Latest news with #UnitedStatesDepartmentofTransportation
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fuel shortage impacting agriculture in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas: FMCSA
(KCAU) — A Regional Emergency Declaration and extension of emergency declarations has been issued for Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas due to fuel shortages. On Monday, the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported there are widespread fuel shortages. They claim it's impacting agricultural operations and therefore, the national food supply. The shortage could eventually threaten to human life, public safety, or public welfare. Story continues below Top Story: Iowa lawmakers issue statements marking end of 2025 legislative session Lights & Sirens: Sioux City man sentenced to 7 years in prison for child pornography Sports: Northwestern softball eliminated from NAIA Tournament with 10-2 loss to Marian Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here The declaration addresses the need for motor fuels like diesel, gasoline, and gasoline blends in those three states. The three impacted states are listed due to their agricultural role in America, and it's coming at the heels of planting season. The ability to get fuel where it is needed, when it is needed — especially in the face of shortages — is of utmost importance. We must have the backs of those haulers who are trying to meet those demands. The Biden Administration failed to provide this relief at the regional level. This time, leaders are rightly thinking of how best to make things better for impacted states. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen The declaration will last until June 30 unless it is extended. To read the full declaration, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Traffic deaths down, but are US roads safer than before?
Traffic fatalities in the U.S. decreased in 2024, with 39,345 deaths reported by the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The death toll represents a 3.8% decrease compared to the 40,901 deaths reported in 2023. This marked the first time since 2020 that the number of deaths fell below 40,000. 'It's encouraging to see that traffic fatalities are continuing to fall from their COVID pandemic highs,' NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said in the release. 'Total road fatalities, however, remain significantly higher than a decade ago, and America's traffic fatality rate remains high relative to many peer nations.' The 2024 early estimates aligned with 2023, showing Americans driving more miles while fatality rates continued to decrease, the NHTSA said. The agency found that vehicle miles traveled increased by 1% while the fatality rate for 2024 decreased to 1.20 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The 1.20 per 100 million 2024 fatality rate is the lowest it's been since 2019. However, these numbers are still above the average rate of 1.13 in the seven years before the pandemic. The NHTSA also noted that 14 states and the District of Columbia saw an increased death toll, while 35 states and Puerto Rico had decreased fatalities. Simshauser stated that in order 'to reduce fatalities further, [the United States Department of Transportation] is working closely to partner with the law enforcement community to enhance traffic enforcement on our roads, including speeding, impairment, distraction and lack of seatbelt use.' Search for missing Connecticut man aims to bring 'closure,' WMass sheriff says Casino workers rescue dog tied to train tracks in Everett Beloved New England chain restaurant unveils first-ever fast-casual concept 250 years in the making: USPS stamps honor America's military branches Inside the Springfield Creative City Collective's joy mission 12aa
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Here's why RI scientists want you to report road kill
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Collisions between vehicles and wildlife can be costly and deadly. According to the United States Department of Transportation, there are more than a million vehicle-wildlife collisions every year, which cost more than $8 billion and kill around 200 people. The Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Rhode Island (URI) is working to come up with a solution. But to do so, scientists need data. 'If we identify key hotspots for roadkill, we can advise the Rhode Island Department of Transportation on ways to increase successful wildlife crossings,' assistant professor Kathleen Carroll said in a press release. Rhode Islanders can now report animals they hit or roadkill they spot through an online survey. While the survey is anonymous, it will report respondents' GPS location with their permission. Researchers will also try to address concerns of wildlife connectivity, or how animals are able to get from place to place. Out West, some places have built wildlife bridges in areas of known migration pathways. In addition to data from the survey, Carroll's students will use camera traps to record animals' use of culverts to get around. 'We know that animals are willing to use culverts, as opposed to crossing on the road, because they don't want to be somewhere they're going to die,' Carroll explained. 