Richard Ryding’s Post

Officials broke ground Monday on a new high-speed rail system that will connect Southern California and Las Vegas. The Brightline West system will average speeds of about 115 miles per hour and reach a top speed of around 200 mph, comparable to other high-speed systems around the world. The Eurostar between London and Paris averages speeds of about 150 mph and tops out at around 200 mph. Amtrak’s current Acela line from Boston to Washington, D.C., travels up to 150 mph, but averages speeds of just 70 mph. Acela has plans for a high-speed fleet that will reach 160 mph. The Brightline West system, touted as the “first true high-speed rail system” in the U.S., will run across a 218-mile route between Las Vegas and three California stops including Rancho Cucamonga, about 40 miles east of Los Angeles. The project received $3 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the rest will be privately funded, according to the company. “I’m convinced that the first time Americans actually experience American high-speed rail on U.S. soil, there’s going to be no going back and people are going to expect and demand it all across the country,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a CNBC interview on Monday. Brightline West aims to be operational in 2028, when Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics. The train will get passengers from Southern California to Las Vegas in about two hours, about half the driving time according to the company. The project is expected to have an over $10 billion economic impact and will create more than 35,000 jobs in Nevada and California during the construction, according to the release. “Through this visionary partnership, we are going to create thousands of jobs, bring critical transportation infrastructure to the West, and create an innovative, fast, and sustainable transportation solution,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a statement Monday. Brightline’s first rail system launched in Florida and the route spans between Miami and Orlando. Trains reach speeds of up to 125 mph, connecting the two cities in about 3.5 hours.

#Connecticut political leaders secure $125M federal grant for Interstate interchange upgrade in Meriden. The grant supports phase 3 of the project, aimed at reducing congestion, improving safety, and modernizing the dangerous roadway configuration that connects Interstate 91, Interstate 691 and Conn. Route 15 in #Meriden. The cost of the project's first phase totaled $80 million and was entirely funded by Connecticut. The second portion of the work is supported by a combination of $50 million in state funding and $200 million federal funding from the BIL. The third phase will be supported by the $125 million federal grant just announced, as well as additional state funding. #transportation #highway #traffic #roadway #bridges #transit #aviation #rail #jobs #newengland #engineers #engineering #design #news #projects #construction #LVIassociates 

🚆 Breaking Ground on the $2.3B Potomac Long Bridge Project! 🚧 This week marked the groundbreaking of the transformative Long Bridge project, set to tackle one of the East Coast's biggest rail bottlenecks. The new two-track railroad bridge will connect Arlington, VA, with Washington, D.C., easing traffic over the Potomac River and creating smoother travel for passengers from Boston to Miami. The current Long Bridge, owned by CSX and nearly 120 years old, has been a shared track for passenger and freight trains, often resulting in delays for passenger rail. Now, the new bridge will be exclusively for passenger trains, while freight remains on the existing structure—meaning fewer delays for both! The project, led by Skanska, Flatiron, and Herzog, spans multiple packages including additional rail and pedestrian bridges. Full construction starts in 2025, with completion expected in 2030. This isn’t just a win for Virginia; it's a major stride in rail infrastructure for the entire East Coast. Whether you're in the transportation industry or simply a frequent traveler, the benefits of this project will ripple far beyond state lines. What are your thoughts on expanding passenger rail to meet growing demand? 🚄 Drop a comment! https://lnkd.in/ezDqCJD4

Dozens of aging bridges in 16 states are set to receive a facelift thanks to $5 billion in federal grants, as announced on July 17th by President Joe Biden’s administration. The projects, part of a massive infrastructure law, span coast to coast, including the replacement of two vertical lift bridges over the Columbia River. These bridges, critical for Interstate 5 traffic between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, are being revamped to alleviate the region's "worst trucking bottleneck," according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The new bridges will not only enhance safety but also be designed to be seismically resilient and accommodate vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and transit. #Infrastructure #Bridges #FederalGrants #ATSSA #NAPA #USDOT #HighwayConstruction #RoadSafety #NHTSA

JEFFERSON CITY /07/10/2024 /MODOT -- Commission approved the FY 2025-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (#STIP), which lists transportation projects planned by state and regional planning agencies from July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2029. The five-year program is the largest to date and includes additional funding from General Revenue; passed by the Missouri General Assembly and signed by Gov. Mike Parson. #Funding is allocated for the improvement of interstates 70 and 44, the fixing of low-volume minor roads, and improvements to #bridges, #airports, and #rail crossings. The STIP makes available $14.6 billion of federal and state revenues for all modes of transportation over the next five years. Of the $14.6 billion, the STIP details $10.7 billion in road and bridge construction contractor awards, averaging approximately $2.1 billion per year. “The available state road and bridge funds along with the work of the General Assembly and Gov. Parson continue to result in historic investments in transportation infrastructure that benefit Missourians across the state,” said Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna. “We thank our regional planning partners who helped develop this plan. Delivering this high level of investment in projects is only possible because of the partnership between the MoDOT team and the private sector in design engineering and construction contractors. We are asking the public to work with us and slow down to protect the workers in work zones.” The STIP details maintenance improvements to Missouri’s 33,811 miles of roads and 10,392 bridges and culverts. The draft STIP was released in May for public review, with #MoDOT receiving 107 comments. Image Source | (©axdaohang | pixabay)

