Category: News

CFIRE Funding MAFC News

MVFC Authorization Renewed

Jul 15, 2010 by Mid-America Freight Coalition 0 Comments

At the recent meeting of the Mississippi Valley Conference of AASHTO, the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition authorized the Coalition for an additional two years, through 2012.
The Executive Committee used the result of the MVFC Business Meeting, held in conjunction with the 2010 MVFC Conference and Annual Meeting, as the basis for their discussion.
The 2011-2012 MVFC Program includes changes to the governance structure of the Coalition, to streamline the committees and involve more MPO representatives.
During these two years, the MVFC will focus its research and outreach efforts in several areas:

  • Commercial Vehicle Operations Training
  • Economic Analysis Training
  • Regional Freight Plan

Two thirds of the $750,000 funding for the 2011-2012 MVFC program is provided by the ten member states; one third is provided by the National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Development (CFIRE). CFIRE will continue to provide coordination and member support for the Coalition.
“The MVFC has been the anchor for the CFIRE research program. We have had good experiences working with the states in our region and we are pleased to continue the collaborative efforts of the coalition,” said CFIRE Director Teresa Adams.
For more information, consult the 2011-2012 Program of the MVFC, approved by the Executive Committee on July 8, 2010.

MAFC News

The Next Step Forward for the I-39/90 Expansion

Jun 2, 2010 by Mid-America Freight Coalition 0 Comments , ,

At a press conference today, Wisconsin DOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi and Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan announced the completion of the environmental impact statement required for a project to widen I-39/90 to six lanes from Beloit to Madison. Now that the environmental impact statement is complete, the State can apply for federal funds to complete the expansion of this stretch of Interstate.
Busalacchi said that he expects the federal government to sign off on the environmental impact statement in the next 30 days and that he hopes that the project will be complete by 2015. There are several more approvals required before the project can begin construction.
This project is expected to cost $1 billion. Supporters claim that expanding this stretch of highway will increase safety and boost the regional economy.

CFIRE Funding MAFC News

US DOT TIGER Seminar

May 10, 2010 by Mid-America Freight Coalition 0 Comments ,

The US DOT is holding an online seminar to assist TIGER II grant applicants.

The U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) is sponsoring an educational seminar pertaining to the TIGER II Discretionary Grant program.  Entitled “Lessons on How to Compete For a DOT Discretionary Grant,” the seminar will be held on Tuesday, May 18, and will also be simulcast through the DOT web site at http://www.dot.gov/.  There is no registration fee, however, online registration for in-person attendance is required by May 12.
The purpose of the seminar is to identify the key elements of competitive applications, to provide information on developing benefit/cost analyses, and to present information on the program’s processes.  The seminar will also discuss information outlining the next round of discretionary grant awards (TIGER II) for the $600 million USDOT received in the FY2011 Appropriations process.

Further event details and registration information can be found at:  Lessons on How to Compete For a DOT Discretionary Grant.  If you have any questions, contact the seminar’s coordinator: Lachaundra Graham, Phone:  202-366-6011, E-mail:  TigerGrants@dot.gov.

Maritime News

Marine Highway Rule Now Final

Apr 9, 2010 by Mid-America Freight Coalition 0 Comments

With the most recent edition of the Federal Register, America’s Marine Highway Rule became final:

On October 9, 2008, the Department of Transportation published an interim final rule that established America’s Marine Highway Program, under which the Secretary will designate marine highway corridors and identify and support short sea transportation projects to expand domestic water transportation services as an alternative means of moving containerized and wheeled freight cargoes; mitigate the economic, environmental and energy costs of landside congestion; integrate the marine highway into the transportation planning process; and research improvements in efficiencies and environmental sustainability.
…
This rule adopts the interim final rule, addresses Marine Highway Corridors (and continues to solicit recommendations for Marine Highway Corridor recommendations), and establishes eligibility requirements, criteria and information necessary to apply for designation as a Marine Highway Project by the Secretary of Transportation.

For more information, see FR Doc 2010-7899,  the MARAD press release, or the AASHTO journal.