'So what is it about some culverts that makes them willing to use it as opposed to others?' Graduate students will also be driving certain distances from randomly assigned starting points to collect road kill and assess the animals' species, age and sex. 'It will ensure the patterns we're seeing in the citizen science data match the pattern in the data we're collecting,' Carroll noted. The survey has already attracted attention from the New York Department of Transportation. Rhode Island will serve as a pilot of the program with the future goal of expanding to other regions. The only required question on the survey is to note whether the animal was a deer. There will also be an option to upload a photo of the animal. The survey will remain open for the foreseeable future. You can take it here. Take the Rhode Kill Survey For more information or to receive a bumper sticker with a QR code to the survey contact Carroll at Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RI nails down $220M in federal funding for Washington Bridge rebuild
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — After weeks of uncertainty over federal funding for the Washington Bridge project, Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday that Rhode Island will be getting that much-needed money. The state has signed a federal grant agreement for roughly $220 million, according to McKee. 'This agreement locks in the United States Department of Transportation funding for the project,' he said. 'With this signing, the full funding for the new Washington Bridge has been assured.' The state has already begun drawing down money, he said. McKee sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy earlier this month stressing the importance and urgency of releasing the funding. 'We are tremendously grateful to Secretary Duffy and the Trump administration for following through with this commitment to Rhode Islanders, and we want to commend Senators [Jack] Reed and [Sheldon] Whitehouse, Congressman [Seth] Magaziner, Congressman [Gabe] Amo for their successful advocacy on this matter,' McKee added. RELATED: Excavator leaks hydraulic fluid into water near Washington Bridge demolition site It remains unclear how much of the final cost of the bridge reconstruction project will be covered by the federal grants. McKee has repeatedly said the actual price tag won't be known until June, when the state announces the winning bidder selected to build the span. The expected timeline for completing the new westbound bridge also won't be known until June, the administration has said. The federal grants for the bridge were awarded by the Biden administration in its closing months last year, but the Trump administration's efforts to freeze federal funding had raised questions about whether all the money would come through. 'I appreciate Secretary Duffy's and Governor McKee's contributions to this process and will continue working with them, RIDOT, FHWA, and other transportation officials to see the project through and ensure it is done right,' said Reed, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in a statement. Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee, said he had worked with the panel's Republican chair 'to help unstick this funding' ahead of a hearing next week where Duffy is scheduled to testify. 'This relieves needless uncertainty in an urgent situation with this bridge,' he said. Ted Nesi contributed to this report. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Scott County seeks federal grant to rebuild 100-year-old bridge
A concrete slab bridge on Big Rock Road in Dixon, Iowa, has seen better days. 'The deck has concrete spalling, corrosion in the reenforcing steel, and then also the superstructure is rated in serious condition due to severe corrosion and section loss,' said Angie Kersten, a Scott County engineer. The bridge is small, 33 feet by 28 feet, but it has a big impact. According to Kersten, an estimated 1,000 vehicles crossover it each day. 'This is one of four paved roads that connects into Clinton County from Scott County, and is locally owned,' Kersten said. 'To detour this road would probably be a 30-mile detour to the next paved road into Clinton county. It's a very important route for locals to get to business.' The Big Rock Road bridge was built in 1923 and widened in 1970. However, it represents a negative trend in Iowa. 'Iowa is ranked number one in the percent of structurally deficient bridges, and the total number of structurally deficient bridges,' Kersten said. Scott County is teaming up with the Iowa County Engineers Association, Iowa Department of Transportation and over 20 counties and cities to apply for a Competitive Highway Bridge Program grant from the United States Department of Transportation. The grant would help rebuild 33 bridges across Iowa. 'We estimate the replacement of this bridge to cost about $850,000, and we are seeking a minimum of 70% funding from the federal government,' Kersten said. 'Then we will use our farm-to-market funding as the match.' Scott County has put out a survey until Feb. 28 for the public to give its thoughts on the current conditions of local bridges in the Quad Cities. To learn how you can fill out the survey, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
