USDOT Sec. Elaine Chao Resigns over Capitol Hill Riot ( AASHTO Journal)

How will Pete Buttigieg sell Congress on infrastructure? ( E&E News)

How Merrick Garland could figure into Biden’s climate plans as attorney general ( Grist)

Congress authorizes water infrastructure projects ( Agrinews)

Breaking Down State DOT COVID-19 Relief Funding ( AASHTO Journal)

New York car ownership jumps nearly 40% as pandemic creates mass transit worries ( CNET)

Transit agencies join forces to promote mask usage ( Mass Transit)

Requiem for the Super Commuter (CityLab)

AASHTO Comments on NEPA Revisions, Highway Design Standards ( AASHTO Journal)

Federal pilot to allow some projects to avoid NEPA ( Progressive Railroading)

Rail shippers give policy wish list for 2021 ( FreightWaves)

Sustainability director retires as two major projects near completion ( Park Record)

Slow Streets Disrupted City Planning. What Comes Next? ( CityLab)

The South’s communication infrastructure can’t withstand climate change ( Southerly)

National Security Implications of Deferred Maintenance in Infrastructure ( Lawfare)

Multibillion-Dollar Transportation Program Will Create America’s Most Connected Urban Center In National Landing ( National Landing Business Improvement District (Press release))

Can a future ban on gas-powered cars work? An economist explains ( The Conversation)

EPA decision on National Ambient Air Quality Standards praised by business group ( Pennsylvania Business Report)

Modern Mobility: Regional Bodies Can Have a Big Impact ( ARLnow (Opinion))

Maine Board Adds New Environmental Justice Standard ( AP)

From the Left: M-CORES options for new highways threaten another environmental debacle (Daily Commercial (Opinion))

Why the American West is fighting for water protections ( Vox)

Four finalists in running to claim and reuse historic Minnesota bridge ( Minnesota Public Radio)

MTA Metro-North Railroad Announces Opening of Major Segment of Empire State Trail in Putnam and Dutchess Counties ( Putnam County, NY (Press release))

ODOT Strategic Action Plan promises ‘ambitious transformation’ ( BikePortland)

Old railroad corridors near Chicago transformed into all-weather trails for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing ( Chicago Tribune)

Effort underway to make bike, pedestrian wayfinding easier across the valley ( Daily Sentinel)

Here’s Why You Can’t Judge Honolulu’s Bike-Share Program On Public Costs Alone (Honolulu Civil Beat)

Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of 750-Mile Empire State Trail (New York State (Press release))

Environmental Topics at the Virtual TRB Annual Meeting (AASHTO’s ETAP Podcast)

TRB Webinar: Driving Toward the Truth – Dispelling the Myths About Cannabis Products (TRB)

TRB Webinar: A Two-Way Ticket – Collaborative Planning Among Airports and Public Agencies ( TRB)

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Research Topics for Upcoming Small Business Innovation Research Program Solicitation ( USDOT (Press release))

Revisions to Civil Penalty Amounts ( Office of the Secretary, FAA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FRA, Maritime Administration, NHTSA, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (Final rule) )

Pipeline Safety: Gas Pipeline Regulatory Reform ( Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (Final rule; withdrawal of enforcement discretion)

Guidance on the Preparation of Clean Air Act Section 179B Demonstrations for Nonattainment Areas Affected by International Transport of Emissions ( – EPA (Notice of availability)pp)

Official Release of the MOVES3 Motor Vehicle Emissions Model for SIPs and Transportation Conformity (EPA (Notice of availability)pp)

Strengthening Transparency in Pivotal Science Underlying Significant Regulatory Actions and Influential Scientific Information ( EPA (Final rule)

Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA); Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) ( FEMA (30Day notice and request for comments))

Updated: State DOTs Net $10B in Aid from COVID-19 Relief Legislation ( AASHTO Journal)

The Biden Environment Team and a Government-Wide Approach to Sustainability ( Earth InstituteColumbia University )

The pendulum is the pits: Can the United States make enduring regulations? ( Brookings Institution )

AAPA: U.S. Ports fare well in Congressional Year-End Legislation ( Dredging Today)

How local waste and recycling leaders are grappling with coronavirus-driven budget pressures ( Waste Dive)

Biden CEQ pick signals NEPA changes (E&E News)

Transition Thoughts: The Presidential Transition, NEPA, and Project Review ( National Law Review )

Seven-year King of Prussia rail delay shows folly of modern environmental laws ( Philadelphia Inquirer (Opinion))

Virginia DOT Launches Second Major Anti-Litter Initiative ( AASHTO Journal )

Extra scrutiny sought for warehouse at Grand Island Amazon site ( Buffalo News)

Lorain’s active transportation planning continues despite pandemic ( Morning Journal (Ohio) )

