State DOTs receive bridge project grants from FHWA
July 25th, 2024
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently issued $5 billion in grants from its Bridge Investment Program – a program created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to fund the reconstruction, repair, and restoration of 13 “nationally significant” bridges in 16 states. Photo courtesy of the Oregon DOT. The agency said in a statement that those […]
Maine DOT updates statewide three-year work plan
February 2nd, 2024
The Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) recently released the 2024 edition of its three-year “Work Plan,” which details all of the agency’s capital projects and programs, maintenance and operations activities, planning initiatives, plus administrative functions for calendar years 2024, 2025, and 2026. Photo courtesy of Maine DOT. Maine DOT said its Work Plan is […]
How geosynthetics help achieve CRISI objectives
February 1st, 2024
The U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, has allocated more than $1.4 billion to upgrade and safeguard rail infrastructure across 35 states and the District of Columbia. This initiative, enriched by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), focuses on ensuring more resilient, efficient and safe rail […]
Fall Lobby Days 2023
February 1st, 2024
GMA’s Fall 2023 Lobby Days coincided with the end (November 17) of the first 2023 continuing resolution (CR) that was passed in September ’23 to prevent a shutdown of the U.S. federal government. We were anticipating an exciting week in Washington, D.C., but as we gathered for our preparation meeting the evening before our day […]
FHWA seeks bridge project and planning grant applications
January 17th, 2024
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently issued a notice of funding opportunity or NOFO for up to $9.6 billion in fiscal year 2023 through FY 2026 Bridge Project grants and $80 million in FY 2023 through FY 2026 Bridge Planning Project grants. Those two measures are funded by the FHWA’s Bridge Investment Program, which is a discretionary […]
USDOT modal leaders discuss IIJA issues at hearing
December 27th, 2023
Leadership from U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) including heads of its highway and transit operating administrations shared their insights on the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) recently during a House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing. The leaders testifying at the hearing – held by the House T&I Subcommittee on […]
Interpreting and monitoring the final Buy America guidelines
October 1st, 2023
As I sat down to write this article, the final rule for the Guidance for Grants and Agreements from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had been posted on the Federal Register (FR) with a 60-day notice to take effect October 23, 2023. (whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/REV_2-CFR-Guidance-Pre-publication-version-8.13.pdf) The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) has been constantly monitoring […]
GMA moves forward
April 1st, 2023
Over the past decade the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) has grown by leaps and bounds, establishing itself as a leading geosynthetics organization in the areas of education, technical support and government relations. GMA’s membership has nearly doubled since 2005; GMA-supported educational conferences have attracted more than 25,000 attendees; and GMA’s lobbying efforts have reached 24 […]