Jan 24th 2025 | Posted in Mary Scott Nabers' Insights, Opportunities by Adam Rollins

Large projects, some requiring billions in funding for a single project, are currently in required planning and design stages throughout the country. The push to modernize and expand public transportation infrastructure is especially rampant. America cannot remain globally competitive without world-class infrastructure and there appears to be a sustained commitment to addressing current critical needs as quickly as possible.

A large infrastructure improvement project has been planned for Hudson Valley, New York. This $1.3 billion project will involve an upgrade of a 6.5-mile segment of Route 17 to mitigate traffic congestion and enhance safety. The project will expand Route 17 into a six-lane highway by adding an additional lane in each direction.

Included in the work will be components to upgrade interchanges, widen bridges, modify intersections, install advanced drainage systems, and enhance pedestrian infrastructure. The current plan also calls for reconstruction of certain highway structures and the redesign of some ramps to streamline traffic flow. The project is still in the planning phase and one last public hearing is planned for 2025. No specific dates have been announced for solicitation documents or construction launch, but both will likely happen in 2026.

Photo courtesy of Tom Barrett on Unsplash.

A $578 million interstate road expansion project in Florida will benefit the south and west areas of the state with improved traffic flow and safety along a critical 42-mile stretch of I-75. One portion of the project will focus on widening an 18.5mile section of the road spanning two counties, expanding the current six lanes into eight lanes. One new lane will be added in each direction to alleviate congestion.

Express lanes will be added north of Corkscrew Road in Estero and considerations for potential managed lane implementations in the future will be built into the design. In addition to reducing overall traffic congestion, the project is estimated to cut travel time in the region by an estimated 47%. An environmental study began in July of 2024 and construction is planned for 2026. No solicitations will be issued until the federal study has been completed.

Motorists traveling in and around San Antonio, Texas will experience better travel conditions upon completion of a large $100 – $120 million project that is being designed to upgrade and improve a critical segment of Loop 410. The work will focus on the intersection with US 281 and the surrounding areas, including the San Pedro vicinity.

The effort is necessary to provide congestion relief, increase road safety, and ensure long-term sustainability to the roadway. Areas where cars cross paths near ramps will be redesigned and some merge areas will be evaluated for upgrades as well. More auxiliary lanes will be added, and aging bridges and overpasses will be strengthened. The project also calls for improvements to interchanges, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. New technology, including advanced traffic management systems will be installed along with upgraded signage and new lighting. Currently in the advanced planning stage, this project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2026.

A sum of $1.5 billion in funding has been obtained for a large roadway infrastructure project in Baltimore, Maryland and the project is awaiting a final permit decision to launch initial phases. The work will be designed to reduce congestion and improve travel times on I-495 (Capital Beltway) and I-270 in Maryland. The improvements will extend along I-495 from south of the American Legion Bridge to east of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge including the East and West I-270 spurs.

The plan outlines project components that include adding four new managed lanes (two in each direction) to I-495 and I-270, improving interchanges and intersections, implementing dynamic pricing and adding toll systems. The work to mitigate traffic congestion will also provide enhanced motorist safety and a significant reduction in traffic-related emissions. No timelines have been announced for a project launch.

Another upcoming project in Maryland is being designed to replace three aging bridge structures and update connecting ramps and roadways within the I-695/I-70 interchange area. In addition to bringing the structures into compliance with current design standards, the project will improve traffic flow at the junction of Interstate 695 and Interstate 70. The state’s Department of Transportation plans to use a design build engagement to deliver the project which is currently in the pre-solicitation phase. The procurement phase is scheduled for 2026.

The infrastructure projects outlined here, and other similar ones planned for launch over the next two years, will deliver lasting benefits to the regions where they are located while directly impacting America’s global economic status in an extremely positive way. They will also provide very attractive opportunities for collaboration between public sector officials and private sector companies.