Volume 13, Issue 7 - Wednesday, February 17, 2021 |
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North Atlantic Rail concept features NYC-Boston tunnel link |
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Pennsylvania – A $105 billion plan to connect seven New England states and downstate New York by high-speed rail is gaining traction.
Developed at the University of Pennsylvania, the high-speed North Atlantic Rail would transport passengers at speeds of more than 200 mph and reduce travel time between New York City and Boston to 100 minutes via a 16-mile tunnel under Long Island Sound.
This federal-state partnership would be created to fund and implement the program, leveraging new procurement methods and public-private partnership (P3) ventures to accelerate investments.
The 20-year project’s early efforts would focus on the top-priority projects of each state along the line to improve and build upon existing infrastructure.
Priority investments into the new system would be:
- New York - New high-speed rail line from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station. New Haven Line modernization from Port Chester and New Rochelle to Penn Station and Grand Central.
- Massachusetts - East-West Rail Line from Boston-Worcester-Springfield, and potential extension to Pittsfield. Transformation of Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail into a regional rail network with extensions to Fall River and New Bedford and electrification of Fairmount, Lynn, and Providence service. Construction of North-South Rail Link.
- Connecticut - New Haven and Hartford Line modernization by adding double track and electrification of Waterbury and Danbury branch lines and upgrading the Hartford - Springfield line.
- New Hampshire - New commuter rail link from Manchester and Nashua to Boston.
- Vermont - Modernization and extension of Valley Flyer service from Greenfield to White River Junction and beyond. New passenger rail link between Burlington and Montreal.
- Maine - Modernization of Downeaster Service to Portland and Brunswick and extension to Lewiston-Auburn and possibly to Bangor.
The concept represents 5 percent of a $2 trillion infrastructure program benefiting a region that contains 11 percent of the nation’s population, 14 percent of its economy and an even larger share of its tax base, and more than 66 percent of U.S. rail ridership.
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Wilmington Harbor to deepen, widen navigation channel |
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North Carolina – The U.S. Congress authorized the $834 million Wilmington Harbor Navigation Improvement Project, which includes deepening and widening the navigation channel and extending the ocean entrance channel farther offshore.
The preferred plan would deepen the Wilmington Navigational Harbor to 47 feet, allowing it to accommodate larger, deep-draft container vessels, and enabling carriers to continue to utilize the Port of Wilmington as a port-of-call for U.S. East Coast-Asia services.
Additional steps include:
- Avoiding impacts to groundwater resources.
- Avoiding impacts to existing waterfront infrastructure.
- Avoiding or minimizing impacts to recreational boaters and commercial fishing vessels using the channel.
- Avoiding or minimizing impacts to natural and historic resources.
The project must undergo the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process that ensures it is environmentally sound.
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Memphis issues RFI for Advanced Traffic Management System |
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Tennessee – The city of Memphis Traffic Engineering Department released a request for information (RFI) on Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) software ahead of an anticipated fall procurement.
Memphis is exploring potential next generation ATMS software to integrate the city’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) devices through a single interface. The ATMS utilizes new traffic management technology to better manage city traffic.
The city operates a system of more than 1,000 traffic control devices plus ITS devices in an area of approximately 330 square miles. Approximately 400 of the signalized intersections are interconnected. However, the city continues to expand the communications system with the goal of eventually being connected to all of the traffic control devices.
Memphis desires to utilize a single application to provide the ability to confirm, monitor, and control devices in real-time to manage the city’s roadways and intersections. Information would be collected and disseminated to motorists about traffic conditions to support incident management, special events, and weather events.
This RFI has four objectives:
- Obtain information directly from the vendors to aid in determining what is available in today’s market.
- Identify baseline functionality common among the offered systems.
- Provide an opportunity for vendors to begin dialog with the city prior to a procurement process.
- Gather budget information associated with development, installation, and maintenance costs.
City officials anticipate the ATMS software would manage and operate all ITS devices, including roadside infrastructure and signals along the corridor. The city continues to explore emerging solutions to support real-time management of arterial congestion. The target deployment date is 2023.
The deadline for RFI responses is 2 p.m. on March 5.
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Miami Beach expected to issue RFP for office space development |
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Florida – A city of Miami Beach committee will discuss the results of a recent solicitation of interest to develop three city-owned public parking lots into Class A office space on Lincoln Lane North.
At their February 19 meeting, committee members are expected to recommend that the city issue a request for proposals (RFP) to capitalize on marketplace analysis that depicts a resilient local office market and continued interest among out-of-state tenants.
