The significance of electrification, a trend now sweeping America, must be noted. Its economic impact will be historic, and numerous industries will be changed forever. More than half a trillion dollars has already been allocated through federal programs to fund electrification of the country’s infrastructure. It’s important to remember that infrastructure covers all basic physical […]
Most citizens understood what ‘Congressional earmarks’ were in the past but then new rules were adopted and earmarks were no longer allowed. Now, however, earmarks are back, and it is important to watch them because they signal upcoming projects that will be of high interest to many firms. Congressional elected officials are now tagging bills […]
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’s 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 to communities ready to launch infrastructure projects […]
Natural disasters are becoming more regular and more intense. Thousands of lives have been lost over the last several years and trillions of dollars have been spent on the accumulated damage. The growing cost of coping and dealing with the aftermath of weather events has made one thing abundantly clear – investing in resilience makes […]
Ever wonder how much it would take to make all of America’s bridges safe and in good repair? Spoiler alert – it will require billions. A recent study released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that $48 billion will be required just to replace and/or rehabilitate National Highway System bridges currently classified as “structurally […]
Support for public-private partnerships (P3s) continues to mount and federal programs are available to help fund P3 projects. Not only is the federal government encouraging private sector collaboration and investment, guidance for public officials ready to launch the projects is also available now. The newly launched Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program has placed assistance centers throughout […]
Bus rapid transit (BRT) system activities should not be overlooked if partnering with the government is of interest. This is a ‘hot’ marketplace for contracting and collaboration. Opportunities will include, but not be limited to, initiatives that enhance and make route schedules more efficient, convenient and appealing. The construction of sheltered wait stations, real-time mapping […]
Federal programs that have been significantly enhanced are now responsible for hundreds of new projects called ‘rail to trail’ initiatives throughout the U.S. Congress authorized billions of dollars to support multi-use trails and other kinds of non-motorized transportation projects and the funding is now flowing through the Federal Highway Administration. In fact, the distribution is […]
A recent study revealed some shocking facts. Researchers with Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization, provided data that points to more than 200 million Americans who must depend on contaminated drinking water. Chemicals that are commonly used to treat manufactured products for heat resistance and water repellence (PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’) are now in the […]
American ports, even those that are among the busiest in the world, have faced near-crippling levels of congestion since the outbreak of COVID. Supply chain back-ups have also had a negative impact. The smaller ports especially have scrambled to meet demand, but it is obvious that operational inadequacies at all U.S. ports must be addressed. […]
Public officials at the local levels of government are using recent increases in tax revenue to support tourism projects. State officials throughout the country are also launching new funding programs to increase economic development and lock in future economic vitality. The result is that there is about to be an abundance of new contracting opportunities […]
The federal government is changing the rules for some very significant funding programs. Many of the changes relate to how federal agencies will distribute funding to state and local governments and the types of projects the funding will support. Rules emphasizing cybersecurity, clean energy, resilience, environmental justice and equity (among other priorities) are already impacting […]
Over recent years, smart technologies that emphasize automation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and data monitoring have become critical components of infrastructure modernization projects. Public officials are doubling down on these types of technologies because of the benefits they deliver. Smart technology was first noticed when governmental entities installed LED lighting, synchronized and adjustable […]
Enrollment data for K-12 school systems in the U.S. can fluctuate dramatically from year to year. Regardless of whether enrollment increases or decreases, the numbers point to demand changes and, more often than not, school officials must address growth with new construction projects. For school districts with land-ownership portfolios, the most common approach […]
Throughout the country, consortiums, partnerships and work groups are being formed to launch large critical projects. There’s a reason for the collaboration and it is noteworthy enough to point out what the data shows. Partnerships and regional consortiums accomplish more than any one public entity can deliver, especially when funding is needed for large, complex […]
America will continue to be a global economic leader only if the country maintains a skilled and trained future workforce. That critical component could cease to exist without continual monitoring and ongoing training initiatives. Fortunately, public officials at every level of government are committed to maintaining the country’s global status and they are working to […]
The federal government released a National Cybersecurity Strategy last week. It provides guidelines about how cybersecurity should be used to protect critical infrastructure in America. The strategy identifies five key objectives that are eligible for funding. The targets include defending critical infrastructure, disrupting threat actors, taking a more active role related to protection, investing in […]
Many parts of the country have experienced catastrophic winter weather events in recent years. In Texas recent winter weather issues were exacerbated when over-taxed grid networks failed to perform. Grid failures are why some public officials are spending millions on energy resilience projects. The U.S. solar market, which is just one segment of the energy […]
According to data released in 2022, the U.S. currently faces a shortage of approximately 3.8 million homes. More recent projections suggest that number may now be even higher. To address this extremely critical issue, Congress authorized an abundance of funding and an attractive tax incentive plan to address the problem. The federal government’s Housing and […]
For years, state governments affected by the opioid epidemic were locked in intense litigation with pharmaceutical companies, some of which are the most powerful corporations in the world. The years of legal battles are now paying off and approximately $54 billion in settlement money is being distributed to state and local governments across the country. […]
Before environmental concerns became a staple of urban planning, industrial sites dominated waterfront properties in American cities. For decades, factories used urban waterways to dispose of pollutants. As environmental awareness grew, however, those sites were abandoned, but the toxic aftermath lingered. New funding and technology are both available now to remedy that risk, and the […]
A 2019 study pointed to an interesting trend. The data provided very compelling insights into America’s libraries. It revealed that, as libraries digitize books, magazines and services, their reach and impact become significantly greater. The number of citizens using library services increases exponentially with digitization and upgraded space. This revelation has created a paradigm shift […]
Project delivery methods have been debated for years. Which one is best? Which is most efficient? Which reduces risk? Which delivers a project the quickest? Some argue that infrastructure projects are delivered faster and with greater cost-effectiveness when the design-build method of delivery is used. Others disagree. The design-build model of collaborative engagement accelerates project […]
Recent changes to federal funding programs are dramatically widening the scope of airport expansion plans throughout the U.S. In the fall of 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the availability of $1 billion during 2023 for airport expansion projects. Over the next several weeks, the FAA will release its list of awardees for this […]
Public safety is front and center with public officials today. Big changes are coming as historic amounts of federal funding pour into cities, counties, states and special purpose districts for projects to improve public safety that will be launched in 2023. One common thread is that among the diverse range of safety projects already planned, […]
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