In the wake of the Jan. 6 siege on the United States Capitol by a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has resigned. The wife of outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is the first member of the defeated President’s Cabinet to quit in the wake of the insurrection fueled by Trump’s insistence that he actually won what he calls a “stolen” 2020 election “by a landslide.” Chao’s resignation is effective Jan. 11.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is expanding eligibility and providing more flexibility for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Financing Express (RRIF Express) program.
Following Rail Safety Week, the U.S. Department of Transportation is running a $6.6 million “Stop. Trains Can’t” public awareness campaign through Nov. 8. In addition, Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) has made available online versions of its most popular highway-rail grade crossing safety materials for children.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will distribute $1 billion among 70 surface transportation infrastructure projects in 44 states through its Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. The Fiscal Year 2020 program is for planning and capital investments.
The United States Department of Transportation has released a National Freight Strategic Plan, which the agency says is the “first ever.” The NFSP, USDOT says, “lays out a vision for long-term investments in infrastructure, the workforce, and other essential parts of the freight system.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that provides up to $50 million in grants for commuter rail agencies working to improve safety at highway-rail crossings. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 26, 2020.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), issued on June 19 a final rule authorizing the bulk transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail.
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced plans to invest $906 million in America’s infrastructure through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program. The proposed funding will be awarded to 20 projects in 20 states, and of those 20 projects, four are direct rail or rail-served projects totaling $112.05 million, or 12.3% of total funds. The remaining 16 projects are all highway-related.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced approximately 15.5 million cloth facial coverings will be sent to the transportation workforce.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently announced a new pilot program, the Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Financing Express (RRIF Express), to expedite long-term, low-cost loans for short line and regional freight railroads.