SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell recently unveiled an eight-year, $1.35 billion transportation levy proposal draft for public input. The proposal recommends more funding to repair bridges, repave streets, connect neighborhoods to light rail, build sidewalks, and make getting around Seattle safer. The Mayor will share his final proposal …

SEATTLE, WA — Skanska, a global construction and development firm, announces it has signed a contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation to replace the Portage Bay Bridge and create a lidded segment in the city of Seattle’s North Capitol Hill neighborhood.

The $1.4 billion design-build project will …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) announces the 2022-2025 Community Transportation Program (CTP) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) awards.

“The CTP and TAP programs enhance transportation infrastructure, promote safety, and improve connectivity across Alaska,” DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson said.

The CTP focuses on the …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration issued an approval of the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) four-year spending plan. FHWA identified six out of the 234 projects and programs submitted, to be addressed in subsequent amendments.

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program …

PORTLAND, OR — The U.S. Department of Transportation announces that the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project is the recipient of its Reconnecting Neighborhoods and Communities Grant in the amount of $450 million.

“We are grateful for the support of the Biden Administration. Receiving the …

Focused on increasing capacity and enhancing safety, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has launched a project to expand U.S. 95 to four lanes from Thorn Creek Road to Moscow.

“It will improve safety, and it also will be a faster route for the public and improve efficiency,” said Howard Cooley …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $9.9 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to four airports in Alaska. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will make this announcement as part of the administration’s Investing in America tour. Last summer, Buttigieg was in Alaska …

BOISE, ID — Michael Johnson has been appointed as the Idaho Transportation Department's (ITD) new Division Administrator of Engineering Services by Director Scott Stokes. Johnson has been part of the ITD management team as an Engineering Manager for the bridge delivery program since 2018. As Division Administrator, Johnson …

HELENA, MT — Governor Greg Gianforte announces Mack Long, who led the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), has retired. MDT Deputy Director Larry Flynn will serve as MDT's Interim Director. "I'm grateful to Mack for his leadership at MDT and his service to the people of Montana," Gianforte said. …

NOME, AK — Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District and City of Nome conducted a signing ceremony in Nome for an agreement between the two stakeholders that advances the construction of the Port of Nome Modification Project. Officially known as a "project partnership agreement," the …

Nestled midway between Eugene and Salem, Oregon, is the town of Halsey, where Route 99E runs through the Willamette Valley. The small town and route are slightly west of I-5 (parallels 99E). To update the portion of 99E going through Halsey, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is currently working …

SEATTLE, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a $64.2 million construction grant award to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to support a bus rapid transit line that will provide service between downtown Seattle, the University of Washington (UW), and other destinations in …

POCATELLO, ID — The historic rebuild of the System Interchange in Pocatello is nearing the halfway point, and motorists will continue to see progress in the coming year. Major milestones for the upcoming season include building five new bridges and demolishing one bridge. Bridges will be constructed to carry southbound …

SALEM, OR — Oregon is ranked fourth in the nation for transportation policies and funding that improve equity, public health, and climate change outcomes, according to a report published by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report assessed states on several metrics to create a final scorecard ranking out of …

FAIRBANKS, AK — State of Alaska facilities will be led by Daniel “Danny” Gibson, who recently accepted the position of Director, Division of Facility Services (DFS) for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). Gibson most recently served as DFS Division Operations Manager. Gibson attended the University …

To ensure the state’s critical infrastructure remains in good condition, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is nearing completion of the Richardson Highway MP 40-51 Resurfacing project.

Running 366 miles from Valdez to Fairbanks, Richardson Highway was Alaska’s first major long-distance road and is still regularly used …

Interstate 90 traverses the entire United States. The 3,000-plus mile road runs between Seattle and Boston. The Snoqualmie Pass, which is a little over 50 miles from Seattle via I-90 and situated by the Keechelus Lake, is a mountain pass through which I-90 goes through the Cascade Range. The Washington …

KENAI, AK — Witnessed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Michael Connor, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy, the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Alaska District endorsed an agreement that advances construction of the Kenai Bluffs Bank Stabilization Project during a ceremony …

Idaho’s Treasure Valley is in the western area of the state. It includes four of the state’s six largest cities, including the capital, Boise. Approximately 40 percent of the state population lives in the Treasure Valley, and three of its cities were among the 15 fastest growing in the U.S. …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Sean Holland, P.E. has accepted the Central Region position at the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). Holland steps into his new role November 7, replacing Acting Director and Deputy Commissioner John Binder.