“The I-45 NHHIP is a $13 billion initiative designed to expand roadway capacity, reduce congestion, improve safety, and enhance mobility along I-45 from I-69 to Beltway 8 North. It also includes rebuilding downtown Houston’s freeway system, which covers I-45, I-69, I-10, and SH 288. A key element is rerouting I-45 to run parallel with I-69 and I-10 through downtown Houston. The first phase, Segment 3B-1, will focus on stormwater management with the installation of 12-foot box culverts to direct stormwater to detention ponds, enhancing flood resiliency. St. Emanuel Street will serve as a feeder road for this portion of I-45. This phase, expected to be completed by 2027, has a budget of $121 million. Following this, Segment 3B-2, set to begin in January 2025 and expected to be completed by 2030, will focus on constructing new mainlanes, frontage roads, and enhanced bike and pedestrian infrastructure on I-69 between SH 288 and I-45. The estimated cost for Segment 3B-2 is $695.5 million. The entire I-45 NHHIP project is expected to take 18 years to complete.” https://lnkd.in/gmuWrCRK

Virginia officials broke ground Tuesday on a project to bring a new rail bridge into Washington, D.C., a major milestone for a state that’s been trying to connect all of its regions to passenger rail, even if it means buying or building the tracks itself. The $2.3 billion project would double the number of train tracks crossing the Potomac River from two to four, alleviating a major chokepoint for freight and passenger rail traveling along the East Coast. The federal government agreed to put up $729 million toward the project, which will also include a new bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians to use. The federal money comes from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law that Congress passed in 2021. Construction is expected to be complete by 2030. “Today, freight and passenger rail that share the tracks that cross this bridge—at a time when passenger ridership is on the rise and when capacity is virtually maxed out at peak hours—are depending on a structure that is more than 100 years old,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Tuesday. Learn more about Virginia’s passenger rail project here: https://lnkd.in/eqpYjBt5

🚄Exciting developments in Texas' transportation landscape! The North Central Texas Council of Governments is exploring a comprehensive high-speed rail network with Amtrak that could reshape travel in the region. Here are the highlights: 🌐𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: The proposed system aims to offer a "one-seat ride" across major Texas cities—from Dallas to Houston, and Fort Worth to Austin and San Antonio, streamlining the commute and reducing the need for multiple transfers. 🚗𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: High-speed rail could significantly decongest road traffic, with an expected reduction of 12,500 cars from I-45 daily. By following existing transport corridors and integrating elevated and subterranean sections, the project minimizes community disruption. 💡𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: This initiative would link seamlessly with existing DART and Trinity Metro services, enhancing accessibility and creating a unified transport network. The project also includes considerations for next-gen transport solutions like automated vehicles. 🌱𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Emphasizing public-private partnerships, the plan looks forward to sustainable development and funding, ensuring that these vital infrastructure improvements are robust and long-lasting. At Technical Hires, we're super excited about these developments! They're not just massive achievements in engineering, but also open up tons of opportunities for growth in civil engineering and construction. We're keeping an eye on how this unfolds and looking forward to what it brings to Texas. Stay connected with us for more updates and check out the comments for the article! #Engineering #Infrastructure #HighSpeedRail #CivilEngineering #TexasTransport #Amtrak

The long-anticipated 540 Highway project in North Carolina has reached a significant milestone with the opening of its first phase, a critical 18-mile stretch connecting NC-55 Bypass Apex to the I-40/I-42 interchange in Garner. This infrastructure project, led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), is a game-changer for the region, promising to ease commutes, support economic growth in small towns like Fuquay Varina, and enhance overall connectivity in the Triangle area. While portions of the project are still under construction, including the eastbound half of Bells Lake Road, the westbound section will be open to drivers. The NCDOT encourages commuters to utilize the NC Quick Pass to reduce toll costs, providing an efficient solution for those traveling the expressway. The Complete 540 project is far from over. Phase two, which will extend the expressway an additional 10 miles to the I-540/I-87/U.S. 64/U.S. 264 interchange in Knightdale, is set to fill the critical "missing link" to create a fully connected loop around the Triangle. As this infrastructure evolves, it will boost commuter efficiency, drive regional economic development, and solidify the area’s role as a critical transportation hub. This project highlights the importance of long-term planning and investment in modern, scalable solutions for transportation and infrastructure leaders to meet the growing demands of rapidly expanding urban centers.

Great news... infrastructure spending approved for key bridges. Even if you are not a career Logistician, you can appreciate infrastructure improvements. These improvements will improve logistics service (time, product quality, etc.) as well as reduce logistics costs (labor time, equipment repairs) and make your personal commute easier. I don't know all of the listed projects personally, but I lived in Memphis (a while ago), and I know that the IH-55 Mississippi River bridge is rough. This is a key piece of national infrastructure. Think about how many (or, actually 'how few') bridges we have across this massive national logistics obstacle. The already crowded Mississippi River crossings would become more congested if one is lost. And, the same goes for the other projects as well. https://lnkd.in/gcMyYmin