The August 2024 Transportation Market Recap is a recap of some of the most interesting and useful transit industry news from the previous month. It contains updates on industry drivers, notable projects, as well as some interesting reads.
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Industry Drivers
Our data team tracks new and updated industry drivers. Here are some recent drivers we have been following this month:
Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities; Adoption of Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way
Status: Effective
Organization: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Summary: On August 22, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed a new rule that would mandate that sidewalks, crosswalks, and transit facilities must meet specific accessibility standards to accommodate people with disabilities. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance mobility and safety for all pedestrians. It includes requirements for more accessible design and maintenance practices to ensure that infrastructure is usable for everyone, including those with mobility impairments.
Click Here for More Information
Notable Capital Improvement Programs
Here are some recent, notable Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs). FirmoGraphs has deconstructed the CIPs into data elements, along with available project descriptions. Please feel free to request a meeting and review the data live in our business intelligence application.
North County Transit District, California, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 35%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, North County Transit District detailed plans to spend $144 million on capital projects, an increase of 35% from $107 million in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP has 59 line items, compared to 49 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down North County Transit District’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
$41 Million Funding for Seven New Projects
Planned spending in the Rail Stations, Stops and Terminals increased significantly by $41 million with funding for seven new projects and programs, including the San Dieguito Lagoon Double-Track and Fairgrounds Station project.
Over $25 Million Programmed for Major Rail Upgrade
The North County Transit District has only one notable line item valued at over $25 million: the San Dieguito Lagoon Double-Track and Fairgrounds Station, worth $36 million. This project falls under the Rail Stations, Stops, and Terminals category and focuses on improving rail infrastructure and service in the region.
Click Here to See North County Transit District, California, CIP
City of Fresno, California, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 22%
In the CIP covering the 2025-2029 fiscal years, the city of Fresno detailed plans to spend $2 billion on capital projects, an increase of 22% from $1.7 billion in its 2024-2028 CIP. The current CIP and prior CIP both have 829 line items. The table below breaks down Fresno’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.
Most Significant Increase In Parks, After School, Recreation and Community
Almost all business areas saw an increase in funding. The largest increase goes to the Parks, Afte7r School, Recreation and Community category, which increased by 112%, or over $140 million, with funding going toward ongoing projects. The Airports category also saw an increase of 40%, or over $80 million, for the same reason.
Fresno's Public Works Boost: Over $150 Million for Traffic Upgrades
Fresno has two notable line items in the Public Works category: one valued at over $100 million and the other at nearly $50 million. The Blackstone-McKinley Grade Separation project, valued at $155 million, aims to improve traffic flow and safety by constructing a grade separation at the intersection of Blackstone Avenue and McKinley Avenue. It will also include improvements to surrounding infrastructure, such as roadways, sidewalks, and possibly utilities. Additionally, approximately $50 million is planned for the Downtown Infrastructure Grant – Parking Structure, which will support the development of a new parking structure to meet the growing demands of businesses, residents, and visitors in the downtown district.
Click Here to See City of Fresno, California, CIP
What We Are Reading
Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:
- CTA releases first update to its ASAP Strategic Plan
- Calgary City Council approves revised Green Line LRT Phase 1 project scope
- MassDOT unveils final Beyond Mobility plan document
- Phase III of SCDOT's Berlin G Myers Parkway Begins
- TxDOT to award more than $156 million to transit agencies throughout state
- Gateway Development Commission awards tunnel boring contract, approves phase two of ground stabilization contract for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Community Transit Board approves agency's Transit Development Plan
- Reimagine SamTrans initiative enters fourth and final phase
- CTA’s RLE Project to receive $396 million increase in federal funding in project’s first year
- Community Transit Board approves agency's Transit Development Plan
- MTA begins station accessibility project in Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Miami-Dade County to Get $100.5M Federal Grant to Preserve Venetian Causeway
- Construction on Jupiter, Fla.'s U.S. 1 Bridge to Finish This Fall; Polk County Bridge Work Begins
- Graniterock's Critical Turbo Project Improves Safety
- INVESTING IN AMERICA: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $26.5 Million in Grant Awards for Planning Projects to Restore and Replace Bridges Nationwide
- Sundt, CS Construction Commence $200M Phoenix Project
- Houston Highway Set for $7B Upgrade
- Norfolk Southern to Invest $200M for Upgrades Along Alabama's 3B Rail Corridor
- Six Steel Pedestrian Bridges Being Installed Along Ecusta Trail in Henderson County, N.C.
