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.

   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.

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and CEO Michael Melaniphy examined the needs and trends facing the public transportation industry in his “2012: State of the Public Transportation Industry” article published in the Jan. 16, 2012 Passenger Transport issue. Melaniphy pointed out that more and more people are pro-transit, as evidenced by the overwhelming support for public transportation ballot initiatives since 2000.

   WASHINGTON, D.C. — From its vantage point as the voice of transportation, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) offered a look at the top 10 issues that will be talked, written, or tweeted about and legislated in the year ahead.

   WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a public meeting on the H Street/Benning Road Streetcar line, Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced that an interim connection to Union Station would be used. The mayor told the crowd of residents and business owners that the District will move forward with plans to link the streetcar to the train station via the Hopscotch Bridge that carries H Street over the Amtrak tracks.