In the News

Federal contractors required to implement ethics and compliance programs 

On November 23, the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy amended the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require most federal contractors and subcontractors to adopt and promote a code of business ethics. The new rule also requires many if not most federal contractors and subcontractors to implement an ongoing business ethics awareness program and an internal control system intended to “facilitate timely discovery of improper conduct” and to “ensure corrective measures are promptly instituted”; and to display a federal fraud hotline poster “in common work areas,” or in the alternative, to establish a company hotline and post information on its use.  Full Story

AASHTO posts new video on YouTube

As part of its continuing push to provide better and faster information delivery to its members and the transportation community at large, AASHTO posted its first video on YouTube, a widely-visited video sharing service. The video "Transportation: A New Vision for the 21st Century" was shown recently at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, WI.  Full Story

ARTBA 2008 Economic Forecast: Modest real growth in highway construction market

Highway and bridge construction should continue to be among the most stable of U.S. construction markets during 2008, showing modest year-on-year growth, according to a forecast released by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) top economist. The value of construction work performed on highway and bridge projects will grow to just under $78 billion in 2008, representing a three to four percent increase over the estimated $75.5 billion during 2007.  Full Story

Gov. Ritter names new members to Colorado Transportation Commission

Colorado governor Bill Ritter announced the appointments and re-appointments of six Coloradans to the Colorado Transportation Commission, which establishes policies and priorities for the Department of Transportation. The Colorado Transportation Commission began as a three-member Highway Commission in 1909 to approve highway work and distribute funds. Today, as an 11-member commission, it allocates funding and sets goals and policy for the Colorado Department of Transportation.  Full Story

Illinois DOT approves revised Prairie Parkway Corridor Protection Map

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced the approval of the revised Corridor Protection Map for the proposed Prairie Parkway. The Prairie Parkway is a future transportation facility that will serve regional traffic providing a link between Interstate 80 and Interstate 88 through Grundy, Kendall and Kane counties. The Corridor Protection Map is used to help preserve the corridor for this future transportation facility. Corridor Protection is a legal process established by the Illinois state legislature.  Full Story

Nevada signs agreement to speed use of BLM land for highway needs

The process to use Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land for Nevada freeway needs has been streamlined with a new agreement between the BLM, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The 69-page Memorandum of Understanding and Operating Manual streamlines processes for obtaining right-of-way and environmental clearances for Nevada Department of Transportation use of BLM lands, from road-building to excavation for road materials. BLM administers nearly 48 million acres of public land in Nevada, approximately 67 percent of the state's total lands.  Full Story

ARTBA plan outlines clear federal role in surface transportation

Major changes are necessary if America wants to have a network that is safer and able to handle the huge increase in traffic expected during this century. That’s the core finding in a comprehensive 72-page report  released by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). It is the result of a 16-month examination of current federal transportation law, policy and administration by a special ARTBA task force. Full Story

Ingersoll-Rand Completes Sale of Bobcat

Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited  announced that it has completed the sale of its Bobcat, Utility Equipment and Attachments business units to Doosan Infracore for gross proceeds of approximately $4.9 billion, and net cash proceeds of approximately $3.75 billion.  Full Story

Trail King Industries Opens New Plant In West Fargo, North Dakota

Trail King Industries has opened a new manufacturing plant at 2130 3rd Ave. NW, West Fargo, ND.

The new West Fargo plant spans 160,000 square feet, and presently employs 175. John Rust, vice president of operations in West Fargo, said the plant will employ more than 225 by this time next year.

“We grew out of our old facility, and wanted to make an investment in the West Fargo community by owning our own plant,” Rust said. “We’ve had an excellent relationship with this community, and find our employees possess an outstanding work ethic,” he said. “So we’re excited to be making this next step in Trail King’s continued growth here in West Fargo.”

“Primary sector businesses such as Trail King Industries create jobs and drive our State’s economy. The expansion of Trail King reflects our good business climate and North Dakota’s outstanding and talented workforce.”

Trail King has installed several new pieces of equipment, such as state-of-the-art plasma torches and press brakes, that will increase production capabilities and allow the plant to become even more self-sufficient, Rust said.

Advanced Striping Equipment moves to new facility

Advanced Striping Equipment, in Better Road's Top 50 Products of the Year listing, has moved to 153 Fleet Drive, PO Box 2199, Villa Rica, GA. 30180, 30 miles west of Atlanta. Two adjacent 10,000-sq.-ft. buildings house corporate office headquarters, inventory, shipping, receiving and assembly, and the welding and fabrication warehouse.  Full Story

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Funding

Oregon road-user fee pilot shows "per mile" fee viable

After a one-year pilot conducted in the Portland area with more than 280 volunteers, the Oregon Department of Transportation reports that a mileage fee could feasibly replace the gas tax as the principal revenue source for road funding. The pilot program showed that the mileage fee could be paid at the pump, with minimal difference in process or administration for motorists, compared to how they pay the gas tax. Like the gas tax, collection of the mileage fee can be embedded within routine commercial transactions.  Full Story

