In this article, you will uncover the news. The first concern is with reference to the recently announced improvement to the infrastructure. It was claimed that Springfield, Illinois will be receiving a six-year program that would cost $34.6 billion to restore the city’s failing public transit system. The program would last for six years. In the meantime, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allocates approximately $5 billion for programs that are designed to hasten the transition that is currently taking place within the construction industry toward the use of environmentally friendly building materials. These programs are designed to hasten the transition because they are intended to hasten the adoption of environmentally friendly building materials. Additionally, the Federal Transit Administration and the United States Department of Transportation will each contribute approximately $57.1 million to fund infrastructure development projects across the state of Alaska. This money will be awarded by the Federal Transit Administration. Furthermore, the most recent report from the Marin Civil Grand Jury raised concerns regarding housing and water policy that have not been addressed by our political representatives. Housing, water, and fire problems have increased the need for green infrastructure in Marin.
Illinois announces US$ 34.6bn infrastructure upgrade
Original Source: US$ 34.6bn project announced for upgrade of transport infrastructure in Illinois
A $34.6 billion, six-year effort to improve Springfield’s transit infrastructure has been announced. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s plan will upgrade highways, bridges, transportation, rail, airports, and ports. It’s funded by Rebuild Illinois and federal money.
Upgrades to I-55 and local roads in Sangamon County will cost $259.5 million. Both Springfield Democrat Doris Turner and Mayor James Langfelder favor these expenditures. IDOT says the initiative will result in 2,500 miles of road renovation or rehabilitation. Ten million square feet of bridge deck space will also be renovated.
The proposal comprises $10 billion in port, airport, rail, and transportation network improvements. Locally, I-55 will be reconstructed and widened. An estimated $124.2 million for 7.8 miles north of Sangamon Avenue and up to Williamsville. Between Illinois 104 and Horse Farm Road, I-55 will be repaved and bridges repaired for $18.5 million. The project cost is $40.4 million.
There are two projects at Illinois 97/125 and MacArthur Boulevard off I-55. The 1.5-mile stretch between Wabash and South Grand will get new traffic lights and ADA enhancements. In the $76.4 million project, a bridge replacement, a lane extension, and a pedestrian overpass will be built. Most of the money for these projects comes from Rebuild Illinois, along with federal and state funds. Rebuild Illinois will provide $33.2 billion over six years for state transportation, with the rest from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Omer Osman, Illinois’ transportation secretary, commended IIJA for helping finalize the plan and called the act the “biggest government commitment to the nation’s transportation infrastructure since the Eisenhower era.” The law boosted IDOT’s program investment by $4 billion.
The Inflation Reduction Act would increase low-carbon civil materials
Original Source: Inflation Reduction Act would boost low-carbon materials in civil projects
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes $5 billion to encourage the use of low-carbon building materials in public infrastructure projects and government-owned structures.
The $485 billion bill to address climate change and inflation passed the Senate Aug. 8 and will head to the House Friday. Its investments and tax credits aim to assist the U.S. in cutting carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, the U.N. Paris Agreement target.
Green procurement financing includes:
- $2.15 billion for GSA low-carbon materials. The GSA owns 1,500 buildings, including offices, land ports of entry, courthouses, labs, post offices, and data processing facilities.
- $2 billion for Low-Carbon Transportation Grants to pay for and stimulate FHA projects using low-carbon materials.
- Manufacturers will receive funds and technical assistance to develop and standardize environmental product declarations.
- $100 million to label low-carbon transportation and building supplies.
The measure includes $4 billion to strengthen affordable housing resiliency, including money for low-carbon materials, and permits FEMA’s Building Materials program to offer financial help for low-carbon materials and net-zero energy projects.
The EPA administrator will determine which materials qualify as low embodied carbon, based on industry averages.
The bill affects builders.
Clean energy subsidies, environmental block grants, and road funds also intrigue builders. The government estimates the plan will raise $739 billion over 10 years through corporate tax increases, IRS enforcement, and drug pricing reform.
The measure adds more money for environmental scrutiny of projects and ties construction apprenticeship standards to tax incentives for renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects. Builders were divided.
USGBA CEO Peter Templeton urged the House to support the bill, stating, “The act will have a dramatic impact on communities around the country and will be a turning point in our climate struggle.”
Other industry groups disagree.
Association of Builders and Contractors Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs Kristen Swearingen claimed the Democrats’ plan to raise taxes to fund hundreds of billions more in government spending will throw the U.S. economy into a recession.
Associated General Contractors of America opposes the legislation, stating its construction apprenticeship mandates and more financing for environmental assessment would delay projects, as would deputizing the EPA for environmental project declarations and carbon labeling.
Climate combat depends on low-carbon materials.
The Biden administration focuses on building materials since construction is polluting.
The cement sector alone is responsible for at least 8% of human-caused CO2 emissions, according to a 2021 study in Joule, and cement is the most consumed substance on the planet outside water. Experts say replacing polluting materials with low-carbon or carbon-storing alternatives is crucial to reducing CO2 emissions.
Alternatives to cement are in development, so the typical Portland mix stays viable. With new federal funds, contractors can utilize lower-carbon products at no extra cost and establish green construction knowledge.
If the bill passes the House on Friday, as Democrats hope, President Biden will sign it.
