Transportation Market Recap, March 2024

The March 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, and recent mergers and acquisitions, as well as some interesting reads, and upcoming meetings and conferences.

To learn more about how we are helping transportation industry leaders find new opportunities in their market of interest, schedule a market opportunity workshop.

Industry Drivers

Our data team tracks new and updated industry drivers. Here are some recent drivers we have been following this month:

HR 7600 - American High-Speed Rail Act

Status: Proposed

Organization: U.S. House of Representatives

Summary: On March 8, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced an act that aims to revolutionize transportation infrastructure by developing high-speed rail corridors. The bill proposes an investment of $41 billion annually over five years, totaling $205 billion, to fund the planning and construction of high-speed and higher-speed rail projects. The Federal Railroad Administration would administer these funds through grants. Additionally, the act seeks measures to attract an additional $38 billion in private investment for these projects.

Click Here for More Information

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Release Strategy to Accelerate Zero-Emission Freight Infrastructure Deployment

Status: Effective in November 2024

Organization: Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

Summary: On March 12, 2024, the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy. The strategy outlines a plan to establish a top-tier, zero-emission freight network nationwide by 2040. It focuses on boosting the deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (ZE-MHDV) infrastructure through targeted public investment to bolster private sector efforts. In addition, the strategy aims to support the U.S. goal of reaching 30% ZE-MHDV sales by 2030 and 100% by 2040 by ensuring widespread access to electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling along freight corridors, intermodal facilities, and busy ports.

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.

Lake County, Florida, Planned Capital Spending Increased By 16%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, Lake County, Florida, detailed plans to spend $275 million on capital projects, an increase of 16% from $238 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 245 line items, compared to 258 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Lake County’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Substantial Increase in Renewal Sales Tax Capital Projects

Out of 26 business areas, the most significant increase goes to Renewal Sales Tax Capital Projects 2018, which increased by 22% due to 9 more projects in the recent CIP.

Over $10 Million Planned For Road Widening Project

Lake County has only one notable line item valued at over $10 million, which is the Hartwood Marsh Rd (Hancock To Cr 455), worth nearly $12 million, under the South Transportation Benefit District.

Click Here to See City of Newport Beach, California, CIP

Wayne County Airport Authority, Michigan, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 9%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, Wayne County Airport Authority, Michigan, detailed plans to spend $1.4 billion on capital projects, an increase of 9% from $1.4 billion in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 77 line items, compared to 87 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Wayne County Airport Authority's planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport Increases; Willow Run Airport Decreases

Planned spending in the Detroit Metropolitan Airport Increased by 12% or $140 million due to new projects, including the reconstruction of the Runway 9R/27L and associated Taxiways. On the other hand, the Willow Run Airport decreased by 21% due to ongoing projects nearing completion. 

Reconstruction of Runway to Receive Over $100 Million

Wayne County Airport Authority, Michigan has one notable line item valued at over $100 million and six at over $500 million, all belonging to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport category. The largest line item is the Runway 9R/27L & Associated Taxiways Reconstruction, worth $149 million. Other line items include:

• Taxiway K Reconstruction - worth $83 million.
• McNamara Terminal ‐ Jet Bridge Replacement - worth $77 million.
• McNamara Terminal Apron Rehabilitation ‐ Phase 7: Gates A43 through A75 Gate Apron, Associated Taxiway, Taxilane and Service Road - worth $74 million.
• Tunnel Rehabilitation ‐ Drain & Storm Sewer Replacement - worth $74 million.
• McNamara Terminal Apron Rehabilitation ‐ Phase 4: Taxilane U9 West of Gates A28 through A60, Associated Taxiway, Taxilane, Service Road and Gate Apron - worth $56 million.
• McNamara Terminal Apron Rehabilitation ‐ Phase 3: Taxilane U9 West of Gates A4 through A24, Associated Taxiway, Taxilane, Service Road and Gate Apron - worth $56 million. 

Click Here to See Wayne County Airport Authority, Michigan, CIP

City of Newport News, Virginia, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 30%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, City of Newport News, Virginia, detailed plans to spend $1.1 billion on capital projects, an increase of 30% from $848 million in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 155 line items, compared to 143 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down City of Newport News' planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Most Significant Increase in Streets and Bridges

Planned Spending in the Streets and Bridges increased by 84% due to new projects added, including the New I-64 and Denbigh Interchange, worth $46 million. Public Buildings also increased by 53% going for existing projects. The facilities and improvements project for schools under the Schools category also increased by over $30 million. 