As the Central Region Director, Holland will be responsible for leading …

FAIRBANKS, AK — Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is taking immediate steps to enhance highway safety along the Alaska, Steese, and Richardson Highways in preparation for the planned Tetlin to Ft. Knox ore haul, scheduled to start in January 2024.

Safety improvements include short and long-term actions …

ANCHORAGE, AK — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg recently traveled to Alaska on a three-day infrastructure investment tour where he learned about the state’s unique transportation needs, including in its rural and Tribal areas, where airports, ports, roads, ferries, and more play a critical role in the movement of …

UTQIAGVIK, AK — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District conducted a ceremonial signing event recognizing the official agreement between stakeholders for the planned construction of the Barrow Coastal Erosion Project near Utqiagvik. Sen. Dan Sullivan and North Slope Borough representatives attended the event and provided remarks at …

SEATTLE, WA — Skanska, a global construction and development firm, announces it has signed a contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to expand and make operational improvements to 4.5 miles of the I-405 corridor in Bothell, Washington.

The purpose of the I-405, Brickyard to SR 527 …

ANCHORAGE, AK — James Sauceda assumes duties as the Chief of the Engineering, Construction, and Operations Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District.

In his new position, Sauceda leads a team of more than 200 personnel responsible for the execution of engineering, construction, and operations …

SEATTLE , WA — Washington State Ferries (WSF) recently opened its new Colman Dock entry building and elevated walkway, connecting walk-on passengers to the ferry from Alaskan Way. Throughout six years of construction on the $489 million Colman Dock Project, WSF has maintained ferry service on two of its busiest …

The West Seattle Bridge is one of the most-used pieces of infrastructure in the entire State of Washington. It connects a large portion of Seattle’s population to the downtown area, serving as the connector of bedroom communities to business centers.

The concrete segmental bridge’s future became in doubt in early …

BOTHELL, WA — The Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit recently awarded a design-build contract for a multiyear project along a segment of Interstate 405 that will extend the dual express toll lane (ETL) system and improve the flow of traffic on the Eastside.

Design-build contracts combine a …

FORT WAINWRIGHT, AK — Aleut Building Company, LLC (Aleut), a U.S. Small Business Administration certified 8(a) program participant and Small Disadvantaged Business, announces that it has been awarded a Single Award Task Order Contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville to serve U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (USAG-Alaska). This …

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announces $8.8 million in grants for 10 projects in eight states and the District of Columbia to encourage the use of tools that can improve safety on bridges and in work zones. The grants, which can …

A Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) project won a regional award in the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition, created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state departments of transportation (DOTs) for making a difference …

The Port of Tacoma, which is just south of Seattle and part of Pierce County, is a major economic driver for the region, state, and country. A 2019 study found that the port supported over 42,000 jobs, generated almost $3 billion in labor income, and produced over $100 million in …

BOISE, ID — The US-95 Granite North project recently won a National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in their 2023 Engineering Excellence Awards. The award recognized both design and construction achievements.

The award was presented to Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Project Manager Steven Bakker in …

KING COUNTY, WA — The Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) announces the winners of the Perpetual Pavement Awards (PPAs), which celebrate long-life asphalt pavements. For 2022, 11 PPAs: By Performance were earned. Engineers at the National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University evaluated the nominations and validated the results.

Since …

The Columbia River Highway, located in Oregon, is a 75-mile highway that offers views of the Columbia River and Gorge. The gorge, which is 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, is 30 miles east of Portland. According to Travel Portland, it “… offers amazing views, hiking, mountain …

JEROME, ID — As part of Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho Transportation initiative, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has begun a project to widen I-84 between the South Jerome Interchange (Exit 168) and the Twin Falls Interchange (Exit 173). Construction recently began on this 2.5-year project.

I-84 serves as a …

OSBURN, ID — Construction has begun on a project to rebuild nearly eight miles of I-90 from the Big Creek Exit to the West Wallace Exit. The project includes replacing concrete sections, most of which dates back to the 1970s when I-90 was first built.

“The concrete is old and …

The Interstate 405/NE 132nd Street interchange project aims to improve motorists’ ability to access the highway in the Kirkland urban center.

