RICHMOND, VA. — The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) closed the sale of the $600 million of Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Capital Projects Revenue Bonds sold on May 11 to advance transportation projects managed by the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The Commonwealth received seven highly competitive bids from underwriters. The winning bid was from Wells Fargo Bank with a true interest cost of 4.025 percent. The $600 million issue of bonds sold at a premium, netting the commonwealth $647.7 million.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On May 25, 2011, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee; Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), ranking member of the committee; Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee; and Senator David Vitter (R-LA), ranking member of the subcommittee, issued a joint statement regarding draft legislation to reauthorize the nation's surface transportation programs, titled "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)."

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 47,700 pedestrians were killed in the United States between 2000 and 2009, and the majority of those deaths were preventable, according to a new report released by Transportation for America. The report, “Dangerous by Design 2011: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths,” shows how roadway designs promoted by federal investment endanger people on foot.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Associated General Contractors of America outlined major changes needed to federal infrastructure programs to refocus on projects that are in the national interest and to restore public confidence in those programs. The reform recommendations are based on a new analysis the association conducted that identified a lack of focus and significant inefficiencies with the current approach to many federal programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak is developing an in-depth business plan that will maximize the opportunity for private investment to finance construction of infrastructure and acquisition of equipment required to provide 220-mph high-speed rail service in the Northeast Corridor. To date, numerous private investment firms have expressed interest in working with Amtrak. Proposals are due June 10.