Murkowski announces $57 million in infrastructure financing for Alaska
Original Source: Murkowski announces over $57 million in additional infrastructure funding for Alaska communities
Senator Lisa Murkowski announced it Saturday.
Grants are for road construction, dock and service center building, cleaner buses, and bus facilities.
The Gulkana Village Council, City and Borough of Juneau, Metlakatla Indian Community, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough, City and Borough of Sitka, Bristol Bay Native Association, and Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska will benefit from the grants.
Juneau will receive nearly $2.2 million for capital transit facility restoration and security upgrades.
Sitka will get $7.8 million for the Marine Service Center’s design and construction.
Sitka Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz praised Senator Murkowski for her support of Sitka’s operating waterfront and help with their federal grant application to operate community cold storage for commercial fishermen.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough received $4 million for hydropower and electric buses.
Mayor Rodney Dial is excited to use their FTA grant.
“With this and our renewable hydropower, our transit department can provide silent, exhaust-free public transportation for years to come.” The environment and the community win. Senator Murkowski deserves thanks for securing this award for the community’s “Mayor Rodney Dial.”
Metlakatla will get $402,257 for electric bus service to the municipal building and ferry terminal.
Metlakatla Mayor Albert Smith commented on the grant.
“Metlakatla Indian Community would like to thank the Federal Transit Authority for awarding our project $402,257.” This award helps minimize transportation costs and air pollution in Southeast Alaska. to cut auto emissions and eliminate unnecessary car trips. It will benefit our aging population and those without transportation assistance. It will also store electricity for our micro-grid when it’s not in use, decreasing Metlakatla Indian Community transportation and energy costs. We applaud Senator Murkowski and the federal government’s “Metlakatla Mayor Albert Smith.”
Housing, water, and fire challenges spur green infrastructure in Marin
Original Source: Marin Voice: Housing, water and fire issues accelerate need for green infrastructure
The most recent Marin Civil Grand Jury highlighted housing and water policy challenges that our elected authorities haven’t addressed.
Our citizen jury said we need to create more houses and boost our water supply, but elected leaders keep delaying decisions.
Marin voters are focused on their own backyards, trying to maintain neighborhood “character” as if cities and cultures don’t evolve.
Change is needed and urgent. Marin’s actual character is protected via its greenbelts, national parks, water district areas, open space districts, and farmlands.
Our towns and communities should allow growth, accept more housing, find more water, and invest in green infrastructure. Climate change and growth will continue; we must be robust.
The Grand Jury has helped us plan for a thriving, welcoming, bright, and green future. Let’s not hope a grand jury investigates why we didn’t plan for fire years from now.
In summer-dry conditions, housing, water, and fire safety are interwoven.
Water is vital to growth now and in 50 years. Fire safety depends on it. As we understand more about fire safety, we realize we must harden our homes and hydrate our landscapes. Cities without vegetation are unlivable. Marin? Green! No desert here.
California isn’t running out of water, but cheap water, says UC Davis’ Jay Lund.
State and federal taxpayer-funded water projects have plenty of water, but 80% of it goes to farms as untreated, low-cost agriculture subsidies.
Agriculture is only 2% of our state’s income, so wouldn’t it make sense to give more water to cities to keep them green, fire-safe, and habitat-friendly?
Shouldn’t Marin County build a pipeline across the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge to provide us with farm water? Colusa County rice growers will sell us water. Long-term water planning appears easier than hoping rain will fill reservoirs.
Our water agencies require a seat at the table with other contractual water agencies and invest in the state water project, possibly obtaining an allotment from future location reservoirs.
Hydrated, well-maintained, climate-adapted vegetation is vital for fire safety and city livability. We shouldn’t penalize homeowners for promoting a healthy green infrastructure.
Imagine if our trees had enough water to drink instead of miles of pomegranates and almonds. Imagine valuing pollinator and songbird water like rice and cotton exports.
Gardens make our infrastructure green and robust, so water for gardens should be subsidized.
Yes, we may have to pay more, but maybe our cities should fund it like Big Ag does for farming. Let’s build a pipeline to state and federal reservoirs to create a fire-safe, green infrastructure with a reliable water supply.
Summary of today’s construction news
Most likely, you have learned in this article that the proposal put forth by the Illinois Department of Transportation will result in improvements to the state’s highways, bridges, transportation system, trains, airports, and ports. It is funded by Rebuild Illinois as well as money from the federal government.
Meanwhile, in order to encourage the use of low-carbon building materials in public infrastructure projects and government-owned structures, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 allocates $5 billion for that purpose. The plan to combat climate change and inflation received Senate approval on August 8 and will be brought before the House of Representatives on Friday. Its investments and tax credits are designed to assist the United States in meeting the goal of the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions by forty percent by the year 2030.
Furthermore, Mayor Rodney Dial offered his thoughts, “Because of this and the electricity that we generate from renewable sources, our public transportation system will be able to operate quietly and without emissions for many years to come.”
Moreover, those who live in Marin County are speaking out about how vitally crucial it is to have green infrastructure. Water is absolutely necessary for growth, both today and in the next 50 years. Fire safety depends on it. As our knowledge of how to prevent wildfires grows, we are coming to the conclusion that we need to make our houses more fireproof and increase the amount of water in our gardens. It is impossible to live in a city that lacks vegetation.
