MOUNT VERNON, WASH. — A portion of a bridge on Interstate 5 collapsed into the Skagit River near Mount Vernon Thursday evening, closing the busy highway as national and state investigators work to determine the cause. According to The Seattle Times, three people from two vehicles were rescued from the water and taken to hospitals with minor injuries. There were no reported deaths. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced an additional $3.7 billion in disaster relief funds to help the four major transit agencies in New York and New Jersey that sustained the greatest damage from Hurricane Sandy. In addition to supporting ongoing post-storm recovery work, nearly one-third of the money, made available through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Emergency Relief Program, is set aside to help the agencies begin investing in resiliency projects to help ensure that their transit assets — from trains and buses to stations and subway tunnels — are better able to withstand future disasters, such as major floods. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With 13 Republican and 13 Democratic co-sponsors, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) introduced The Partnership to Build America Act (H.R. 2084). The Partnership to Build America Act creates a $50 billion dollar infrastructure fund that can be leveraged to $750 billion. This fund will be capitalized by the sale of 50-year bonds that are not guaranteed by the federal government and pay 1 percent interest rate. The fund will provide loans or loan guarantees to states and municipalities to finance transportation, energy, communications, water, and education infrastructure projects.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood awarded a $10.9 million TIGER 2012 grant to the City of West Memphis, Ark., to expand the city’s port. Once the expansion is complete, the port will be able to handle increased freight rail capacity, helping businesses send more goods to markets across the country. It will also help position the port and the region as a freight transportation leader, attracting development and creating new jobs for those living in and around West Memphis. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House recently honored 12 individuals or organizations that have provided exemplary leadership in developing or implementing transportation technology solutions to enhance performance, reduce congestion, improve safety, and facilitate communication across the transportation industry at the local, state or national level. 

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. — The Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute's Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at Penn State was selected by the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Professionals (PAEP) to receive the 2013 Karl Mason Environmental Stewardship Award. The award was presented at the PAEP award banquet on May 9, at the Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center in State College, Pa. 

RICHMOND, VA. — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has advertised a $120 million project to rehabilitate 163 lane miles of I-264 and I-64 in the Hampton Roads region. Contracts are scheduled to be awarded by the end of the year, with construction beginning early next year. In the meantime, VDOT continues to address deteriorating sections of pavement. 

PITTSBURGH — Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corporation, was awarded a five-year, $2.7 million contract by the Allegheny County (Pa.) Department of Public Works for the rehabilitation of the Roberto Clemente (6th Street), Andy Warhol (7th Street), and Rachel Carson (9th Street) Bridges in Pittsburgh. Specifically, Baker will provide preliminary engineering, final design, and construction-phase services for the rehabilitation of the three bridges.