FLAP grant eyes infrastructure projects on Teton Pass (Jackson Hole News&Guide )

Regional GHG Reduction Consortium Takes Shape ( AASHTO Journal)

Colorado air quality regulators update plan to lower ozone levels and align with EPA standards ( Colorado Sun)

Biden links climate change, jobs and environmental justice ( Successful Farming )

Landmark Climate Policy Faces Growing Claims of Environmental Racism ( Pew)

Charles River Tributary in Boston Gets D- for Water Quality in New Report Card ( WBTS-TV)

Thousands of bats live in this Sacramento freeway. How Caltrans is ‘evicting’ them ( Sacramento Bee)

Looking back on Minnesota and Washington State DOTs’ inaugural artists-in-residence ( Transportation for America )

President-Elect Biden Expected To Act To Reverse President Trump’s Public Lands Impacts ( National Parks Traveler)

What Does Pete Buttigieg’s Nomination as Transportation Secretary Mean for Cyclists? ( Bicycling )

Opinions sought for state Active Transportation Plan (Hays Post )

State active transportation plan is rolling: Washingtonians invited to comment by Feb. 15 ( WSDOT (Press release))

TRB Webinar: People Movers and Shakers-Quality of Life in Airport Communities ( TRB )

2021 Conference on Sustainability and Emerging Transportation Technology ( TRB )

TRB Webinar: A Two-Way Ticket – Collaborative Planning Among Airports and Public Agencies ( TRB )

How We Move Matters: Exploring the Connections between New Transportation and Mobility Options and Environmental Health– Abstracts due April 15, 2021 ( TRB (Call for Presentations) )

Characteristics and Elements of Nonpunitive Employee Safety Reporting Systems for Public Transportation ( – TCRP )

Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations in a COVID-19 Environment (ACRP)

Oregon DOT Hiring an Environmental Project Manager ( Oregon DOT)

Program for Eliminating Duplication of Environmental Review ( – FHWA/FRA/FTA (Final rule) )

National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Revision (FHWA (Proposed rule; notice of proposed amendments; correction) )

Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program; Arizona Department of Transportation Draft FHWA Audit Report ( FHWA (Notice; Request for comment) )

Hours of Service of Drivers: Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association; Application for Exemption ( Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Notice of final disposition; grant of exemption) )

Hazardous Materials: Miscellaneous Amendments Pertaining to DOT- Specification Cylinders ( Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (Final rule))

Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act; Correction ( EPA (Final rule; correction) )

Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment ( EPA (Final rule))

Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process ( EPA (Final rule))

Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Reconsideration of Beneficial Use Criteria and Piles; Notification of Data Availability ( EPA (Proposed rule; notice of data availability; request for comment) )

EPA’s Approval of Florida’s Clean Water Act Section 404 Assumption Request (EPA (Notice))

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ice Roads and Ice Trails Construction and Maintenance Activities on Alaska’s North Slope ( NOAA (Final rule; notification of issuance of Letters of Authorization) )

Financial Support for Transmission and Distribution Lines To Pump Stations 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 in Connection With the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline ( Rural Utilities Service (Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision))

AASHTO Comments on the Nomination of Pete Buttigieg as U.S. Transportation Secretary (AASHTO (News release) )

Department of Energy Announces $128 Million for Sustainable Transportation Research (AASHTO Journal )

Buttigieg would bring his agenda and Biden’s to Department of Transportation (Roll Call )

Historic Picks for EPA, Interior Complete Biden Climate Team (Scientific American )

Passing Infrastructure Policies in New Congress (Transport Topics )

FTA Awards $6.2MM in TOD Grants (Railway Age )

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces $544.3 Million in Federal Funding Allocations for Seven Transit Infrastructure Projects (USDOT (Press release))

The future of airport design after COVID-19 (Construction Specifier )

SEPTA and Drexel team up to stop the spread of COVID-19 on public transit (WHYY )

Imagine How COVID-19 Could Reshape Mobility for People Who Rely on Transit (Mass Transit )

The ‘Highway Boondoggles’ That the Pandemic Hasn’t Killed (CityLab)

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Additional Administrative Relief for Transit Agencies During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (FTA (Press release))

Over 100 Vermont organizations support Transportation & Climate Initiative (Vermont Business Magazine )

Transportation leaders discuss need for more infrastructure funding to spur economic growth (Northern Kentucky Tribune )

U.S. Department of Transportation Launches New Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program (USDOT (Press release) )

Biden Must Look to Cities and Embrace ‘Resilience’ in His Climate Strategy (US News and World Report (Commentary))

50 years in, the Clean Air Act’s societal benefits still outweigh costs 10 to 1, research finds (University of California)

ADOT: 2020 brings first-of-its-kind dust detection and warning project (KVOATV )

Getting U.S. to Zero Carbon Will Take a $2.5 Trillion Investment by 2030 (Bloomberg Green )