- Nogal Canyon Bridge to Be Replaced With $71M Investment
- Denver RTD and city partners receive additional funding allocation from USDOT for East Colfax Avenue BRT
- Crews to Replace Span in Augusta, Maine
- Biden-Harris Administration Announces $636 Million in Grants to Improve Airport Infrastructure
- RTC of Southern Nevada breaks ground on Maryland Parkway BRT project
- PennDOT Proposes to Replace Rail Bridge, Widen Roadway in Erie County Community
- MassDOT celebrates $54 million plan to bring battery-electric train service to Fairmount Commuter Line
- SFMTA receives first of four project contract approvals for new automatic train control system on Muni
- Biden Harris Administration Announces Nearly $300 Million in Awards for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Technologies as part of Investing in America Agenda
- USDOT Releases National Deployment Plan for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Technologies to Reduce Death and Serious Injuries on America’s Roadways
- Traffic Could Begin Moving Across Tampa Bay's Howard Frankland Bridge in Early 2025
- Crews Continue Five-Stage Plan to Upgrade I-90/I-495 Interchange Near Boston
- Honolulu’s beleaguered Skyline project to start third, $1.66B phase
- Louisiana Ready to Proceed With Building $2.3B I-10/Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles
- ME: Proposed site of new Portland train station chosen
- Grant Moves Washington-Oregon Bridge Projects Ahead
- Georgia Selects Contractors to Unclog Its I-285/I-20 West Interchange Bottleneck
- Special Henry County, Ga., Sales Tax Funding New $14.5M McDonough Parkway Extension
- 2 California commuter railroads implement zero-emission trains
- MDOT, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, WMATA to extend bus lane pilot through 2024
- CDOT, city of Medicine Hat, Alberta, to invest in zero-emission vehicles
- Indiana DOT Completes I-69 Finish Line
- VIA Metropolitan Transit Board secures $102 million from Advanced Transportation District for VIA Rapid Silver Line
- DOT awards $521M in EV charging grants amid slowing sales growth
- $2.9B San Francisco airport project finally takes off
- T.L. Wallace Begins Work On Mississippi's Pearl River Bridge
- GDOT's I-85 Widening, Phase 3 Set to Complete Late Fall/Early Winter
- PennDOT to Start Massive Road Project in Bellefonte, Replace Small Bridge in Erie County
- TriMet celebrates opening of MAX Red Line Extension
- Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link extension begins service
What Top U.S. Environmental Companies Blog About
To stay abreast of industry marketing trends, we regularly review blogs of the nation's top consulting and construction firms. These are some notable customer-focused blogs in August.
Chicago Transit Authority selects Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners to design and build Red Line Extension Project
Summary: In August 2024, Walsh Group and Vinci Construction, in partnership with Transit Community Partners, discussed in a blog that they have been selected by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to design and build the Red Line Extension Project. This significant project aims to extend the Red Line of the CTA further south into underserved areas of Chicago. The extension is expected to improve transportation access for thousands of residents, stimulate economic development, and reduce travel times. Construction is anticipated to commence shortly, with a focus on integrating community needs and sustainability.
Jacobs Receives Program Management Extension for US Capital Transit Project
Summary: On August 20, 2024, Jacobs published in a blog that it has been awarded a program management extension for the U.S. Capital Transit Project, continuing their role in overseeing this critical initiative. It involves managing the development and implementation of the transit project aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in the U.S. capital region. The project seeks to enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and support economic growth in the area. Jacobs will oversee various aspects of the project, ensuring it meets its objectives and adheres to budget and timeline constraints.
Celebrating the long-awaited opening of Sound Transit’s Lynnwood Link Extension
Summary: On August 29, 2024, HNTB announced in a blog post the opening of Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link Extension, a major milestone for public transportation in the Seattle metropolitan area. The extension extends the light rail line from the University of Washington to Lynnwood, providing a crucial link for commuters in the region. This project aims to enhance transit accessibility, reduce traffic congestion, and support regional growth by connecting underserved areas with downtown Seattle.
Jason Hargrove Transit Center Wins ENR Midwest Best Airport Transit Project
Summary: On August 22, 2024, DLZ published on a blog that the Jason Hargrove Transit Center has been recognized as the Best Airport Transit Project by ENR Midwest. The award highlights the project's excellence in design and execution. Located at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the transit center serves as a vital hub for airport transportation, enhancing connectivity and efficiency for travelers. The facility features state-of-the-art amenities and infrastructure designed to streamline passenger flow and improve the overall transit experience. The recognition underscores the project's impact on modernizing airport transit systems and reflects the successful collaboration between the design and construction teams.