“It will provide travelers with better access to jobs and recreation,” says Marisa Chong, Project Engineer with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

The interchange project is …

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently revealed plans to allocate nearly $300 million for nine small- and medium-sized bridge projects in both urban and rural areas. The grants, awarded in eight states and the District of Columbia, are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Alaskans will see over 140 transportation improvement projects this summer, upgrading trails, airports, docks, roads and highways, sidewalks, and bike lanes in 64 communities. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is also unveiling several new public information tools that travelers can use to learn more …

PORT ANGELES, WA — The Elwha River will soon have a new bridge spanning its banks. Work recently began on a brand new bridge, which will carry US 101 across the river and keep communities connected. The new replacement bridge will be built near the existing 97-year-old span and — …

SEATTLE, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announces that its Build America Bureau has provided low-interest loans totaling $327 million to the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) for improvements to the transit system. By providing Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Sara Longan assumes duties as the chief of the Regulatory Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District.

In her new position, she is responsible for administering and enforcing the USACE regional regulatory program within the Alaska and Honolulu District’s areas of responsibilities. …

Quickly delivering quality transportation projects to enhance the lives of Idaho residents and to facilitate the efficient movement of freight, remains a top priority for Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Director Scott Stokes.

“We’ve coined the term ‘invest with purpose’,” Stokes says. “We are oriented to make the citizens and …

JUNEAU, AK — Christopher Goins, P.E., C.M. has accepted the Southcoast Regional Director position for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF).

“Mr. Goins will do a great job leading our transportation programs in Southeast and Southwest Alaska,” said Commissioner Ryan Anderson. “He has a proven record …

LEWISTON, ID — Knife River Corporation recently received the bid for a project that will construct an interchange on U.S. Highway 95/U.S. Highway 12 at the east entrance to Aht’Wy Plaza for $24.77 million.

With a contractor now on board, work is expected to take less than two years. The …

WEST LINN, OR — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Portland District (Corps) has awarded a construction contract for completing safety and seismic repairs at Willamette Falls Locks before the agency’s official transfer of the historic navigation lock system to the Willamette Falls Locks Authority, expected to take place …

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is replacing the Division and Elizabeth Park overpasses on Interstate 90 in the northern part of the state, near Kellogg, to improve safety.

“The aging bridges were past their service life and were scheduled for replacement,” says Joey Sprague, Project Manager for ITD. “We …

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau has a new funding and resource program designed to help communities launch large projects. It is called Thriving Communities, and it was created by passage of the Appropriations Act. The program will provide an abundance of funding, assistance, and other resources …

FAIRBANKS, AK — Interior Alaskans will start to see significant improvements along the Alaska, Richardson, and Steese Highways with the replacement of four additional bridges under the Governor’s Amended FY24 Capital Budget.

“We have bridge infrastructure on our National Highway System routes in the interior that date back to the …

KOTZEBUE, AK — Residents of the Northwest Arctic Borough have a new partnership with Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) supporting the development of transportation projects in their region. In a signing ceremony, DOT&PF’s Judy Chapman, Deputy Director of Planning, and the Northwest Arctic Borough Mayor Dickie …

SALEM, OR — Leah Horner, who has worked in several high-profile transportation roles and has a long track record of public service, will join the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) as the next Assistant Director of Operations.

“Leah brings an incredible breadth of experience,” said ODOT Director Kris Strickler …

Aiming to improve safety and eliminate long-standing bottlenecks on Oregon 217 between Beaverton and Tigard, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has embarked on a $158 million improvement project.

“We are creating auxiliary lanes to ease congestion on OR 217,” says David Finnigan, Project Manager with Kerr Contractors Oregon …

WOLF CREEK, MT — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Riverside Contracting will begin a project to rehabilitate approximately seven miles of Interstate 15 (I-15) near Wolf Creek. The project area begins approximately five miles south of Wolf Creek and extends north to the Augusta Interchange (Exit 228). This …

SEATTLE, WA — The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recently selected The Walsh Group and Stantec design-build team to help the state remove barriers to fish migration at six locations in western Washington. The projects in Mason and Thurston counties will integrate science and engineering to maximize the potential for …

Progress is taking place toward finishing the $2.38 billion Puget Sound Gateway Program in Washington with the SR 509 Completion Project, as the state adds a new four-lane expressway and more improvements.

“We have marine ports on the north and south sides at Seattle and Tacoma, and this will benefit …

JUNEAU, AK — Katherine Keith was named Deputy Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), replacing Rob Carpenter, who left in December.

Keith will oversee a wide variety of multimodal transportation programs focusing on safety, economic vitality, resiliency, and sustainability. She will lead the department’s …

Seven decades after the Mitchell Point Tunnel closed to traffic, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has undertaken a $25.4 million project to open the iconic tunnel again to pedestrians, bicycles and those driving vehicles for special events.