Mass., other states near historic agreement to curb transportation emissions (Boston Globe )

Report outlines solutions for curbing U.S. carbon emissions (University of Colorado Boulder)

Environmental justice groups see ally in Biden’s EPA nominee (E&E News)

The Largest Wildlife Bridge in the U.S. Opens in San Antonio (Route Fifty)

Targeting U.S. wetland restoration could make cleaning up water much cheaper (Science)

Caltrans Uses New Tree Removal Technology – Safer, Faster and Efficient (Caltrans (News release))

New Report Highlights History of Clashes Between Civil Rights and Historic Preservation in Alexandria (ALXnow)

KDOT kicks off first Active Transportation Plan in 25 years (Kansas DOT (Press release))

Philadelphia installs the first in-street bicycle counters in the region (City of Philadelphia )

Abandoned South Austin railroad on track to become city’s newest urban trail (CutureMap Austin )

New pedestrian, bike trail to open Tuesday in Moline (KWQCTV )

Ocean City aims to get bicycles off dangerous Coastal Highway (WTOP Radio )

A new app is geared for e-scooter riders (WDVMTV )

Active rail lines pose new challenges for Atlanta Beltline northside trail routes (Atlanta Business Chronicle )

Hickory adopts plan for bike, pedestrian improvements (Hickory Daily Record)

Improving the Health and Safety of Transit Workers with Corresponding Impacts on the Bottom Line (TCRP )

Advanced Ground Vehicle Technologies for Airside Operations (ACRP)

Updated Survey of Laws and Regulations Applicable to Airport Commercial Ground Transportation (ACRP)

Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway Projects in Texas (FHWA (Notice of Limitation on Claims for Judicial Review of Actions by TxDOT and Federal Agencies) )

Hazardous Materials: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (Final rule) )

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Long Beach Cruise Terminal Improvement Project in the Port of Long Beach, California (NOAA (Notice; issuance of incidental harassment authorization))

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental To Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Washington State Department of Transportation Purdy Bridge Rehabilitation Project, Pierce County, WA (NOAA (Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request for comments on proposed authorization and possible renewal))

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat (Fish and Wildlife Service (Final rule) )

Reauthorization of Permits, Maintenance, and Vegetation Management on Western Area Power Administration Transmission Lines on National Forest System Lands, Colorado, Nebraska, and Utah (DOE/ EIS–0442) (Western Area Power Administration (Record of decision))

Congress Passes One-Week Extension of CR ( AASHTO Journal)

Report urges Congress to reform surface transportation funding ( Transportation Today )

Final WRDA package leaves clean water out (WaterWorld )

Transit systems nationally – including UTA – beg Congress for emergency pandemic aid (Salt Lake Tribune )

The Emergency Funding Ideas That Could Help Keep Transit Alive (CityLab )

EPA Announces $17.7 Million in Grants to Support Water Systems Rural and Small Communities ( EPA (Press release))

FedEx, UPS to ‘split country into two’ for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, UPS exec says (USA Today )

‘Very High Risk’: Longshoremen Want Protection From the Virus So They Can Stay on the Job ( New York Times)

How Disasters Can Spur Resiliency in the Gulf ( National Academies )

Congress Eyes Support for Busy Ports ( Transport Topics )

Nashville mayor proposes $1.6 billion transportation plan ( WKRN-TV )

Benefits of Ports-to-Plains hailed ( Amarillo Globe-News )

International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure Celebrates Growth in First Year ( American Society of Civil Engineers (Press release))

Trucking Takes Initial Steps Toward a Zero-Emission Future (Transport Topics)

Xavier Becerra Brings Environmental Justice to Forefront ( New York Times )

Biden can’t move the needle on environmental justice without these 2 things ( Vox )

Growing Opposition To Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) From Environmental & Social Justice Groups In New Jersey And Nationally ( Insider NJ (Press release))

How one city plans to recover from losing most of its trees ( National Geographic )

The North Carolina hog industry’s answer to pollution: a $500m pipeline project ( The Guardian )

Senate passes priority bill improving water quality, sustainability ( Sentine-lTribune )

Eroding coast paves the way for ‘managed retreat’ ( Los Angeles Times (Link to video))

To Rethink the School Run, Get Rid of the Cars ( CityLab )

Area universities, Texas Research Alliance to provide innovative transportation assistance ( Blue Ribbon News )

Research recommends additional support for innovative shared-mobility services in Minnesota (University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies )

DelDOT Launches Report a Pedestrian Issue Feature on Website & App ( DelDOT (Press release) )

MnDOT invites public comment on first Statewide Pedestrian System Plan ( MnDOT (Press release))

Permissible Uses of Airport Property and Revenue ( TRB )

Protecting Wildlife Habitat is a Robust Slice of Transportation Planning (TRB)

