WASHINGTON, D.C. — Forty-eight transportation design and construction industry “rising stars” came to the nation’s capital June 3-6 to participate in the American Road and Transportation Builders (ARTBA) Foundation’s 18th annual Young Executive Development Program (YEDP). The intensive, four-day program focuses on the impact the federal government has on the industry and the role ARTBA plays in shaping national transportation policy. The 2013 class marks the largest ever in ARTBA history. YEDP graduates represented more than 20 states and work in all sectors of the transportation construction industry. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the strong demand for TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants continues as once again the number of applications has surpassed the available funding. Applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation for TIGER 2013 grants totaled more than $9 billion, far exceeding the $474 million set aside for the program. The department received 568 applications from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa. 

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — One of America’s top engineers, an asphalt equipment manufacturing innovator, a 40-year New Jersey construction association executive, and the founder of a leading engineering firm were inducted June 3 into the 2013 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation’s “Transportation Development Hall of Fame.” Launched in 2010, the Hall honors individuals or families from the public and private sectors who have made extraordinary contributions to U.S. transportation development during their careers. A committee of judges comprised of nine construction industry journalists reviewed the nominees in two categories.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Many Americans are not sure how much money we personally pay every month to maintain and improve the roads, bridges and public transit we use. But, according to research commissioned by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), 75 to 80 percent of us say having safe, efficient and well-maintained transportation infrastructure is at least, if not more, important to our personal livelihood and well-being than good cable, cell phone, internet, water, sewage and household electricity and natural gas services. 

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.