Nearly $100 Million Programmed for Government Centers

The City of Newport News, Virginia, has three notable line items valued at over $25 million. The largest line item is the Sherwood - Governmental Center, worth $90 million, under the Public Buildings category. The site is approximately 32 acres that will replace Grissom Library into a citizen “one-stop,” including the Police precinct, Department of Human Services, Department of Water Works, Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer, Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Library Administration. Nearly $53 million is planned under the Schools category for the Facility Renovation and Improvements, including total HVAC replacement, complete roof replacement, building system upgrades to include plumbing and electrical updates, and minor facility aesthetical upgrades to accommodate instructional needs at Warwick HS. Lastly, under the Streets and Bridges category, $47 million is planned to install the first phase of a full interchange on I-64 at Denbigh Boulevard Bridge.

Click Here to See Newport News, Virginia, CIP

City of Topeka, Kansas, Planned Capital Program Increased By 29%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2033 fiscal years, City of Topeka, Kansas, detailed plans to spend $911 million on capital projects, an increase of 29% from $706 million in its 2023-2032 CIP. The current CIP has 229 line items, compared to 126 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down City of Topeka's planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Investing in Infrastructure Gets Substantial Increase

Planned spending under the Investing in Infrastructure category increased by 37% due to the new Water Main Replacement Program 2027-2033 and Wastewater Lining & Replacement Program 2027-2033, totaling over $100 million.

Over $50 Million Programmed for Infrastructure Projects

The City of Topeka, Kansas has four notable line items valued at over $15 million, all belonging to the Investing in Infrastructure category. The largest line item is the SW 17th St. - I-470 to MacVicar Ave, worth $23 million. This project will replace the pavement on SW 17th Street between SW MacVicar Avenue and Interstate 470 and will also include water line replacement along with sanitary sewer point repairs. Listed below are the other notable line items:

• SE 29th St./ Kansas Turnpike Authority Interchange - worth $20 million to construct a new interchange on the Kansas Turnpike at SE 29th Street. 
• Polk Quincy Viaduct - East - worth $19 million. The project would require full reconstruction of I-70 from the end of the PQV West project to approximately SE Indiana which would include the bridges over Adams St. and Shunga Creek
• SW Huntoon St. - Gage Blvd. to Harrison St. - worth nearly $19 million. This project consists of full pavement reconstruction on SW Huntoon St. from Gage Blvd. to Harrison St and is scheduled to begin in 2024 and right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation in 2025.

Click Here to See City of Topeka, Kansas, CIP

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Planned Capital Expenditure Increased By 14%

In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, detailed plans to spend $621 million on capital projects, an increase of 14% from $546 billion in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP has 77 line items, compared to 89 line items in the prior CIP. The table below breaks down Allegheny County’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs.

Most Significant Increase in the Equipment Category; Decrease in Bridges Category

Planned spending in the Equipment category increased by 69% with funding towards ongoing projects. On the other hand, the Bridges category decreased by 22% due to  projects nearing completion.

Road Reconstruction to Receive $20 Million of Investment

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has three notable line items valued at over $10 million. The largest line item is the Campbell's Run Road Reconstruction, worth $20 million, under the Roads category.The other two belong to the Bridges category which are the following:

• Bridge Preservation - worth $12 million - for the rehabilitation of eligible bridge structures using Federal Preservation funds. The funding can be used for repairs that preserve existing structures by extending the useful life of eligible bridges.
• Patton Street Bridge - worth $10 million for the rehabilitation of the Patton Street Bridge, including engineering and design work. 

Click Here to See Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, CIP

What We Are Reading

Here are some recent articles our team has been reading:

• Denver RTD's downtown light-rail reconstruction project to begin in May
• JTA begins design and construction of MobilityWorks 2.0
• Minneapolis area’s Metro Transit Blue Line light-rail project continues to be eligible for funding through FTA’s New Starts program
• JTA begins design and construction of MobilityWorks 2.0
• MDOT MTA delays Purple Line opening until winter 2027
• King County Metro breaks ground on first electric bus base facility
• MBTA, MassDOT release results of Silver Line Extension Alternatives Analysis
• President Biden’s FY 2025 Budget includes nearly $4 billion in CIG funding
• New agreement between NYC, New York state and PANYNJ supports Midtown Bus Terminal Replacement
• FHWA opens $1.2 billion in funding to decrease air pollution from transportation sector
• US DOT awards $3.3B to reconnect communities, offers funding for other transportation projects
• NJ Transit Board of Directors advances construction of Hoboken Terminal; approves ground lease agreement for Hoboken Connect Project
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces Investments in Innovative Transportation Technology Projects
• Biden administration asks for 2.7% FY 2025 increase in DOT budget
• $10B New York City intercity bus terminal project moves forward
• TriMet proposes $1.75 billion FY25 budget
• San Diego MTS approves $243.3 million FY25 capital improvement program budget
• King County Metro signs contract with GILLIG to purchase electric buses
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $45 Million in Available Funds to Improve Bicyclist and Pedestrian Connectivity and Safety
• PRT to invest $150 million during next four years to bolster safety, reliability and longevity of light-rail infrastructure
• IL: With more funding rolling in and planning underway, a redesign of Chicago Union Station is moving forward
• Biden-Harris Administration Announces $110 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Improve Safety and Efficiency at 71 Airports
• CA: Construction underway in Ontario for new rapid bus service
• PANYNJ Board approves $160 million for EWR Station Access project
• North Carolina transportation leaders revise Charlotte Passenger Rail Facility design
• PA: Long-awaited Lehigh Valley passenger train study revealed. Here are the highlights
  

What Top U.S. Environmental Companies Blog About

FirmoGraphs tracks blogging habits of the Top 200 Environmental companies. With the help of our tool Power Search, we help our customers use this information to improve proactive conversations with their clients. Below are the most notable blogs in March.

AtkinsRéalis Continues Decades-Long Georgia Department of Transportation Support with $40 Million US Engineering Services Contract

Summary: On March 4, 2024, AtkinsRéalis, part of the SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., has secured a $40 million US Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), continuing their long-standing relationship since 2000. The contract, spanning three years with a potential extension to five, will entail providing on-call Engineering Design services and additional engineering support services, primarily focusing on 23 active projects in Georgia DOT's Region 3, covering 65 counties and addressing a variety of transportation challenges such as capacity, operational, and safety improvements.

AECOM-led team selected by Amtrak to support the development of the $1.5 billion Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project

Summary: On March 5, 2024, AECOM released a blog about being chosen by Amtrak to oversee the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project. The project aims to replace the century-old bridge in Maryland with two new ones to enhance rail connectivity and safety along the U.S. Northeast Corridor. AECOM will provide various professional services, including project management and design coordination while prioritizing partnerships with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms to foster economic opportunities.

Making Roads and Habitats Safer: Supporting Clients on New Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program

Summary: On March 11, 2024, Jacobs released a blog discussing how Federal Highway Administration has initiated a pilot program to enhance habitat connectivity and road safety by preventing wildlife-vehicle collisions, with several projects led by Jacobs' clients receiving funding. This includes projects such as the Gaviota Pass Wildlife Connectivity and Vehicle Collision Reduction Project in California, which involves expanding a culvert and installing fencing to aid wildlife movement, and the construction of the Greenland Wildlife Overpass in Colorado between Denver and Colorado Springs, which aims to mitigate collisions and connect habitats. Jacobs has also contributed to wildlife mitigation efforts, such as the I-25 South Gap project in Colorado, which included wildlife crossings and fencing to reduce animal-vehicle collisions.

Meeting Planner

In this over-digitized age, there is no replacement for face-to-face meetings with your prospects and customers! We track meetings of interest to our customers serving the U.S. transit industry so you won’t miss upcoming meetings and deadlines. Additionally, FirmoGraphs has recently implemented a free-of-charge service for tracking notable infrastructure events. 

Meetings in April and May 2024

Early Bird Registration

• Event: AASHTO Spring Meeting
  Dates: April 19 - April 23, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: April 19, 2024
  
  
• Event: TRB Automated Road Transportation Symposium
  Dates: July 29 - August 1, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: April 28, 2024
  
  
• Event: TRB Conference on Advancing Transportation Equity
  Dates: July 15 - July 18, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: April 17, 2024
  
  
• Event: Transportation Research Board
  Dates: August 12 - August 14, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: May 17, 2024
  
  
• Event: TRB Transportation Symposium on Environment, Energy, and Livable Economies
  Dates: August 25 - August 28, 2024
  Deadline for Early Registration: May 24, 2024

Call For Papers

• Event: PCA Cement Conference
  Dates: April 28 - May 2, 2024
  Deadline for Call for Papers: April 15, 2024
  
  
• Event: TRB Transportation Symposium on Environment, Energy, and Livable Economies
  Dates: August 25 - August 28, 2024
  Deadline for Call for Papers: April 15, 2024