“When the tunnel opens in 2024, it will have been the first …

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Multidisciplinary design firm Cushing Terrell and Mentor-Protégé Joint Venture partner Hollingsworth Pack have been awarded an IDIQ (indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity) contract for architecture and engineering (A/E) services with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in support of projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). …

Improvements to a primary north-south corridor in Fairbanks, Alaska, University Avenue, aims to reduce congestion, improve access for pedestrians and bicyclists, and increase safety and mobility.

“Over the years, the four-lane, undivided facility had become congested with heavy turning traffic competing with through traffic,” says Northern Region Group Chief Lauren …

JUNEAU, AK — Skagway will have the state as a partner in its pursuit to develop new marine facilities for both the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) and commercial and private marine businesses. The partnership was outlined in an agreement signed by the Municipality of Skagway (MOS) and the Alaska …

POCATELLO, ID — The Idaho Transportation Department’s rebuild of the System Interchange at I-86 and I-15 in Pocatello is in full swing with crews working multiple areas throughout the worksite. As part of Governor Little’s Leading Idaho initiative, the project is changing how the heart of the Interstate in …

Progress is happening on the latest segment of the 10.5-mile-long North Spokane Corridor (NSC), including construction of a new interchange with roundabouts.

“This project is for safety and will get a lot of the freight traffic off the local streets of Spokane,” says Project Engineer Jody Qualley, with the …

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Active Transportation Plan – 2020 and Beyond was voted the People’s Choice Award winner in the 2022 America’s Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Active …

JUNEAU, AK — Over $87 million was pumped into Alaska’s economy when Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) received redistribution funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

Redistribution is a mechanism to redistribute funding authority to states that demonstrated they have met 100 percent of their federal allocation …

SEATTLE, WA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awards $67 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to Washington and $26 million to Montana for water infrastructure improvements.

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocates more than $50 billion to EPA toward repairing the nation’s essential water infrastructure, which helps …

SNOQUALMIE, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee joined other state and local representatives to turn the first shovels of dirt, breaking ground on the Interstate 90/State Route 18 Interchange Improvements and Widening project. This interchange is one of the busiest in Washington.

To keep traffic flowing and improve safety for freight …

TACOMA, WA — Guy F. Atkinson Construction crews recently opened the long-awaited new northbound I-5 HOV lane in Tacoma and the southbound I-5 HOV lanes in Pierce County.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announces that it has released $59.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2023 apportionments for 12 formula programs to support investment in critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and tunnels, carbon emission reduction, and safety improvements utilizing funding from President …

The Oregon Department of Transportation’s $17 million in improvements to Oregon 212 from Interstate 205 to U.S. 26 through Damascus and Boring provided a new fish-friendly bridge as well as paving, road repairs and sidewalk upgrades.

“This was an operations project,” says Jamie Miller, Project Manager and Resident …

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded $1.5 billion in Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grants to highway, multimodal freight, and rail projects across the country. In the Pacific Builder & Engineer area, a $25-million INFRA grant was awarded to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for the Salmon …

Oregon’s largest interstate investment in nearly 45 years, the I-205 Abernethy Bridge Project, is breaking down barriers by providing workforce development opportunities to individuals from economically distressed zip codes. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) project is the first in the United States to participate in a four-year Federal Highway …

Many infrastructure projects are in reaction to an issue such as excessive traffic or safety concerns. Some infrastructure projects take place in anticipation of the future. The I-205 Improvements Project – a few miles south of Portland, Oregon – is both in reaction to and in anticipation of actual events …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The long-awaited spending plan modifications outlining new federal funding for Alaska transportation are now available for public review. Projects that improve transportation safety, fix existing infrastructure, support economic vitality, and provide resiliency, sustainability, and mobility are included in the spending plan.

“Alaskans from Kotzebue to Ketchikan will …

BEND, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will begin work this fall on the long-awaited Bend North Corridor project. This project aims to improve safety, mobility, and accessibility while relieving congestion on the north end of town from Empire Avenue to just beyond Cooley Road on both U.S. …

COLUMBIA FALLS, MT — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announces that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $41 million to support four projects in Montana from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program to help move forward on projects that modernize roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, and …

FAIRBANKS, AK — Governor Mike Dunleavy announces that funding will be secured to complete the road to Cape Blossom. The additional funding will expedite the completion of the road, which will link Kotzebue to a viable arctic port at Cape Blossom.

