WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $77 million in grants to 22 University Transportation Centers (UTCs) to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation. The UTCs, which are located throughout the United States, conduct research that directly supports the priorities of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

   RICHMOND, VA. — Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell announced that the Dominion Boulevard project, a significant transportation improvement to ease congestion and improve safety in Chesapeake, Va., will move forward as a result of financing provided by the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (VTIB).

  JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Building America’s Future Educational Fund and the JAX Chamber co-hosted a policy forum to discuss how a strategic and long-term plan of smart infrastructure investments would grow the economy and enhance economic competitiveness. The discussion included a frank conversation on Jacksonville’s infrastructure challenges and ways to bring greater transparency to our nation’s transportation policy so that policy decisions are made based on economics, not politics.

   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. —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.