Mar 31:
Concrete! Examining the state of the art in one civilization’s most useful and ubiquitous materials, including using coal ash in the mix and even a plan for carbon negative cement. (NY Times - Science)
The US DOT announces a new vehicle mileage standard for 2011: 27.3 mpg, up about 2 mpg from 2020. (Consumer Affairs)
A great interview with John Norquist of the Congress for a New Ubanism on how to reclaim America’s streets. (Streetsblog)
NYC will get $261 million in stimulus funds to rehab the Brooklyn Bridge, install new car ramps for a Staten Island ferry terminal and repair 15 other local bridges. (Daily News)
Boulder’s smart grid is shaping up, with 14,000 smart meters installed 100 miles of fiber optic cable strung over power lines. (AP)
The Government Accountability Office has established FraudNet — a citizen reporting service for misuse of stimulus funds. Know about some graft? Send an email to fraudnet@gao.gov. (AP)
Indonesia is looking at a $6 billion 410-mile high speed rail line between the cities of Jakarta and Surbaya. (Antara News)
Mar 30:
- Bids from construction contractors on stimulus projects are coming in well below estimates. “Boy, it’s a great time to be putting projects out,” says one state transportation spokeman. (NYT)
- The AP surveys America’s high speed rail ambitions and finds reason to be dubious.
According to Ray LaHood (who should know), upgrading the air traffic control network–from radar to a GPS-based “NextGen” system–is the top priority for the FAA. (WSJ) - Rep. Boucher of Virginia might try to get money for a “steel interstate” system parallel to I-81, allowing freight to travel by rail instead of truck. (The Hook)
- Freight rail volumes have continued to plunge – now down 15 percent against the comparable period last year. (American Association of Railroads)
- In more and more cities, a house is no longer even worth the cost of repossessing it. (NYT)
- Rebutting the argument that migrating to wind energy will push up electricity prices. (Daily Kos)
- A giant seven-highway reconstruction project in Dallas proceeds despite the fact that the state DOT doesn’t have enough money to pay for it. (Ft Worth Star Telegram)
- Because sections of Broadway in NYC are being turned into pedestrian mall this spring, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will have to be re-routed – possibly down Sixth Ave. (NY1)