“Kotzebue is the shipping hub for the entire Northwest …

PORTLAND, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), alongside community leaders and residents, hosted a groundbreaking celebration to share details of the I-205 Improvements Project and how it will benefit the region and Oregon’s economy. The project is kicking off with seismic upgrades to the Abernethy Bridge that spans …

POST FALLS, ID — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is beginning work to replace and upgrade the interchange at Interstate 90 and State Highway 41 in Post Falls. Construction will be underway until the summer of 2025. Over the next four seasons work will generally shift from I-90 to SH-41 …

PUYALLUP, WA — Washington State Governor Jay Inslee recently visited the City of Montesano’s Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of a tour of clean energy and habitat restoration projects in Grays Harbor County, Washington. The visit included presentations by Montesano Mayor Vini Samuel and representatives from the Chehalis River Basin …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Travelers living and working along the Knik Goose Bay (KGB) Road will see safety and capacity improvements start later this summer. The long-awaited reconstruction project was awarded by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to Granite Construction for $54.5 million.

“Rebuilding KGB Road has …

POCATELLO, ID — Preliminary work on the Idaho Transportation Department’s (ITD) project to rebuild the I-86/I-15 System Interchange has begun. Originally built 60 years ago, the design needs to be updated to handle greater traffic volumes and to replace aging bridges that are reaching the end of their life. …

POCATELLO, ID — Sundt Construction recently hired Ryan Pittson and Blake Kiener in its Transportation Group. Both will be working on the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Interstate 86 and Interstate 15 System Interchange project.

“We are excited to welcome Ryan and Blake to our team,” said Thiago Bezerra, Sundt’s …

PORTLAND, OR — The Portland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to re-engage as a partner in the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. An intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) moves the project forward and outlines the terms of the city staff’s planning and engineering involvement.

This …

To meet growing traffic needs, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is expanding and upgrading the State Highway 41 Corridor from Post Falls to Rathdrum to increase capacity and improve safety.

“There is a lot of new development in the area,” says Randy Durland, Project Manager for the south section …

Five state department of transportation projects in Washington, Idaho, and Alaska won regional awards in the 2022 America’s Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state DOTs for making a difference in …

The largest federal climate investment in U.S. history was made on August 16, after President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. The act aims to fight climate change and address record inflation.

The IRA includes policies that will invest in U.S. energy production, reduce carbon emissions, …

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) recently cut the ribbon on the Lower Yellowstone Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage Project, completing construction on the $44-million, 2.1-mile-long channel. The intake diversion dam supplies irrigation water to the area, providing a natural source to the …

When the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed back in November 2021, it expanded Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) coverage to include certain construction materials used on federal-aid highway and transit projects. This was intended to strengthen Made in America requirements by ensuring projects use American-made iron, …

POCATELLO, ID — The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has accepted a $111.9-million winning bid by Sundt-Cannon, a joint venture, to rebuild the I-86/I-15 system interchange at Pocatello. Work is scheduled to begin mid-July and will continue for approximately three years as the interchange undergoes modernization.

The old …

BEND, OR — A new roundabout in Sisters will help traffic flow smoother; a roundabout as part of U.S 97 realignment north of Bend will do the same. These two projects have been selected to receive a total of $20 million from the "Enhance" portion of the 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation …

BOISE, ID — A project on U.S. Highway 95 in North Idaho was recently named the western regional winner of the America’s Transportation Awards. Sponsored by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the America's Transportation Awards competition was created to …

BOISE, ID — Longtime Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) financial Controller Dave Tolman will become the department’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), replacing retiring CAO Char McArthur. Tolman has worked in state government for 32 years, including the last 20 years with ITD as Controller. He will oversee the department’s …

FAIRBANKS, AK — Residents of Kivalina, Alaska, have a new evacuation route in case they need to leave their island home during a winter storm, and it recently became a nationally award-winning evacuation route. The Kivalina Evacuation Route and School Access Site project, completed in 2021, was recognized by the …

IDAHO FALLS, ID — The I-15/US-20 Connector PEL project has been selected as a recipient of a Federal Highway Administration 2022 Environmental Excellence Award. The FHWA’s EEAs recognize outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship and partnerships above and beyond traditional transportation project outcomes.

The Planning and Environment Linkages study was an …

WOODBURN, OR — Governor Kate Brown helped the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) celebrate completion of the Phase 1 upgrades to the West Coast Electric Highway in Oregon with a news conference at an electric vehicle charging station near Interstate 5.

The governor was joined at the Woodburn Transit Facility …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Transportation Commission has directed flexible dollars from the federal infrastructure bill enacted last year to be spent in ways that will make Oregon’s roads, streets, and walkways safer and easier to use.

