Biden names MassDOT Secretary as FHWA deputy administrator Biden names MassDOT Secretary as FHWA deputy administrator Pam / Thursday, January 21, 2021 0 7160 Article rating: No rating President Joe Biden named Stephanie Pollack as deputy administrator for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the departure of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Pollack and named her successor, according to a news release from the governor’s press office today. Pollack will also serve as acting administrator for FHWA until a permanent administrator is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, according to the release. Read more
ATSSA joins stakeholders in urging Biden to commit to zero fatalities by 2050 ATSSA joins stakeholders in urging Biden to commit to zero fatalities by 2050 Pam / Thursday, January 21, 2021 0 5416 Article rating: No rating ATSSA, along with more than 70 other organizations, sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden on Wednesday urging him to commit to reaching a goal of zero roadway fatalities by 2050. “Reaching zero fatalities has been a longtime priority for ATSSA,” said Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith. “Our advocacy work in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals around the country is consistently urging legislators to make progress towards that goal.” Read more
Industry report lays out COVID-19 relief funding to DOTs by state Industry report lays out COVID-19 relief funding to DOTs by state Latest package sends nearly $10 billion to DOTs across the country Pam / Thursday, January 21, 2021 0 6144 Article rating: No rating The latest COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress included nearly $10 billion in federal funds for transportation as reported here last month. The vast majority of that money--$9.8 billion—will go to state departments of transportation (DOTs) across the country. Industry publication Construction Dive has now gathered details of the amounts expected to go to each state DOT as well as the DOT for the nation’s capital, and created a chart detailing the allotments. Its report also details how the money will be allotted and indicates that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is to distribute the funds within 30 days of the bill’s signing by former President Donald Trump, which took place Dec. 27. Read more
Citing Capitol riot, Transportation Secretary Chao submits resignation Citing Capitol riot, Transportation Secretary Chao submits resignation Pam / Thursday, January 7, 2021 0 5077 Article rating: No rating Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao today announced that she would be resigning from her position, with her final day coming on Jan. 11. In a letter to her colleagues at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) posted to Twitter, Chao wrote, “Yesterday, our country experienced a traumatic and entirely avoidable event as supporters of the President stormed the Capitol building following a rally he addressed. As I’m sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside.” Read more
Biden expected to choose Buttigieg as transportation secretary Biden expected to choose Buttigieg as transportation secretary Pam / Tuesday, December 15, 2020 0 6070 Article rating: 4.3 President-elect Joe Biden will be nominating former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), according to multiple reports. Buttigieg, who is also the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., rose to national prominence after a surging presidential run in his bid for the Democratic nomination earlier this year. Buttigieg appears to have emerged from among contenders for the position such as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. During his presidential campaign, Buttigieg introduced an infrastructure plan that garnered support across the transportation industry. Read more