The City Commission may gauge whether interest exists among the real estate development industry for a potential public-private partnership (P3) on these lots.
Lot P25 measures a combined 37,116 square feet that provide 86 parking spaces available to the public. The land is zoned Government Use (GU), which is limited by the adjacent zoning. Redevelopment on the entire site could potentially reach a maximum built floor area of 83,511 square feet.
Lot P26 is a combined 48,863 square feet that offer 106 public parking spaces. Redevelopment on the entire site could reach a maximum floor area of 134,373 square feet.
Surface Parking Lot P27 measures a combined 60,202 square feet that offer a total of 151 parking spaces available to the public. Redevelopment on the entire site could reach a maximum floor area of 165,555 square feet.
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Denver transit district explores partnerships for $2B rail expansion |
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Colorado – The Denver Regional Transit District (RTD) is considering partnerships and exploring funding options to begin work on the Northwest Rail Line expansion and other projects.
Planners estimated the capital cost at $2.09 billion to $2.35 billion to complete four major projects, including the Northwest Rail project to extend RTD’s B Line to Boulder and Longmont by 35.3 miles. The other projects involve the extension of the Central and Southwest corridors and completion of North Metro.
A full corridor buildout with all-day service was estimated in 2018 at $1.5 billion in capital costs, plus $20.6 million in annual operation and maintenance costs, for a projected ridership of 4,100 people each day in the first year.
The most recent studies that have been conducted show sustained interest in the line being built and operated at a “peak” level of service, providing three one-way trains running between Longmont and Denver during both the morning and afternoon peak periods at a 30-minute frequency.
Completing the project at this level of service would cost, in 2018 dollars, more than $708 million to build and $14 million each year to operate and maintain, with a projected ridership of 800 people each day in the opening year.
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New York seeks input on case management-workflow system |
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New York – The state’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued a request for information (RFI) for a case management-workflow system with support and maintenance.
DFS currently uses a customized case management-workflow platform with separate applications to manage multiple business processes within the department such as tracking counsel assignments, consumer complaints, correspondence, cases, Freedom of Information Act requests, rate and form filings, and legal opinions.
The new solution will be hosted at the New York State Data Center. It must be compatible with an Oracle database and allow for integration with two-factor authentication. Integration with the DFS Active Directory is required.
It must use only standardized and extensively reviewed encryption algorithms and encrypt all sensitive information in transit and at rest.
In addition, the system must protect all information stored on systems with file system, network share, claims, application, or database specific access control lists. These controls will enforce the principle that only authorized individuals should have access to the information based on their need to access the information as a part of their responsibilities.
RFI submissions are due March 16.
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South Carolina university to build $30M library complex |
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South Carolina – Coastal Carolina University (CCU) recently received authorization from the state to build a $29.8 million Library Learning Complex next to the existing Kimbel Library, which will undergo $10 million in renovations.
Tentative completion date for the Library Learning Complex is fall 2023, and Kimbel renovations are slated for completion in late 2024.
The two-story, 64,000-square-foot Library Learning Complex will integrate student spaces and services with immersive technologies. The first floor will feature a large makerspace, a virtual reality lab, data visualization, and individual studios for video/audio production. It will feature a large, open study area for collaboration and socialization and space for library services such as instruction and research assistance. The second floor will house areas such as academic tutoring and student computing services. Additional group study rooms will be located throughout the building.
Kimbel Library renovation plans, which are under development, involve an interior redesign and reconfiguration to include designated space for archives and special collections, overflow group-study space, multifunction instruction area, reading and conference rooms, restroom upgrades, and new paint, carpet, and lighting. The plans include a new HVAC system, suspended ceiling and associated lighting, and electrical upgrades to accommodate the new building’s features.
The two projects are being funded by the State Capital Reserve Fund, Horry County penny sales tax for education, and a private donation.
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Port authority moving forward on AirTrain at Newark airport |
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New Jersey – The Port Authority of New Jersey and New York published a draft environmental assessment of the project to replace the AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport.
No significant, permanent impacts were found in the proposed new AirTrain Newark, a 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system that will replace the existing AirTrain, which opened in 1996 and is increasingly vulnerable to more frequent breakdowns and delays.
In addition, the new system will provide seamless connections to other forms of transportation and provide modern wayfinding, digital tools and amenities in AirTrain stations and in vehicles.
To accommodate the future passenger growth at the airport, the Port Authority has embarked on several planned capital projects, beginning in 2017 with construction of a new $2.7-billion terminal to replace the existing Terminal A, and the development of a new Consolidated-Rent-a-Car Center (ConRAC).
