RICHMOND — The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has granted the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) preliminary approval to toll I-95 under the Interstate Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program. In a Sept. 14 letter, FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez granted the conditional provisional approval and outlined steps required to move forward. Preliminarily, VDOT estimates it could generate $250 million over the first five years of the toll program and over $50 million annually thereafter.

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) issued a request for proposals to develop guidelines for the selection and maintenance of highway-related stormwater best management practices (BMPs) based on long-term performance and life-cycle costs. Proposals are due Nov. 8, 2011.

  IDAHO SPRINGS, COLO. — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is encouraging the public to participate in a Sept. 27 meeting regarding proposed improvements to immediately address safety issues and improve traffic flow at the Twin Tunnels east of Idaho Springs, one of the most critical congestion bottlenecks on the Interstate 70 (I-70) Mountain Corridor. CDOT proposes widening the interstate to three eastbound lanes between Idaho Springs and the base of Floyd Hill, enlarging the eastbound bore of the tunnels and addressing safety issues on the eastbound highway curves between the tunnels and Floyd Hill.

 FAIRFAX, COUNTY, VA. ― Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews continue to assess road and bridge damage in northern Virginia from Tropical Storm Lee, which destroyed three bridges on secondary roads and damaged pavement on dozens of roads.

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three distinguished American engineers have been selected for induction into the highest place of honor in the transportation design and construction industry: the 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.