New Publication Highlights Virginia Transportation Project Innovation; Future Work Could Be in Jeopardy if Congress Doesn't Act on Highway Trust Fund

News provided by

American Road & Transportation Builders Association

May 14, 2015, 04:43 ET

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Innovative design and construction techniques, cutting-edge technologies, new materials, safety products and state-of-the-art heavy equipment are being deployed by the public and private sectors to deliver critical, and cost-effective, transportation improvement projects to communities across the U.S., a new publication from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) shows.

"Economy-Driven: Innovations Driving the ROI in U.S. Transportation Infrastructure" features 25 short case studies of projects that are benefitting U.S. taxpayers, including the restoration of 11 I-95 bridges in Virginia's Richmond region. The Virginia Department of Transportation used an approach called accelerated bridge construction, which utilizes innovative planning, material and construction methods to save time and money. Bridge replacement sections were built off site, taken apart, then transported and reassembled where needed on busy I-95. The entire project was completed more than three months ahead of schedule and about $16 million under budget.

"Economy Driven" has been sent to all members of Congress and more than 30,000 transportation design and construction professionals around the country to highlight the value and many benefits of transportation infrastructure investment.

ARTBA warns, however, that the ability of state transportation departments to complete similar projects in the future could be in jeopardy if Congress does not act soon to find a long-term permanent solution for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The latest authorization of federal highway and public transit funding expires May 31.

The HTF is the source, on average, of 52 percent of highway and bridge capital investments made by state governments annually. Virginia gets 57 percent of its annual capital outlays from the fund.

"Congress has created so much uncertainty in the marketplace with 32 short-term funding extensions that state transportation departments have little choice but to delay or cancel scheduled highway and transit improvement projects every year," ARTBA President Pete Ruane says. "This, in turn, jeopardizes private sector jobs and makes capital investment and hiring decisions more risky."

Ruane added: "It's time for Congress and the President to honestly explain the federal transportation investment situation to the American people and ask for their help in solving the nation's mobility problems."

The full "Economy Driven" publication can be read on ARTBA's "Transportation Makes America Work" website, www.tmaw.com.

Established in 1902, Washington, D.C.-based ARTBA is the "consensus voice" of the U.S. transportation design and construction industry before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, news media and the general public.

SOURCE American Road & Transportation Builders Association