ASHE Inside Lane

The EPA and you

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

How often do we hear people in the business of highways and bridges refer not simply to environmental regulations but to [colorful language] environmental regulations To a degree, working with EPA is a lot like dealing with other agencies. The two keys seem to be, first, an awareness of the regulatory process that leads to the rules that tell you what you can and cannot do, must and must not do, and, second, a willingness to be a part of it. That is, don't wait for [colorful language] environmental regulations to affect your company or your agency's work, strike first.

2013 ASHE National Conference

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

The ASHE National Conference in Lake Placid, N.Y., is approaching rapidly. The conference will be an opportunity for fellowship, an opportunity to learn about the latest developments in our profession, and just good fun.

Click here for registration materials where you will find all that you need to sign up for the conference:

Or, you may go to www.ashe.pro and click on the National Conferences tab and then click on the 2013 National Conference link to sign up online.

Note: The early-bird registration period has passed, but members and guests can still register for the conference.

See you in Lake Placid!

Problems with San Francisco Bay Bridge extend to structure's base

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

The problems with the newly constructed eastern span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge may, quite literally, go deeper than previously thought. In a recent investigation, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the bridge's iconic tower is anchored by some 400 steel bolts that may be at risk of cracking. The bolts were reportedly galvanized using a now-banned procedure.

A close look

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

OSHA is paying special attention to the construction industry, especially to companies performing work near roadways or highways where employees could be exposed to struck-by hazards. Each year, nearly 100 construction work-zone crew members are killed and more than 20,000 are injured. To combat this high accident, injury and death rate, OSHA has released Enforcement and Compliance Directive (CPL) 02-01-054, Inspection and Citation Guidance for Roadway and Highway Construction Work Zones. This is the first OSHA directive on inspection procedures in roadway and highway construction work zones.

Bridge inspection: Primary element

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

With more than 600,000 bridges in the U.S., many of them closing in on or surpassing their original 50-year design lives, the need to ensure safety is at the forefront of concern in the bridge industry.

Americans prefer tolls to fund transportation projects

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

The majority of Americans – 71 percent – would be willing to pay a higher toll fare to save time, according to the results of the America THINKS 2013 Tolling Survey from HNTB Corporation.

Vehicle-miles tax on rural drivers: Everything you believe may be wrong

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

Almost everyone believes rural drivers would be unfairly hurt if required to pay a vehicle-miles traveled tax. That tax is the number one contender for replacing or augmenting the gas tax.

North Carolina's crumbling infrastructure

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

Swings in the economy and changes in leadership have resulted in North Carolina doing little to maintain its public infrastructure, meanwhile needs grow with more than 100,000 new residents each year. The American Society of Civil Engineers will shortly release a report card of the condition of infrastructure in the state and it promises to be damning.

Snow removal at extreme temperatures

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

Clear Roads has released a report that discusses practices and innovative strategies for removing snow from highways when temperatures are lower than 10°F (-12°C).

Virginia pushes for outer beltway that critics say isn't needed

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

Virginia transportation officials are pressing ahead with plans for a major north-south highway connecting I-95 in Prince William County to Route 7 in Loudoun County, even as state transportation data shows the far greater demand for lane capacity lies on east-west routes, with the exception of Route 28 where it intersects I-66.

Daytime color appearance of retroreflective traffic control sign materials

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has released a report that describes processes used to determine physical measurements of the chromaticity and luminance of retroreflective sign materials.

PennDOT puts $50,000 into website seeking highway funding

15 May 2013 12:39:51 CDT

Pennsylvania senators recently hit the highway at the end of their May session without confronting a bill that would pour billions into road and bridge repairs and construction. By the time the Senate returns to Harrisburg in June, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hopes to have a $50,000 special website operating that will spell out exactly how the agency plans to spend $1.9 billion a year for road and bridge work as part of the push to get the legislation passed before the summer break.