DOT 121-10
Monday, June 21, 2010

News Digest

Secretary LaHood Awards $6 Million To Ease Truck Parking Shortages on U.S. Interstates.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood awarded $6 million to help address the parking shortage for commercial trucks on five U.S. interstates: I-15 in Utah, I-10 in Mississippi, I-5 in Oregon, I-40 in Tennessee and I-81 in Pennsylvania. The funds will be used to add parking capacity and continue to develop innovative ways to provide updated information on space availability to commercial truck drivers along these heavily traveled freight corridors. For more information on the program, see https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/factsheets/truckpark.htm Contact Nancy Singer: (202) 366-0660.

FHWA Announces $9.4 Million for Historic Bridges.

The Federal Highway Administration today announced more than $9.4 million in grants under the National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program to rehabilitate and preserve 14 bridges in 10 states. The selection included the Blair Covered Bridge in Grafton County, New Hampshire, which exemplifies one of the earliest examples of "pre-stressing"-a construction technique which allows a bridge to carry a greater load or span a greater distance--and the Layng Covered Bridge, one of the oldest covered bridges in Lane County, Oregon. FHWA will also research ways to improve load testing and treatment for preserving and restoring historic bridges. Historic covered bridges are a unique and vital component of the nation's structural engineering history as well as a great representation of artistry and workmanship. Bridges must be eligible under the National Register of Historic Places to receive funding. A list of the grants awarded can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/covered.cfm. For more information, contact Nancy Singer at 202-366-0660.

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