. To attend, contact the FHWA division office in your state.
EDC Exchanges combine Web-based presentations by technical experts with in-person group discussions. They provide transportation managers with opportunities to network with peers, discuss strategies for implementing innovations, and get answers to their questions about the exchange topic from state and federal experts.
This video provides an introduction to Federal-Aid projects for local agencies:
California Event Features Traffic Incident Management
The newly released four-hour traffic incident management training from the second Strategic Highway Research Program was held on the last day of the Transportation Hazards and Security Summit and Peer Exchange in Irvine, Calif. Fifty-five highway agency emergency managers and public safety officers attended the August 23 session. It was sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Special Committee on Transportation Security and Emergency Management.
Connecticut Peer Exchange Focuses on Design-Build
FHWA held a design-build peer exchange on August 26 and 27 for Connecticut transportation professionals. The goal of the forum was to make decisions on how to successfully implement design-build in Connecticut. The first day focused on the construction and consultant community, while the second was aimed at Connecticut Department of Transportation staff. Experts from FHWA, state highway agencies and contractors spoke to the groups.
U.S. House Delegation Visits Maryland Project
Members of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure visited the I-95/Contee Road interchange design-build project in Prince George’s County, Md., in August. After hearing a presentation by state officials on the design and construction of the new interchange, they observed activity at the construction site. They also visited the Maryland State Highway Administration Statewide Operations Center in Hanover for a briefing on its traffic monitoring system and incident and traffic management.
New York Project Uses Accelerated Bridge Construction
The New York State Department of Transportation is using accelerated bridge construction to replace the I-84 overpass over Dingle Ridge Road in Putnam County. The project is a Highways for LIFE demonstration project and a SHRP 2 ABC Toolkit pilot. During the weekend of September 21 and 22, I-84 eastbound will be closed so the new bridge can be slid into place. The westbound bridge slide will take place on another weekend. The project can be viewed online throughout construction. A project showcase is scheduled for September 24 in Tarrytown, N.Y.
EDC Innovations on Peer Exchange Agenda
Among the topics to be discussed at a Bristol, Va., roadway departure safety peer exchange are high-friction surface treatments and the Safety EdgeSM. The exchange, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Transportation and FHWA, is set for September 10 and 11. Also on the agenda are other roadway departure countermeasures such as rumble strips and information on planning, design, specifications and contracting issues. Other states participating in the exchange are Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
