Latest news with #bridges
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Dorset council approves £6m investment for Poole lifting bridges
A council cabinet has recommended a £6m investment into the long-term life and reliability of two Dorset Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council backed the money for Poole Bridge and the Twin Sails, both in Poole, calling them "vital" to daily authority said the recommended improvements would "increase the life of critical components and reduce the need for unplanned repairs".A final decision on the funding will be taken at the full council meeting on 22 July. The council said work at Poole Bridge would address corrosion taken place over many years and protect against it in the future. Both Poole Bridge and the Twin Sails have been closed multiple times over technical Twin Sails, which connects the town centre with Hamworthy, would benefit from changes to the design of the lifting mechanism, and regular maintenance would "likely continue into the future without the proposed improvements".Four new digital information panels would also be installed on an upgraded funding allocation comes entirely from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), so the improvements would not be funded by council on the bridges would be expected over the next three holder for climate response, environment and energy Andy Hadley said the recommendations demonstrated commitment to "the thousands of people who use the bridges on a daily basis – whether motorists, pedestrians, wheelers, by bus or on the water". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mass. Gov. Healey touts nearly $3B ‘Swiss Army knife' disaster preparedness bond plan
Massachusetts could pump billions of dollars into climate resilience improvements, land conservation efforts, clean water and more under a policy-heavy borrowing bill Gov. Maura Healey unveiled Tuesday in Braintree. Flanked by local officials and environmental activists who praised the measure's wide scope, Healey rolled out a more than $2.9 billion environmental bond bill packed with reforms she and her deputies said would touch topics ranging from wildfires to flooding impacts on home insurance to dams and culverts. Highlights of the 51-page bill include funding for upgrades to Department of Conservation and Recreation properties, flood control projects, clean water infrastructure and food security programs, as well as policy reforms such as streamlining environmental permitting with an eye toward speeding up housing development. Healey pitched the proposal as especially necessary at a time when President Donald Trump and Republicans who control Congress are pursuing significant spending cuts. 'We cannot count on the president or Congress to be there to make the investments that we want to see made in Massachusetts, in our communities. They're, in fact, doing the opposite, and taking away from and undermining important investments on a whole bunch of fronts,' Healey said. 'In the face of that, [it's] all the more important that we take action like the action that we're taking today.' Healey's office rolled out the bill with a detailed set of summaries, outlining its borrowing proposals and several of the most significant policy reforms it envisions. The five-year bond bill Healey proposed calls for $764 million in borrowing to fund upgrades at Department of Conservation and Recreation properties, $401 million for dams and flood control projects, $315 million for the Municipal Vulnerabilities Preparedness program, and $304.5 million for land stewardship and conservation. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said about 200 of the state's 3,000 dams are in 'poor condition,' and warned that many of the 25,000 culverts and small bridges sprinkled across Massachusetts 'are too small for the kind of rain that we are now getting.' 'This bill gives cities and towns the help they need. It removes old, unsafe dams and replaces broken culverts before disasters hit,' she said. Other major funding proposals include $505 million for clean water infrastructure and addressing contamination from PFAS, sometimes referred to as forever chemicals due to how long they take to break down, and $125 million for food security programs. The bill would also launch a 'Resilience Revolving Fund' that would provide 'low-interest loans to communities so they can invest in resilience projects that reduce risk and protect people and property,' Healey's office wrote in a summary. Healey wove some policy changes into the bill, too. Several focus on speeding up permitting involving waterways and environmental reviews, including with removal of MEPA environmental impact report requirements for some housing and natural restoration projects, according to a summary. 'The Mass Ready Act saves people money and jumpstarts housing, culvert repairs and other infrastructure projects by streamlining the permitting process,' Healey said. 'That was a charge to our team: streamline those regulations, streamline the permitting. We've got a lot to do, and we've got to get after it and get it done as quickly as possible.' Another section calls for increased disclosure of past flooding and flood risk to homebuyers. Steve Long, director of policy and partnerships for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, called the wide-ranging bill 'the whole package.' 'This bond [bill] provides the most holistic approach I've seen across four environmental bonds that I've lobbied on since 2008,' he said. 'It's like a Swiss Army knife that provides multifaceted funding and policy solutions. Mass Ready funding will provide a return on investment that will boost climate resilience by restoring natural systems to reduce heat, prevent flooding and cut community costs.' Beacon Hill typically approves an environmental bond bill once every several years to authorize state borrowing for near-term projects. Gov. Charlie Baker signed the prior iteration, a $2.4 billion package, in 2018. However, like other bond bills, not all of the approved dollars actually get deployed because the state faces a lower cap on annual borrowing. The most recent state capital investment plan for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 lists a five-year bond cap of $1.26 billion for energy and environmental affairs. Mass. AG Campbell sues Trump over obscure rule used to withhold federal funding to states Gov. Healey taps Lexington venture capitalist as new economic development chief Trump to strip protections from millions of acres of national forests. Here's how UMass study: Male TV 'talking heads' constantly interrupt female experts For the MAGA faithful, Trump's Iran strikes are all about 'America first' Read the original article on MassLive.