The 2021 federal infrastructure package allocated $1.2 billion in additional transportation funding for …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Armed with toothpicks and marshmallows, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District conducted outreach events at four Anchorage schools to mark National Engineers Week. The annual observance is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and …

SEATTLE, WA — King County’s Sunset and Heathfield Pump Stations and Force Main Upgrade project was recently named an Envision Silver Award winner. The award, presented by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, highlights projects that encourage sustainable, equitable, and resilient design, construction, operations, and maintenance processes and practices.

Global …

SALEM, OR — With Oregon's coastal access, mountain ranges, and high desert canyons and ravines, comes the need for many large bridges, tailored to the area they serve. With the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is evaluating possible projects which qualify …

BOISE – The Idaho Transportation Board voted to accelerate the improvement of several major roadways during its regular monthly meeting in Boise. The projects selected for construction starting this summer will modernize aging infrastructure, improve safety, and reduce congestion:

• I-86/I-15 System Interchange in Pocatello/Chubbuck
• I-90 and State Highway 41 (SH-41) …

PORTLAND, OR — Army Engineers and planners will receive $146 million for various infrastructure projects at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) sites around Oregon. This funding came from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Projects receiving funding include:

• Columbia River Fish …

WASHINGTON, DC — Despite the increase in transportation funding provided by the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in November 2021, the nation’s roads, bridges, and transit systems remain significantly underfunded and will require increased investment for needed improvements and repairs. Fees on highway users continue …

JUNEAU, AK — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District received authorization and funding for an array of critical construction projects and activities that will contribute to the development of the state’s water resources and help boost the economy. Following the recent enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and …

BELLEVUE, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation announces that its Build America Bureau has refinanced a $99.6-million TIFIA loan for the City of Bellevue’s BelRed Street Network Project. The bureau provides Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans and other surface transportation infrastructure financing to reduce the costs …

BOISE, ID — The Idaho Transportation Board recently approved a plan to issue bonds as a part of Governor Brad Little’s $1.6-billion “Leading Idaho” initiative that passed in House Bill 362 in 2021. The initiative focuses on major safety and expansion projects across the state in the next eight years. …

SALEM, OR — Safety is vital to every transportation program and project — and a key part of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Strategic Action Plan. Much of the estimated $1.2 billion in additional transportation funding on its way to Oregon from the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment …

TACOMA, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary announces the award of more than $241 million in discretionary grant funding for 25 projects to improve port facilities in 19 states and one territory through the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).

These grants demonstrate rapid action on …

FAIRBANKS, AK — Sarah Schacher, P.E., was presented with the Dr. L.I. Hewes Award at the annual meeting of the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The Hewes Award is presented to one individual each year, selected from nominations of the 18 member states, for outstanding …

SEATTLE, WA — King County Metro Transit recently selected the Walsh-Stantec design-build team to help the county with their first large scale project to transition to a zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleet. As part of Metro’s goal for a 100 percent ZEB fleet by 2035, The Walsh Group and …

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announces that the Biden Administration will invest nearly $1 billion in American infrastructure through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grants program. The funding has been awarded to 90 projects in 47 states and the District of …

Safety improvements, better traffic flow, and improved economic opportunities are a recipe for a successful construction project. The Barker Road/BNSF Grade Separation Project, which is taking place in Spokane Valley, Washington, offers each of these benefits.

Spokane Valley is in northeastern Washington, just a few miles from the Idaho border. …

SEATTLE, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation announces it has provided a package of Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans of up to $3.84 billion for the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) for the financing of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension and refinancing of …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Governor Mike Dunleavy names Ryan Anderson as the new Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Anderson most recently served as Northern Region Director for the department. He replaces John MacKinnon, who served as Commissioner since December 2018.

“Commissioner Anderson built an …

PORTLAND, OR — The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) recently advanced the highway cover option for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project known as the Hybrid 3 option, with conditions. The decision by the OTC advances the project that was part of House Bill 2017, passed in 2017, a major transportation …

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) $705 million I-405 Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project aims to relieve congestion, increase trip reliability and improve safety on one of the busiest corridors in the state. More than 200,000 vehicles drive on the corridor daily.

