ACEC/CT Update

Jerusalem May Go by Bus

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat may cancel the remainder of the city's light rail project in favor of bus rapid transit (BRT). Barkat said BRT is "a fifth of the price and much easier to deploy." Read Jerusalem Post article.

Plan to Tunnel under NY Harbor for Freight Rail

A plan to design and build a new tunnel under New York harbor for freight rail is gathering momentum. The plan would take thousands of trucks off the highways which would otherwise travel through the city to New England and Long Island. There are still considerable obstacles to be overcome, but it would fit into the state's plan to move trucks off the highway and onto rail. Click here for Stamford Advocate story.

Robot Wars

High school kids gather for huge event in Hartford and think engineering is cool.

Click here for video.

 

ACEC/CT Testifies Against Two Bills

ACEC/CT Executive Director Paul Brady testified yesterday against two bills before the General Assembly's Government Administration and Elections Committee.

HB 5373 would allow state agencies, municipalities and school boards to use reverse auctions to procure all services. (They are already allowed to use this method for procuring goods.) We oppose this bill because it conflicts with the Qualifications-Based Selection methodology for selecting the most qualified design professional and then negotiating a scope of work and a fair fee. Also testifying against the bill were CCIA and the Connecticut Bar Association.

HB 6690 would require Professional Engineers who represent clients before municipal land use boards or municipal employees to register with the state as lobbyists. We suggested that PEs be exempt because they are already licensed by the state.

Links to copies of our testimony can be found in the column at right.

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CBO Report on Congestion Pricing

The Congressional Budget Office has issued a sort an concise report on the issue of congestion pricing. (Click here.) The report concludes that the overall benefits of the policy outweigh the costs in most cases, "Congestion pricing offers a number of benefits, including reduced congestion, shorter travel times, more reliable travel times, and more efficient investment in infrastructure. Indirect benefits, such as reduced fuel consumption and reduced pollution, are much smaller."

Survive and Thrive in a Slow Economy

Terri Casey, noted marketing expert in the design and construction industry, has a great article in the March, 2009 edition of CENews, "Survive and thrive in a slow economy: Eight ideas to help your firm remain healthy during lean times and emerge stronger when business recovers." Recommended reading.

Dialog Starts on Tolls

The Transportation Strategy Board will seek public comment on the controversial study of tolls in Connecticut. I think the Board is right in placing this study into a broader discussion about funding Connecticut's transportation systems and realistic evaluations about the volume and capacities of the various highways. Read Stamford Advocate story.

"Shovel Ready" Painfully Slow

This Wall Street Journal article demonstrates that "shovel ready" can take time before the project actually starts construction. The wait can be painfully slow.

DEP Commissioner Moves Up to EPA

Connecticut DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy has been tapped by President Obama to head the Environmental Protection Administration's assistant administrator for air and radiation. Included in her portfolio will be climate change. Commissioner McCarthy's experience with the northeast regional greenhouse gas initiative.