“We are living in a time filled with unprecedented opportunity and unprecedented challenges in transportation,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said during the Dec. 29 announcement of USDOT’s new Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee. “The deep expertise and diverse perspectives of this impressive group will provide advice to ensure the future of transportation is safe, efficient, sustainable, equitable and transformative.”

USDOT Launches ‘Transportation Innovation’ Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has formed a committee to advise on “plans and approaches for transportation innovation,” which it said comprises 27 members who were selected across sectors, geographies and areas of expertise.

“Rural communities face some of the toughest transportation challenges, yet are often left out of major federal investments, a pattern that we are changing that under President Biden’s leadership,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Dec. 12. “The grants we’re announcing today will make transportation in rural communities better, safer and more reliable.”

USDOT Awards $25.5MM in Rail-Related Rural Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 12 reported funding 18 projects—two freight rail-related—as part of its FY 2023-24 Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (Rural), which is distributing a total of

From Left to Right: Canada's Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

U.S., Canada Provide Statement on Taking Action to Reduce Rail Sector Emissions

Canada’s Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm on Dec. 6 issued a joint statement, on the margins of COP28, addressing

Rendering Courtesy of CHSRA

USDOT: Nearly $3.1B for CHSRA

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 5 awarded the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) nearly $3.1 billion in grant funding for continued progress on the country’s first electrified 220-mph high-speed rail system.

“Across the country, I have seen firsthand how projects funded by our RAISE program are helping communities realize long-held dreams and well-planned visions for better infrastructure,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Nov. 30.

USDOT: 2024 RAISE Grant Applications Welcome

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Nov. 30 released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2024 RAISE program, providing $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding for freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects with “significant local or regional impact.”

USDOT Launches New Multimodal Freight Office

As part of the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Nov. 27 announced the launch of the Office of Modal Freight Infrastructure and Police (Multimodal Freight Office) to “oversee the maintenance and improvement of the nation’s freight network and supply chains.”

Pier B Railyard (Courtesy of Port of Long Beach)

USDOT: $653MM for Port Improvement Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) on Nov. 3 announced $653 million to fund 41 port improvement projects across the country under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

(White House Graphic)

FRA Awards $16.4B for NEC Projects (UPDATED)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Nov. 6 reported awarding $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Fed-State

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is planning a new station in the Treasure Coast region. On Oct. 26, it released an RFP to determine the location. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, City of Edmonton, Houston Metro, MassDOT, NYMTA

Brightline launches a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new intercity passenger rail station in Florida’s Treasure Coast region. Also, the long-awaited Valley Line Southeast LRT will open next month in Edmonton, Alberta; Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) selects Jacobs as a transit-oriented development advisor; Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) applies for U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) SMART grants for rail safety projects; and Fitch upgrades New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) credit rating and rating outlook.

One of the projects that USDOT and Kansas City, Mo., could move forward under a new partnership agreement is the bi-state east-west streetcar extension. Valued at $1.5 billion, it could link the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kans., in the east to the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City, Mo., in the west. (Screenshot of KC Streetcar video)

USDOT, Kansas City Team to Deliver Mobility, Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Oct. 24 established an Emerging Projects Agreement with Kansas City, Mo., to “explore opportunities for innovative project planning, procurement, financing and delivery” that could include using Build America Bureau-provided low-interest loans as well as technical assistance grants. Eight projects valued at more than $15 billion are being considered under the agreement; two are rail related.

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