“The purpose …

FIFE, WA — A bridge over Interstate 5 recently made its debut in Fife, opening to traffic with a promise to improve travel in the busy freight corridor. The four-lane Wapato Way East Bridge and new State Route 99 roundabout replace the nearby 70th Avenue East Bridge, which is now …

SEATTLE, WA — U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg announces that the Biden-Harris Administration intends to award $905.25 million to 24 projects in 18 states under the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program. These grants advance the administration’s priorities of rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating jobs …

SEATTLE, WA — Sound Transit recently completed construction of its new Operations and Maintenance Facility: East (OMF East), which will service, maintain, store, and deploy Link light rail vehicles for its growing fleet in the Puget Sound area. As Sound Transit’s light rail service area grows through 2024, the vehicle …

Most infrastructure projects are standard – build a new road or bridge, add lanes to an existing roadway, repair a road or bridge, etc. Such projects are important and can be a boon to an area while allowing traffic to flow smoothly. A project taking place in Oregon – the …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Transportation Commission recently approved funding for more than $233 million in projects from several different programs — all aimed at supporting multimodal transportation options across the state. All the programs are housed in the Oregon Department of Transportation's Public Transportation Division.

“These awards represent …

SEATTLE, WA — People who use transit between South Lake Union and the Eastside can look forward to a dedicated lane connecting State Route 520 and the Interstate 5 express lanes in a few years. The Washington State Department of Transportation announces that Walsh Construction submitted the lowest bid for …

COEUR D’ALENE, ID — The first of two bridges over the railroad on Idaho Highway 41 north of Hayden Avenue has opened. Work on the overpass began in June of 2020 and completing this structure is a major milestone in the effort to expand the highway to four lanes between …

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is in the midst of a six-phase, multi-road construction project dubbed the Billings Bypass. Currently, MDT is working on phase two – the construction of the Yellowstone River Bridge.

The new arterial roadway will connect the city of Lockwood to the Highway 312/Highway 87 …

SALEM, OR — Amanda Pietz, who currently leads the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Climate Office, will be the new Policy, Data, & Analysis Division Administrator, an area focused on shaping the future of transportation.

“The Policy, Data, & Analysis Division is known for its innovation, so Amanda …

BOISE, ID — Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1121 into law, the fourth of his “Building Idaho’s Future” bills that make strategic investments in critical state priorities. Senate Bill 1121 directs $50 million to projects that promote clean, plentiful supplies of water for generations to come.

“Water is truly …

SEATTLE, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces federal funding will be allocated to two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure projects in Washington state. Funding is provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Small Starts Program.

“Millions of Americans rely on public transit to …

ANCHORAGE, AK — Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) Central Region is expecting a busy construction year, awarding up to $420 million dollars’ worth of construction contracts, including airport, trail, and highway improvements. Highway projects expected to go to construction in 2021 include projects in Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Transportation Commission approves spending $124 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding provided by Congress at the end of 2020 for Oregon roads. The federal money can be used for both construction projects and operations and maintenance activities, such as plowing snow, patching potholes, and carrying …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) have finished distributing more than $2.1 billion across different programs in the 2024-2027 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

The OTC recently approved $255 million in non-highway funding for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit programs — a …

The Columbia River Gorge along Oregon’s border with Washington is a renowned scenic area that draws hikers, bikers, campers, and tourists from around the world. The small town of Troutdale that sits along the Sandy River at the easternmost edge of the Portland area marks the western edge of the …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). The former two-term South Bend, Indiana, mayor (2012 to January 2020) was a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination earlier this year. He withdrew from the race and endorsed Biden …

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and a nonprofit organization dedicated to habitat restoration teamed up to remove a fish barrier created about 80 years ago, allowing salmon to freely swim between Oak Bay and southern Kilisut Harbor under State Route 116 on Marrowstone Island.

“This fish barrier correction …

OLYMPIA, WA — Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar announces the appointments of several key positions in his agency’s executive leadership team. The upcoming retirement of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) second in command, Deputy Secretary Keith Metcalf, set these changes in motion, which include new appointments …

SALEM, OR — Students all across Oregon will soon have safer ways to get to and from school, with the approval of $28.3 million in Safe Routes to School investments. Projects range from adding sidewalks around two elementary schools in Ontario to improving an intersection near Eastwood Elementary in Hillsboro, …

The Interstate 105 Bridge Preservation Project, recently completed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), has rehabilitated several I-105 bridges and associated ramps between the Delta Highway Exchange and downtown Eugene, bringing the structures up to current standards. The bridges, built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, were in …

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) passed an important milestone with the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) moving the Madison Bus Rapid Transit (Madison BRT) project, also known as the RapidRide G Line, forward in the Small Starts Grant review process. A draft report released by the FTA …

PORTLAND, OR — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announces the immediate availability of $5 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds to help the Oregon Department of Transportation repair infrastructure damage caused by wildfires.