Missouri transportation leaders discuss future funding options

If Missourians want to continue to see road and bridge improvements, they'll need to work with the state's leadership to find ways to finance them.  Otherwise, it will be difficult to maintain Missouri's highway system in its current condition. That was the message that came out of a conference held today on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus to examine ways to deal with the drop in transportation funding the state is facing.  The event was sponsored by the university's Truman School of Public Affairs and the Missouri Department of Transportation.   Full Story

Kentucky releases 2008 construction procurement letting schedule

The Kentucky Transportation Commission has released its 2008 schedule for contract letting, including last day to advertise federal-aid projects and last day to advertise state-funded projects.  Full Story

Oregon DOT seeks enhancement project proposals

The Oregon Department of Transportation is seeking project proposals for the federally-funded Transportation Enhancement program. Approximately $13 million is available statewide for projects that strengthen the cultural, aesthetic and environmental value of the transportation system. Proposed projects must be ready for contract in 2011 - 2012.  Full Story

WSDOT announces funding for 36 Transportation Enhancement projects

Washington State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond announced the selection of 36 projects across the state that will receive a total of almost $15 million in federal transportation enhancement funding. Transportation enhancement funds are received by each state as a portion of overall federal transportation funding.  Full Story

WisDOT announces public-private partnership with Kohler Company

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and the Kohler Company have entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), evaluating the benefits of adding a partial event-only interchange on I-43 between WIS 42 and County XX in Sheboygan County to serve future event traffic. Though both the 2004 PGA Championship and the 2007 Senior Open at Kohler Company’s Whistling Straits in the town of Mosel were very successful, WisDOT and the Kohler Company realized traffic management needed to be enhanced for future major golf events. 

Safety Issues

Commitment to highway and bridge preservation, call for 21st Century transportation priorities task force focal points of ODOT’s 2008-2009 Business Plan

Calling for a new dialogue on how best to determine Ohio’s transportation priorities and identify the fairest ways to finance them, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) unveiled its 2008-2009 Business Plan, highlighted by a commitment to fully fund the preservation of Ohio’s current highways and bridges, and creation of a statewide 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force to identify priority transportation improvements to move the state forward and innovative new ways to finance them. The ODOT Business Plan, required every two years under Ohio law, also details the department’s new mission which emphasizes a multi-modal approach to modernizing the state’s transportation system.  Full Story

Innovations

Spanish Company Introduces New Road Construction Approach to Florida

Global Via Infraestructuras (GVI), a global leader of major urban highway projects, has opened an office in Miami. GVI specializes in the investment and management of infrastructure concessions, such as toll roads. Among the top five largest concession developers in the world, GVI currently manages 37 concessions, 20 of which are toll roads. The company’s approach to infrastructure development, which is common in Europe, Australia and other major countries, is focused on creating needed infrastructure while enhancing regional economic development, including congestion relief. While the local governments retain ownership of the highways, project developers are compensated based on what are known as “availability payments."  Full Story

MoDOT Wins Missouri Quality Award

The Excellence in Missouri Foundation has honored MoDOT with its 2007 Missouri Quality Award.   The award, modeled after the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, is the official state recognition for excellence in quality leadership.  It is recognized as one of the strongest state-level quality award programs in the country. Only one other state agency has ever achieved this honor - the Missouri Department of Revenue in 2000. In giving the award, the foundation cited MoDOT's visionary leadership and its use of innovative tools and programs to meet its customers' transportation needs.  Full Story

NYSDOT honored for Green and Blue Highways initiative

The New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT)  statewide Green and Blue Highways Program has been honored by the Federal Highway Administration as an Exemplary Ecosystem Initiative for its demonstration of environmental stewardship. The Green and Blue Highways Program was launched in 2005 as a way to encourage implementation of various low- or no-cost maintenance and operation activities across the state that protect and enhance the environment.  Full Story

Virginia DOT receives 2007 “green” leadership award

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) received the 2007 Green Leadership Award in the government category Wednesday from the James River Green Building Council (JRGBC) for its design and construction of the new Interstate 64 West Safety Rest Area in New Kent County. Opened in April 2007, the 9,000 square foot safety rest area not only has traveler amenities such as restroom facilities, vending and information kiosks, but it also has environmentally friendly features.  Full Story

Economic Indicators

Construction Spending

Total construction activity for October 2007 ($1,158.3 billion) was 0.8 percent below the revised September 2007 ($1,168.0 billion). For more details: http://www.census.gov/constructionspending . 11/30/07

New Home Sales

Sales of new one-family houses in October 2007 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 728,000. This is 1.7% above the revised September 2007 figure of 716,000. 11/29/07

Housing Starts/Building Permits

Privately-owned housing starts in October 2007 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,229,000. This is 3.0 percent above the revised September 2007 estimate of 1,193,000. 11/20/07

Economy At A Glance: http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm

• Top Products of the Year

• 2008 Events Calendar

• Top Trends to Watch in 2008

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