Register for UC ITS and TRB Webinar on COVID-19, Transit, and Shared Mobility ( TRB (Webinar))

Pedestrian Resources to Help Talk the Walk ( TRB)

National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Revision ( FHWA (Proposed rule; notice of proposed amendments) )

Environmental Impact Statement: Collin County, Texas ( FHWA (Federal notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement) )

Adoption of the Federal Highway Administration’s Nationwide Section 4(f) Net Benefit and Historic Bridges Programmatic Evaluations ( FRA and FTA (Notice))

State Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Action Plans ( FRA (Final rule) )

Applying the Supreme Court’s County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund Decision in the Clean Water Act Section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program ( EPA (Notice of availability of draft guidance and request for comment) )

Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of CCR; A Holistic Approach to Closure Part B: Alternate Demonstration for Unlined Surface Impoundments; Correction ( EPA (Final rule; correction) )

Hazardous and Solid Waste Management System: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals From Electric Utilities; Legacy CCR Surface Impoundments; Extension of Comment Period (EPA (Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period) )

Air Plan Approval; Pennsylvania; Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Under the 2008 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (EPA (Final rule) )

Criminal Negligence Standard for State Clean Water Act 402 and 404 Programs ( EPA (Proposed rule) )

Technical Mapping Advisory Council; Meeting (FEMA (Committee Management; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting))

Biden shortlist for White House key environmental post shows focus on environmental justice (Reuters )

Biden Administration has many hurdles to leap in addressing surface transportation infrastructure ( Logistics Management )

Lawmakers request new GAO studies on pandemic’s effect on the aviation industry (Washington Post)

Lawmakers Want Data to Decide the Future of America’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure ( Nextgov )

Former DOT chief to potential Biden picks: Beware of agency turf wars ( FreightWaves)

VTrans’ $600,000 Covid sign blitz targets travel to and from state ( VTDigger )

WYDOT praises federal emergency declaration extension as COVID pandemic persists ( Oil City News )

Austin’s mobility challenges analyzed during and after Covid-19 ( Austin Business Journal )

The Pandemic Took $750 Million From VA’s Transportation Budget. Here’s What Happens Now. ( Dogwood )

COVID May Impact NH’s Ability to Plow Roads, Official Says ( NECN)

FHWA reveals updated Jason’s Law truck parking survey ( Land Line )

First U.S. Offshore Wind Tower Factory Proposed For Port Of Albany (WAMC Radio)

Electric Cargo Bikes Are Debuting in City Fleets ( Route Fifty )

Sound Transit light rail trains are now running on clean energy ( Sound Transit (Press release))

Congress should prioritize infrastructure investment (Crain’s Chicago Business (Op-ed))

Oil Refineries See Profit in Turning Kitchen Grease Into Diesel (New York Times )

Transit Expert Calls The MBTA’s $89M Plan For New Silver Line Buses ‘Greenwashing’ ( WBUR Radio)

Environmental Justice Crusader Eyed for White House Council ( The Quint)

Virginia to hire its first environmental justice director ( Bay Journal News Service )

Facing a funding crisis, Caltrain doubled down on racial and social equity, and it worked ( Architect’s Newspaper (Op-ed) )

Leaving a social legacy from infrastructure (Infrastructure Intelligence (Commentary))

TRPA starts work to remove invasive plants in Taylor, Tallac creeks ( Tahoe Daily Tribune)

Mitigation “bank” near Greeley will offset wetland damage, meet Clean Water Act rules ( Colorado Sun )

EPA awards $187,000 to Pennsylvania to support wetlands restoration ( Daily American )

Clean water projects highlighted in national ‘green infrastructure’ report ( VTDigger)

43rd Street Pedestrian Bridge Over Lake Shore Drive To Be Replaced With Accessible Overpass ( Block Club Chicago )

RTD partners with Lyft in mobile ticketing app ( Denver Post )

Honolulu bikeshare program lost city about $460K in 2019 ( AP )

Implementation requires money where our mouth is (Bozeman Daily Chronicle (Opinion))

Updated Survey of Laws and Regulations Applicable to Airport Commercial Ground Transportation ( ACRP )

Improving Health Care through Transportation ( TCRP )

Measuring and Managing Freight System Resilience Workshop ( TRB/FHWA)

Expansion and Extension of the Modified Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 Under 49 CFR § 390.25 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Announcement) )

Proposed Consent Decree, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit ( EPA (Notice of proposed consent decree; request for public comment) )

Notice of Final Adoption of and Effective Date; Federal Environment Element, Section G of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital (National Capital Planning Commission (Notice of final adoption of and effective date) )

Canadian Pacific Railway Company – Control Exemption – Detroit River Tunnel Company ( Surface Transportation Board (Notice) )

Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program; Alaska Department of Transportation Third Audit Report ( FHWA (Notice; Request for comment))