The new AirTrain will connect to the new 1 million-square-foot terminal and the new consolidated rental car facility.
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Georgia county mulling P3 for mall redevelopment project |
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Georgia – Gwinnett County officials are considering a public-private partnership (P3) to redevelop the distressed Gwinnett Place Mall as they are set in March to purchase the property for $23 million.
The county will develop a master plan for the 90-acre site based on public input and previous studies to determine the best use of the property. A high-rise, public park, cricket stadium, shared stormwater management facility, and mixed-income housing and public transit area are some of the ideas previously shared for redevelopment.
In the coming months, Gwinnett County will begin a comprehensive planning process to explore ways to redevelop the site, actively engaging the County Department of Planning and Development, the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District and county residents to set a new vision for the property.
A P3 is essential to the area’s success, said the district’s executive director. In recent years, the county has acquired other parcels in the area, totaling 10 acres, to develop a new transit center. Additionally, these purchases will provide potential areas for stormwater management and other infrastructure needs associated with the potential redevelopment of the mall site.
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Pennsylvania politicians promoting downhill skiing at state park |
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Pennsylvania – State representatives are lending their support to efforts to revive downhill skiing operations at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County.
Officials are considering a public-private partnership (P3) as one option to bring downhill skiing back to the park for the first time since 2014, which the previous concessionaire closed its business. The park’s 8 miles of trails remain open for cross-country skiing.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently completed a feasibility study that evaluated downhill skiing and other year-round activities at the park. The study included a master plan that featured an Adventure Center concept.
Following a design phase, more than $12 million in state funding would go toward renovating the existing ski lodge in order to support four-season activities.
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Massachusetts issues RFI for health record modernization |
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Massachusetts – The state’s Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Mental Health (DMH) issued a request for information (RFI) for modernization of its Electronic Health Record (EHR).
They are seeking a new cloud-based EHR and integrated pharmacy system for the inpatient services operated by DPH and DMH, including pharmacy services provided by DPH State Office of Pharmacy Services (SOPS) and an integrated solution for DMH to manage and operate its Community Care System.
DMH completed a business process improvement analysis resulting in the identification of needed changes to its Community Care System operations, including four primary business process needs:
- Service authorization.
- Referral and enrollment.
- Contract monitoring and utilization management.
- Housing and service capacity management.
RFI submissions are due by 5 p.m. March 10.
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FTA offers $180M for low-emission facilities, vehicles |
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Washington, D.C. – The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will offer $180 million in competitive grants to encourage the construction of facilities that use advanced technologies to provide cleaner, more energy efficient transit operations.
In addition, purchases or leases of low- or no-emission vehicles are eligible for funds through FTA’s Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program.
This year’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will prioritize applications with an environmental justice component as well as those that will support workforce development activities for transit workers.
FTA is prioritizing projects that will help improve air quality in non-attainment and maintenance areas for certain criteria pollutants. Eligible applicants for Low-No funding include public transit agencies, state transportation departments, and Indian tribes.
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Virginia – Old Dominion University’s Board of Visitors selected Dr. Brian Hemphill to become the ninth president of Old Dominion this summer. He will succeed President John Broderick who is retiring. Hemphill currently serves as president of Radford University. He previously served as president of West Virginia State University and vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Northern Illinois University.
Ohio – The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) appointed Bob Ruzinsky as chief executive officer (CEO), effective April 1. He will succeed Mark Donaghy who is retiring. Ruzinksy is currently the organization’s deputy CEO. He has served in various positions with the RTA, including capital controller and human resources manager, and as chief financial officer with the Butler County RTA.
New York – The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority is expected to name Steven Lawrence as its executive director on March 4. He has been serving as the authority’s interim executive director since Wade Davis accepted a position as director of airports in Shreveport, Louisiana. Lawrence previously served as facilities manager and director of operations for the authority.
Wyoming – The Yellowstone Regional Airport Joint Powers Board selected Aaron Buck as the new airport manager, effective March 8. He will succeed Ryan Lee who has been serving in an interim capacity since Bob Hooper retired in September 2020. Buck most recently served as director of operations and safety at Casper Natrona County International Airport.
California – The Westminster City Council unanimously appointed Marwan Youssef as the new city manager. He will take over from Sherry Johnson who has been serving as the interim city manager since February 2020. Youssef most recently served as the city’s public works director. Prior to that, he was the city engineer for Westminster.
Georgia – Franklin County commissioners named Derrick Turner as the new county manager. He will succeed Beth Thomas who resigned as county manager in December 2020. Turner most recently served as budget director for the city of Lawrenceville.
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