Central I70 project

Central I70 project

Continuing with our focus on major infrastructural projects in the Middle States, the Central 70 project is considered to be the largest infrastructure development project in the Colorado Department of Transportation’s history. The project’s main objective is to reconstruct a 10-mile stretch of I-70, add a new express lane in each direction and construct a 4-acre park in a portion of the lowered interstate. Finached through a public-private partnership, the project would cost $1.2 billion in value. The CDOT would be working with Kiewit and Meridiam, for this project.

“The need for this project results from the following issues:

·      Increased transportation demand

·      Limited transportation capacity

·      Safety concerns

·      Transportation infrastructure deficiencies” (Denvergov)

At present, the project has attracted controversy regarding changes to laws which reduce the required air quality standards for the project. This project is linked to the I70 Mountain Corridor Project, which was discussed in this blog in February this year.

A picture of the existing highway (Image Credits: Denver.Local CBS)

Denver FasTracks

Denver FasTracks

This country needs many ambitious transit projects to keep it running. One of them is the FasTrack system. A multi-billion-dollar public transportation expansion plan, it is expected to bring in 122 new miles of commuter and light rail, along with expansion of the T-REX project, 57 new transit stations and stops, 21,000 new parking spaces, 18 miles of a bus service between Denver and Boulder and the renovation of Denver Union Station as a multi-modal transportation hub. What are the main objectives of this project: they include similar goals from other initiatives mainly increasing transit-oriented development that will reduce sprawl, congestion and pollution.

While originally budgeted at $4.7 billion, it has ballooned to up more than $7 now. What happened? Once again, the usual problems of stalled negotiations with an existing infrastructure, economic impact of 2008 recession, inflation in cost of materials and delays in construction have made Denverites to wait for this project even more. With budget cuts, driver shortages and declining ridership among the existing transit lines, the state leadership has to definitely take a call if they want to focus on existing ridership or continue develop Denver FasTrack.

An overview map of the project (Image Credits: Denver Infill)

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on US Infrastructure

As the world reels from the COVID-19 Pandemic, many economic organizations including the IMF predicts an outset of a recession, which could be worse than the 2008 one. It is no open secret that US infrastructure lags behind other countries on many parameters. Many blame the lack of spending; but the main problem could be resource management. There are a lot of concerns regarding the reluctance to use tools of the Fourth Industrial Age to relieve traffic congestion problems.

The WE Forum has suggested three strong measures which US must enact to solve its infrastructure woes. I am going to reiterate them here:

1.     “Consolidate government authority to execute infrastructure projects

2.     To prioritize projects, the US should also start using data-driven decision-making processes

3.     Finally, we need to harness innovation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution to improve construction technology” (WEForum)

Since most infrastructure construction activities are shut down, there needs to be some economic stimulus from the Congress to support the all trade workers involved. Of course, the priority right now must be on the short-term problems such as testing, obtaining more ventilators & beds and responding to needs of anyone impacted by the virus. Let us see what the neat future holds for us. 

An infographic showing the impact of the virus on business organizations (Image Credits: PWC)

Maryland Purple Line

Maryland Purple Line

With so much focus on combating the fossil fuel industry and creating transit modes running on renewable energy, the Maryland Purple Line is an interesting project. A 16-mile light rail line extending from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George's County, the Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. The most interesting feature is that the line will be powered by the catenary system.

There are many advantages to this metro system: “it is estimated to take 17,000 cars off of the road daily, saving 1 million gallons of gas within 20 years” (Purplelinemd). The system would be run on electricity, so no air emissions. There are lot of in-built incentives for pedestrians and bicyclists. There is also a lot of emphasis on reducing noise pollution. On the whole, this is a very exciting rail project for mass transit enthusiasts.

A picture of the proposed rail network (Image Credits: Biz Journals)

Cuomo Bridge

Cuomo Bridge

The Cuomo Bridge is a twin cable-stayed bridge spanning the Hudson River between Tarrytown and Nyack in the U.S. state of New York. Built to replace the original Tappan Zee Bridge, the new bridge's north span carries the northbound and westbound automobile traffic of the New York State Thruway, I-87)and I-287; it will also carry a shared-use path for bicycles and pedestrians. The south span carries southbound and eastbound automobile traffic. The project is expected to cost around $4 billion. This project was built using the design-build method.

Why is this project required? “Bridge traffic grew to about 140,000 vehicles per day in 2016, far more than the Tappan Zee was intended to carry” (New NY Bridge). It is not rocket science to know that the heavy traffic has caused many accidents. There were also minimum lanes to respond to emergency services. With millions of dollars spent to maintain the structure, there was a need to retire the old bridge. The new bridge meant less congestion, with space given to both bicyclists and pedestrians. Thus, the Cuomo Bridge was built.

A picture of the bridge (Image Credits: HDR)

I-70 Mountain Corridor

I-70 Mountain Corridor

The I-70 Mountain Corridor will be a 144-mile route through Colorado’s mountains, on the existing I-70 highway. Its goals are to improve accessibility and mobility and decrease congestion along the corridor.

This is a very important project to take care now itself as it is the main access point to Colorado’s high-elevation recreation areas which also generates over 12 percent of the state’s $19.1 billion in revenue in 2015. The main problem is that the CDOT estimates that the I-70 travel times will triple or quadruple by 2035. According to a study done that year by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, it is expected to lose more than $800 million every year.

“The long-term vision for the 144-mile route on I-70 through Colorado’s mountains includes a broad program of transit, highway, safety, and other improvements. Implementing planned improvements will increase capacity, improve accessibility and mobility, and decrease congestion along the corridor. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, approved in 2011, provides background to how the solution was developed, details the improvements, and provides a framework for implementation of specific projects in the Corridor as funding allows. This decision is referred to as the Tier 1 decision” (CODOT).

The project is going to cost $3.5 billion. It is still in planning stages.

A picture of the proposed project (Image Credits: CoDOT)

Puget Sound Gateway

Puget Sound Gateway

Washington state’s project will expand highways to relieve traffic and congestion between Seattle and Tacoma. It is also expected to increase the ease and efficiency of the transport of commercial goods along the routes and to the ports and solve the ‘last-mile’ problem. WSDOT also claims the project would reduce congestion through the region The project is expected to cost $2.8 billion. At present, it is “in planning” stage. “The majority ($1.57 billion) comes from the Connecting Washington Revenue Package, tolling revenue is expected to be $180 million, and local contributions will be $130 million. PSRC has provided $8 million in regionally managed federal funds to Gateway-related projects” (PSRC.org). Other major stakeholders in this project include the Port of Seattle, the Port of Tacoma, and several local jurisdictions.

A picture of the proposed project (Image Credits: WSDOT)