Archive for April, 2010
NEW DBE Goal Submission Schedule
Effective March 5, 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program rules were amended to change how often recipients are required to make goal submissions documenting the methodology and process used to establish the annual overall goal to be implemented each fiscal year.
Read the Federal Register here.
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Caltrans & FHWA Want Public Input
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are seeking public input on the proposal to continue assigning to Caltrans the responsibility to conduct environmental reviews on transportation projects.
Caltrans would continue being responsible for determining if projects meet the requirements for being categorically excluded from the preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would also continue assigning to Caltrans FHWA’s responsibility for conducting environmental review, consultation, and other related activities on these excluded projects under federal environmental laws.
The Section 6004 MOU granting Caltrans its existing authority has been in place since June 7, 2007, and is set to expire on June 7, 2010. Comments must be received by May 14, 2010, and should be identified by the Federal Dockets Management System Docket Number FHWA-2010-0035.
Find out how to submit your comments by reading the entire press release here.
New Study Finds No Scientific Reason for CA to Force Contractors to Spend Billions on Existing Equipment
AGC issued a press release regarding a study construction contractor equipment:
As California Construction Employment Continues to Plummet, Study Finds that Emissions from Off-Road Diesel Equipment Are Less than 28 Percent of What State Estimated
Emissions from California’s construction and other off-road diesel equipment are less than 28 percent of what state officials have estimated, the Associated General Contractors of America announced today. As a result, the California Air Resources Board has no scientific justification for sticking to a new rule requiring construction contractors to spend billions of dollars on their existing equipment.
Continue reading the AGC Press Release.
Prop 1B Provides $50M To Widen SR 99
Caltrans today announced the completion of a $70 million project that expanded two miles of State Route 99 (SR-99) in Atwater from a four-lane expressway to a six-lane freeway. The project received nearly $50 million from Proposition 1B, the $19.9 billion transportation bond championed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and approved by voters in 2006.
“When the voters passed Proposition 1B, they wanted action and action is what they’re getting. Proposition 1B is paying for vital transportation projects all over California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger, “Investing in our infrastructure is strengthening our economy and creating jobs when we need them most.”
Nearly $5.7 billion in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated to improve California’s transportation system during the past three years.
Continue reading the Caltrans Press Release.
US Transportation Secretary Hosts National Business Summit in the Nation's Capitol
On March 24 and 25, small and disenfranchised business owners from across the country gathered in Washington, DC, to network, celebrate successes, and discuss the problems they face during these difficult economic times.
“The Road to Recovery,” a two-day summit hosted by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), provided guidance about how small businesses can compete for government contracts and awards, work more effectively with the Department of Transportation (DOT), and take advantage of existing business development programs.
“America’s economic recovery depends in large measure on having healthy, vibrant small businesses to create jobs and help stabilize our communities,” said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood during his welcome remarks.
As a way of supporting these small businesses and the jobs they create, LaHood announced three efforts to improve and strengthen small business programs beyond the $1.3 billion dollars of Recovery Funds that have already been dispersed by state and local transportation agencies.
Continue reading the press release here.
DBE Bonding Assistance Program – ARRA
Program Description
This American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) program, will be administered by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), which will allow small and disadvantaged businesses to apply to be reimbursed for bonding premiums and fees incurred when competing for, or performing, transportation infrastructure projects funded by ARRA. This program will be especially helpful for businesses with traditionally less working capital than larger contractors.
Learn more about the DBE Bonding Assistance Program here.
$706M Allocated to Create Jobs, Improve State's Transportation Infrastructure
Today, Caltrans Headquarters released a statement on the$706 million the California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated to 121 projects statewide. The funding includes $479 million for 28 projects from Proposition 1B, a $19.9 billion transportation bond championed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and approved by voters in 2006. The remaining $227 million in allocations came from assorted state and federal transportation accounts.
“When California voters approved Proposition 1B they wanted action, and we are delivering that action,” said Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency Secretary Dale E. Bonner. “This funding will not only help relieve the traffic congestion that clogs our freeways – it will create jobs and help stimulate California’s economy when we need it the most.”
Nearly $5.7 billion in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated to improve California’s transportation system during the past three years.
Continue reading the press release here.
CA Receives $2.7M in Stimulus Grants to Increase Transportation Job Training
Caltrans released a statement March 31 explaining the stimulus grants that are designed to increase transportation job training.
Caltrans today announced that the state has been awarded $2.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) job training grants for eight California workforce development centers. California received more than 20 percent of the national share of the grants awarded to 19 states and two territories.
The grants, from the Federal Highway Administration’s “On the Job Training/Supportive Services” program, will fund pre-apprenticeships and training centers in California for women, minorities, veterans, and disadvantaged individuals pursuing careers in the highway construction industry.
“These grants will help to create opportunities during these tough economic times. We are providing crucial job training to people that will help lay the groundwork for jobs and drive California on the road to economic recovery,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
See grant recipients and read the rest of the press release.
