Feb 21st 2025 | Posted in Mary Scott Nabers' Insights, Opportunities by Mary Scott Nabers

Transportation infrastructure projects are likely to never end because roads, bridges, rail, and public transportation must be maintained. Currently, at the federal level of government, billions are still being allocated for critical infrastructure projects that call for much more than planning, engineering, and construction. Modernized technology is a basic component of most projects and upgraded products and equipment of every kind are now commonly described in planning documents. Cities and counties are also funding large roadway infrastructure projects to improve safety and alleviate congestion. The following examples are common to hundreds more currently in the planning phase throughout America.

The city of San Francisco will soon get an upgraded train control system for its transit authority. A project will be launched to replace the current outdated technology. The existing system was installed in 1998, and it relies on components that are no longer readily available, so frequent delays coupled with continual maintenance have become the norm. The cost to remedy this problem is approximately $700 million but it will allow for a communications-based control system that provides continuous real-time communication between trains and central control. Subway delays will be reduced by 20-25% and the improved wait-time consistency will increase overall capacity.

Because of the project’s size, the work will be completed in multiple phases over the next several years. A consulting firm and a design team have been selected to assist with engineering and construction management. Solicitation documents will be released shortly after completion of the design phase.

Officials in Monroe County, Michigan will oversee the launch of a bridge replacement and corridor improvement project that carries a cost projection of $325 million. The effort will be designed to enhance safety and improve infrastructure resilience. It will include replacing an aging bridge and upgrading the roadway along a section of the I-75 corridor between Detroit and Toledo.

Photo courtesy of JaGa.

The River Raisin Bridge will be replaced with a modern structure designed to meet current and future traffic demands. It will be designed for a 100-year lifespan, and be capable of handling approximately 61,000 vehicles daily, including a high volume of commercial trucks. The project will also update six structures with modern safety and durability standards. Included in this portion of the work are two bridges spanning Class I railroad lines.

Additionally, more than three miles of I-75 will be reconstructed to enhance roadway safety and improve freight movement efficiency. One street interchange will be reconfigured to alleviate congestion and improve safety. The procurement phase will be delayed, and actual work may also be delayed with work possibly beginning early in 2028.

A bridge that connects Boise Idaho and Barber Valley has been shut down after the release of an inspection report that revealed severe structural decay. The bridge, originally built in 1954 and widened in 1998, is currently accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists as all motor vehicle traffic on it has been halted. A $38.3 million bridge replacement project is being planned. The project is being expedited and other bridges in and around Boise are being tested for potential repair as well. A timeline for construction has not been announced but the project is advancing quickly and due to its urgent nature, details are expected soon.

The need for resiliency is also accelerating the launch of a utility infrastructure protection project in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The objective will be to strengthen all utility and infrastructure systems so that the essential transmission and distribution systems are fortified against severe weather events, particularly hurricanes and high-wind conditions. The work will call for strengthening six transmission feeders, reinforcing two distribution structures, and fortifying a control facility to withstand wind speeds of up to 150 mph.

The upgrades are critical to the protection of key infrastructure in high-risk areas which include Gonzales, Sorrento, Geismar, Burnside and a few other areas where extreme weather conditions pose significant threats to the stability of power distribution networks. When completed, the project will mitigate power outages and infrastructure failures and ensure a reliable energy supply for residents and businesses. Funding for the project has been secured but no contractor selections have been made. Construction is set to begin in 2025.

A $73 million project to deliver a new railroad bridge and repair its surrounding crossings has been announced and will be overseen by both the Texas Department of Transportation and the New Mexico Department of Transportation. It will be designed to improve safety and mobility in the border communities of Farwell, Texas, and Texico, New Mexico. The work will involve the construction of a new roadway alignment to bypass existing at-grade railroad crossings, with the objective of eliminating potential conflict points between rail and vehicular traffic.

Additionally, two at-grade crossings will be closed to enhance safety and traffic flow. When completed, the project will provide significant reductions in wait-time for vehicle crossings, resulting in lowered exhaust emissions and contributing to improved air quality in the region. The project is still in the design phase and officials are obtaining the necessary approvals. Construction will likely begin later this year.

Officials at the city of Lilydale, Minnesota, in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, have announced an $18 million project to replace an aging local bridge near downtown St. Paul. The current bridge is reaching the end of its service life, and continued maintenance is no longer cost-effective. The work will include replacing the I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd as well as concrete pavement reconstruction and repairs on the bridge over the Mississippi River.

The new structure will enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce long-term repair costs. Once the new bridge is installed on the Interstate-35 roadway, work will begin on ramp enhancements to improve traffic flow throughout the area. While all the pre-project work continues, officials have indicated that construction work is slated for 2026.

Interested parties should reach out to local officials as soon as possible to position themselves for upcoming infrastructure projects. Most projects will require local subcontracting partners and early declarations of interest to public officials are almost always appreciated.

As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers has decades of experience working in the public-private sector. A well-recognized expert in the P3 and government contracting fields, she is often asked to share her industry insights with top publications and through professional speaking engagements.