The U.S. Federal Transit Administration recently awarded $300 million for upcoming projects designed to expand and modernize the nation’s ferry systems. Specifically, the funding will support 18 new projects in 14 states, including replacing old vessels with electric ships, upgrading the waterfront facilities and modernizing the systems with technology. Alaska’s Department of Transportation was recently […]
Just over a decade ago, a sweeping trend was very noticeable as state agencies, cities, counties, transit authorities and higher education institutions added Innovation Officers at the executive levels of organizational charts. These individuals were hired to play a strategic role – one that would incorporate new thinking into operations. The primary objective in adding […]
Rarely does Congress pass a bill that allocates $50 billion to cities and counties to support water infrastructure projects. But that happened when the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed by Congress several years ago. That funding was made available because of the critical need to protect and expand water infrastructure throughout America. As of May […]
A brownfield property is an abandoned site that has been contaminated by previous industrial use. Many brownfield properties are the former sites of dry-cleaning firms, manufacturing plants or gas stations. To be used, the site must be remediated and made safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded remediation projects for years and recently announced […]
The U.S. is experiencing a significant surge in population growth in certain regions, increasing the demand for enhancing or expanding basic infrastructure. Public officials in high–growth regions struggle to expand housing, water, roadways, education facilities, healthcare and public safety. Southern states, including South Carolina, Florida and Texas, increased their populations about four times faster than […]
The sustainable construction market in the U.S. was valued at $99.8 billion in 2023, and that number has continued to grow in 2024. Billions in funding are currently available in 2024 for these types of projects, and more could be allocated soon because Congress is focused on maintaining public assets. Sustainable building practices provide a […]
Public officials at the local government level are initiating large, innovative, and forward-thinking projects aimed at enhancing economic prosperity in various regions of the country over the next few decades. Many of the projects are funded by federal programs, with billions yet to be allocated before the end of 2026 unless the programs are reauthorized—which […]
School district construction throughout the U.S. is rampant currently, and it promises to be the same in 2025. That’s probably because a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted that 54% of all schools in America were in dire need of updates or complete building replacements as long ago as 2020. In fact, the […]
At a time when project needs are so great throughout America, it is hard to understand why some cities and states have not endorsed public-private partnerships (P3s). Billions of funding support is available for critically needed efforts, but many of the federal funding programs require some percentage of private sector investment, so the projects become […]
Throughout America, healthcare facilities have been aging for years. Most are long overdue for modernization, and many need to be replaced because they can no longer meet the needs of the communities they serve. Public healthcare infrastructure is funded through a combination of federal, state and local government sources. In recent years, the federal government […]
Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $1.7 billion in funding for upcoming projects at airports in America. The budget was allocated several years ago when Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The recent allocation is significant, but there’s more to come. A total of $3.35 billion will be awarded in 2024 for airport projects. […]
Port infrastructure in America is a critical component of economic growth, and because of that, significant capital investments distributed through grants allocated by the federal government are common. It has been estimated that between 2021 and 2025, federal investment in port infrastructure will be approximately $163 billion. These investments are focused on enhancing capacity and […]
Many federal programs support revitalization projects for cities and specific neighborhoods and currently, there is an abundance of revenue flowing to cities. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is one of the oldest and best-known programs supporting municipal revitalization projects. The federal agency also […]
Welcome to the future! Public transportation is evolving so rapidly that it feels as if travel options are changing faster than ever thought possible. New ride options are abundant, and everything is being done to provide convenience. In many parts of the country, affordable housing and new communities are being created near transit loading stations. […]
Technology is changing the world as we know it! It seems new technological advances are emerging at the speed of light – and the world shifts a bit with each new development. Sensors and advanced technology now monitor public officials’ activities in hundreds of ways, and artificial intelligence is already providing them with the assistance […]
There is a significant trend to watch as cryptocurrency gains momentum and acceptance. If this trend continues, it will bring about many changes throughout America. The total global value of cryptocurrency now is approximately $3 trillion, and while that may sound small considering the world’s GDP, it is significant because of how quickly that value […]
Clean and renewable energy continues to get abundant attention, and the funding support flowing to support clean power projects is historic. Approximately $3 trillion is invested in energy globally each year, and $2 trillion of that amount is devoted to renewable energy. Hundreds of billions have been invested in clean energy initiatives in the United […]
Light Detection and Ranging technology (LiDAR) delivers critical data to protect the health of our ecosystems, and government officials use it extensively. This particular type of technology is not well known to everyone, but the benefits it provides make it worthy of note. Simply put, LIDAR provides a unique way to check for natural hazards […]
Congress continues to allocate billions to a long-overdue effort to make the country’s bridges safer. About 50,000 bridges in America recently were deemed structurally unsound, and weather-related events are taking a huge toll on bridge structures. Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $5 billion in awards for 13 large bridge projects. Many of […]
Unexpected disasters of every type are extremely costly. It might be surprising to realize that earthquakes in the U.S. cost about $15 billion annually in economic losses. While earthquakes are less common, there have been 28 earthquakes reaching a magnitude of 6 or greater in the past decade. Most of the risk is concentrated on […]
Universities throughout the country are investing significant capital in existing campus facilities. National statistics show these types of initiatives are increasing significantly. The state of Texas is an excellent example of this emerging trend. A report by the Texas Higher Education Board indicates that 923 capital expenditure projects are planned for the Texas university system […]
Earlier this month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $1 billion for 656 new climate resiliency projects. The capital was awarded to support projects that address infrastructure risks and prepare for future natural disasters, including flooding, drought, earthquakes and extreme heat. Approximately $395 million will be invested in 28 flood-control projects designed to eliminate […]
Courthouses and other municipal buildings are being renovated and upgraded throughout the U.S. That’s because funding for them continues to be available, and that is good news. But even better is the fact that many upcoming projects carry projected costs representing hundreds of millions in contracting opportunities. While the federal government supports local municipal and […]
The most notable recent news in American infrastructure broke last week when the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $1.8 billion in new funding for 148 infrastructure projects. My previous column covered many of the projects already selected for that funding. Today’s column focuses on more projects chosen for this new funding. The upcoming projects described in […]
Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $1.8 billion in funding for 148 infrastructure projects. Most of the funding is available for projects that make streets safer for people who travel on them in any way. Work on these projects should be under way by November of this year, and funding of this type […]
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