America’s bridge replacement boom creates billions in infrastructure opportunities
by Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
America faces a massive bridge modernization challenge, with thousands of aging structures requiring repair or replacement. Major projects across the nation highlight growing investment opportunities as agencies prioritize safety, resilience, mobility and long-term infrastructure reliability.
Illinois General Assembly sends balanced $56B FY27 budget to governor’s desk
Illinois lawmakers approved a $55.9 billion FY2027 balanced budget focused on education, housing, healthcare and affordability initiatives. The plan expands funding for schools, food assistance and housing programs while introducing new taxes.
USDOT greenlights $466M investment in Washington Union Station modernization project
The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $465.8 million to modernize Washington Union Station, funding structural repairs, concourse expansion, accessibility upgrades and passenger amenities that will reduce congestion and support growing transit demand over the coming decades.
Denver advances $120M Boettcher Concert Hall renovation project
Denver is planning a $120 million renovation of Boettcher Concert Hall to modernize aging infrastructure, improve acoustics, seating and accessibility, and upgrade building systems, technology and public spaces.
Sacramento envisions ambitious $164M streetcar plan to improve downtown mobility, reconnection
The Sacramento Regional Transit District is advancing a $164.3 million streetcar project connecting downtown Sacramento and West Sacramento. The 1.8-mile line will improve regional mobility, expand transit access, modernize stations and support economic development.
FTA opens $166M NOFO to replace rail vehicles
The Federal Transit Administration is offering $166 million in FY2026 Rail Vehicle Replacement Program grants to help transit agencies replace aging railcars and locomotives, improve reliability and modernize fleets as many U.S. passenger rail vehicles exceed 25 years of age.
Mississippi to distribute $30M slated for coastal development, recovery projects
Mississippi has launched a $30 million Gulf Coast Restoration Fund grant round to support economic development, infrastructure and innovation projects across six coastal counties.
Kentucky, Wisconsin to deliver combined $95M for EV charging infrastructure projects
Kentucky and Wisconsin have launched grant opportunities totaling $95 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Funded through the NEVI program, the initiatives will support new charging stations, network upgrades and increased EV accessibility for long-distance travel.
Washington – Seattle has selected Shannon Smith to take over as chief technology officer (CTO). She will officially assume her duties on June 8.
Smith returns to the public sector after a two-year role with a private company. Her most recent public leadership position was as CIO chief of staff for King County, Washington. She has also served as the applications lead for technology business systems with Bellevue, Washington, and as senior IT manager with Seattle. Smith will replace Rob Lloyd in the role.
Louisiana – Ronald Baptiste has been chosen to assume the role of interim CEO for the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Baptiste currently serves as the authority’s director of procurement and grants. He has spent decades in various leadership roles for the transit and financial sectors. He will operate as interim CEO while RTA conducts its search for a permanent candidate.
Wisconsin – John Florsheim has been selected to join the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Board of Directors. Florsheim currently operates as president and COO of a private shoe company. He has spent more than three decades with the company and has held senior leadership positions since 2002. He will succeed Jack Salzwedel on the board.
California – Tomás Herrera-Mishler has stepped into his role as director of parks, recreation and community services (PRCS) for Culver City. His first day was June 1. Herrera-Mishler brings decades of experience delivering extensive park, public landscape and tourism planning projects across both private and public sectors. In the public sector, he was most recently with the city of Westminster, Colorado, for nearly three years as director of parks, recreation and libraries.
Virginia – Lavar Youmans has officially joined the city of Roanoke as its next assistant city manager, assuming his duties June 1. Youmans brings 16 years of experience to the role, most recently as county administrator for Hampton County, South Carolina.
Nevada – Michael Smith has been promoted to CTO for the Nevada Governor’s Technology Office. He has been with the office for more than four years, previously serving as deputy CIO/CTO, division chief for client services and as an IT manager. He also served as an IT professional for the state Department of Administration for six years.
Georgia – Lyn McDonald has been appointed as finance director for the city of Perry. She brings more than two decades of financial experience to the role, previously working for multiple private sector companies in the technology, manufacturing and banking industries.
Arkansas – The Benton County Solid Waste District has promoted Lydia Wilkerson to director. Wilkerson has been serving as interim director sine Jan. 1, simultaneously operating as the district’s assistant director. She originally joined the district in 2022 as a program manager. She succeeded Wendy Bland in the role.
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