WASHINGTON, D.C. —No matter how you slice it, the outlook for the 2012 transportation construction market is mixed, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA) senior economist said in releasing her annual economic forecast during a 90-minute webinar for Wall Street analysts and construction industry executives.

  VANCOUVER, WASH. — The Columbia River Crossing project announced today that Max J. Kuney Company has been awarded a $4.22 million contract to conduct a construction techniques test project in early 2012. The Washington contractor submitted the lowest of eight bids for the test project. The test project will allow engineers to refine design assumptions and project plans, keeping the project on schedule to start construction by the end of 2013.

  AUSTIN, TEXAS — Central Dallas will soon get a much-needed makeover as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) moves forward with a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Horseshoe Project. TxDOT hopes to use a design-build approach to develop the critical transportation project located in the heart of downtown Dallas.

 MADISON, WIS. — Michael Baker Jr., Inc., a unit of Michael Baker Corporation, announced that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) awarded the company a preliminary design contract of $8.8 million for the improvement and reconstruction of the Daniel Hoan Bridge and the I-794 Freeway. Design services include structures, roadway, traffic, surveys, public involvement, environmental, geotechnical, and lighting. Anticipated duration for preliminary design is approximately eight months.

 SALEM, ORE. — Federal transportation agencies gave formal approval for the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project plan which allows final design and construction planning to proceed. The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration signed a record of decision for the CRC, finalizing the environmental review process and formally identifying the federal agencies’ selected alternative for the CRC — a replacement Interstate 5 bridge with light rail.