WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Members of the Committee unveiled the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act. The initiative is a long overdue infrastructure bill that reforms transportation programs and promotes increased domestic energy production to create American jobs.

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) told the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) that the best way to reduce unnecessary regulatory red-tape on transportation projects is to improve the wetlands permitting process. ARTBA submitted comments to the Corps Jan. 17 in response to a government-wide regulatory review initiated by President Obama in 2011, detailing specific recommendations to make wetlands permitting more efficient.

  RICHMOND, VA. — The proposed Route 460 Corridor - Interstate 85 Connector Improvement Project between Hampton Roads and Petersburg will do far more than present an alternative to the congested I-64 corridor, according to a new report released by Chmura Economics, a national consulting firm based in Richmond. Chmura's study states that the $1.6 billion project to provide a new four-lane highway linking the Port of Virginia to commercial and population centers to the south and west will have an annual economic impact by 2020 estimated at $7.3 billion, supporting 14,120 jobs in the corridor, and $5.7 billion, supporting 11,255 jobs in the Hampton Roads area alone.

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — During his State of the Union address on Jan. 24, 2012, President Obama called on federal agencies to cut red tape in construction projects. Accepting that challenge, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood proposed a significant change in the way major transit projects compete for federal funds by streamlining the process and making decisions more responsive to local needs.

  PALM DESERT, CALIF. — The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) released a report on life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) procedures which examines in depth the concept of the material-specific discount rate. "Material-Specific Discount Rate: Inappropriate for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis" (NAPA Special Report 203) outlines standard and customary life-cycle cost analysis models. It also highlights a light on a “material-specific discount rate,” which is being promoted by the cement and concrete industries.

  LAS VEGAS — As oil prices rise and refineries adopt new technologies, industry experts are seeing a direct impact on the costs for states to build and maintain roads and highways. According to the Portland Cement Association (PCA), the lower “initial bid” of asphalt roads has disappeared, yet industry experts say many state departments of transportation (DOTs) have not changed their bidding policies.

   WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ARTBA Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Transportation Development Hall of Fame. The hall honors individuals or families from the public and private sectors who have made extraordinary contributions to U.S. transportation development or demonstrated exceptional leadership over their lifetime.

   INDIAN RIVER, DEL. — One lane of southbound traffic on the Indian River Inlet Bridge opened to passenger traffic on Friday, Jan. 20. In the next several days, one northbound lane will be open to vehicular traffic. Demolition work will then begin on the old bridge.