“We hope this federal support will help Oregon communities …

BOISE, ID — Normally, bridges moving is not something an engineer wants to see, but construction crews recently slid the first of two new bridges at the Interstate 84 Blacks Creek Interchange 60 feet into place — where it will stay for decades to come.

The slide-in-place maneuver was designed …

SALEM, OR — A little extra space can make all the difference for businesses and their customers these days.

Beth Forshay, Owner of Twisted Cork in Grants Pass, added two outdoor tables on a sidewalk expansion under an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) program helping businesses repurpose public spaces on …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announces that the Trump Administration will award more than $273 million in airport safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to 41 states and the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall …

During the past decade, Idaho has experienced rapid growth, so the state’s Transportation Department has embarked on a $300 million upgrade to Interstate 84, the most traveled highway in the state, with 31 million annual trips.

“This section of I-84 has seen a significant increase in traffic and crashes in …

PORTLAND, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announce the appointment of Greg Johnson as the Program Administrator to lead the bi-state Interstate Bridge Replacement Program office. In this role, Johnson will jointly represent both ODOT and WSDOT to lead program development …

Wallowa Lake State Park, located in Northeast Oregon, is a popular tourist destination. The area is at a high elevation (approximately 5,000 feet) and is home to mountains as high as 9,000 feet. Many tourists, as well as locals, use the Wallowa Lake Highway to get to the picturesque area. …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is clearing the new alignment for the Sterling Highway MP 45-60 reconstruction project, informally known as the Cooper Landing Bypass Project.

The Sterling Highway was constructed as a gravel road in the 1940s and 1950s. The section through …

SEATTLE, WA — Michael Baker International joins the team that will complete the widening and express toll lane project between Renton and Bellevue, Washington, for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The project will utilize innovative design-build project delivery and includes constructing one new lane in each direction of …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a new leader for the newly-formed Public Transportation Division. Karyn Criswell recently stepped into the role of Division Administrator.

"We are excited to tap into Karyn’s experience bringing diverse interests together to forge partnerships that improve the public and active …

SEATAC, WA — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a $790-million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) for the Federal Way Link Extension Project in King County, Washington, through FTA’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program. …

CHEYENNE, WY — The Wyoming Department of Transportation will make improvements to 12 miles of WYO 12 northwest of Laramie in Albany County.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a $3-million contract to Simon Contractors for the pavement work. The commission awarded that and six other projects totaling $13.5 million at …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is developing a new focus on comprehensive solutions to congestion, access and mobility issues, which affect quality of life and economic health far beyond the Portland metro area. This new focus responds to public and stakeholder feedback and aligns with the …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) announces the 2019-2020 board at NASAO’s 88th Annual Convention & Trade Show in St. Paul, Minnesota. The NASAO board, comprised of state aviation directors will be led by Chair John Binder, A.A.E., Alaska Department of Transportation & Public …

SALEM, OR — A new month signals a new era for the Oregon Transportation Commission and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The commission, which oversees the state’s transportation system and ODOT, has a new Chair.

Robert Van Brocklin, a lawyer with Oregon’s largest law firm, Stoel Rives LLP, …

SALEM, OR — Expanded hours of service, new low- and no-emission buses, new shelters, more routes: these improvements and more — totaling $62 million — were recently approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission. This is the second round of applications for the new Oregon Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund, or …

TACOMA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee joined state and local officials at the Port of Tacoma recently to help The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) kickoff the construction phase on the Puget Sound Gateway Program.

The Gateway Program includes two projects — State Route 167 completion in Pierce County and …

BELLEVUE, WA — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announces the award of a design-build contract to start construction on the I-405, Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project. The contractor Flatiron West, Inc.-The Lane Construction Corporation Joint Venture (Flatiron/Lane) submitted the apparent best value …

SALEM, OR — The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) recently offered the position of Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director to Kris Strickler, who is currently Oregon’s Highway Division Administrator.

If Strickler accepts the OTC’s offer and is confirmed by the Oregon Senate, he will become ODOT’s 12th Director. The commission …

ANCHORAGE, AK — The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) unveiled an updated design concept for the Knik-Goose Bay (KGB) Road Reconstruction Project: Centaur Avenue to Vine Road. The design refinement was based on input from the public and stakeholders to address issues, challenges, safety and future needs. …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation'sFederal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) grants valued at $53.2 million to 10 projects to fund advanced technologies that will improve mobility and safety for drivers and enhance the performance of the nation’s highway …

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announces more than $705.7 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds to help 34 states, as well as American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, make repairs to roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods and …