The Herald
08-07-2025
- Climate
- The Herald
Black ice is the cause of many road accidents every winter
'You should particularly watch out for black ice on bridges and overpasses [they freeze first], shaded or low-lying areas, early morning or evening drives and after light rain followed by freezing temperatures. 'You might notice the road looks wet but there's no spray from other tyres — that's often a clue. If there's frost on your windscreen, chances are the road could also be icy.' Ranft advised motorists who suspect black ice on the road to slow down and drive with caution, avoid sudden steering or hard braking, leave a greater following distance, keep their headlights on for better visibility and never use cruise control in icy conditions. 'Your tyres and brakes are your first line of defence. If your tyres are worn or underinflated or your brake system isn't functioning optimally, you're much more vulnerable. Safety doesn't come from luck — it comes from preparation.' Winter safety checks typically include inspecting tyre tread and pressure, checking brake pads, discs and the ABS system, assessing the condition of the battery, wiper blades and fluids and ensuring all lights are functioning properly. 'These small checks can make a big difference. Black ice doesn't give second chances. Let's stay safe out there,' said Ranft. TimesLIVE
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
R.I. Turnpike & Bridge Authority to pay $515K for State Police patrols over three years
A member of the Rhode Island State Police is shown at the start of the Newport St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15, 2025. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) Rhode Island State Police will continue 24/7 patrols of the four bridges owned by the Rhode Island Turnpike & Bridge Authority (RITBA) for another three years, according to an agreement reached between the two agencies in mid-June. The memorandum of understanding calls for RITBA to pay the base salaries of two troopers through the end of June 2028 to assist with speed enforcement, potential vehicle collisions, and preventing deaths by suicide. Under the new contract, the authority will pay about $515,000 to the State Police, with payments scheduled on a quarterly basis over the three-year period. A similar agreement was first reached by the RITBA and the State Police in 2021, though a copy was not immediately made available. At the time, the Newport Daily News reported that a speed study by RITBA found 29% of drivers were traveling at least 15 miles per hour over the limit on the Pell and Jamestown Verrazzano bridges. Then–State Police Superintendent Col. James Manni told RITBA's board in October 2021 that 'a gray cruiser is the biggest deterrent we have in the state right now,' according to the meeting minutes. How much RITBA will pay the Rhode Island State Police Year 1 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026): $165,417 Year 2 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027): $172,034 Year 3 (July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028): $177,195 The amount is equivalent to the salaries of two 'less senior' officers who will be assigned to posts covering the Pell, Mount Hope, Jamestown Verrazzano, and Sakonnet River bridges — along with Route 138 through Jamestown and the 10 smaller bridges associated with the state highway. State Police will determine which troopers are assigned to patrol RITBA bridges, with day-to-day rotations likely. Only one trooper will be assigned to the bridges at a time per shift. One trooper is scheduled to patrol the bridges from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., while the other works from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., said Lt. Col. Robert Creamer, the State Police deputy superintendent and chief of field operations. In addition to 24-hour patrols, State Police enforce weight restrictions on the Mount Hope and Pell bridges at least bi-weekly. The Pell Bridge, which was constructed in 1969, has a weight limit of 80,000 pounds, but vehicles weighing up to 160,000 pounds can cross if they are given a permit. No vehicles over 60,000 pounds are allowed to cross the Mount Hope Bridge, which was built in 1929. Under the new contract, RITBA may provide office space for troopers if available. The closest State Police facility to the authority's Jamestown office near the Pell Bridge is the Wickford Barracks in North Kingstown. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: A common basic military training can bind us together
I am an NSman serving in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Basic Military Training (BMT) is a short but defining period of national service that brings all strata of society together. I would argue that it is a better social leveller than education because it bridges the gaps where varying academic abilities can divide. Currently, close to 90 per cent of NS-eligible men are enlisted into the SAF. The remaining 10 per cent are streamed directly to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) or the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Each has its own basic training that our young people go through upon enlistment. I propose designing a common BMT experience for all enlistees after which they can be streamed to the different security agencies. This could serve as a cord that binds citizens together so that everyone can identify with the basic tenets of Singapore's front line as we confront the uncertain future together. It can also forge camaraderie and will be a conversation starter for classmates, colleagues and clients, for years to come. Such a move could also strengthen family ties where a shared experience allows the joys and struggles of the father to be lived vicariously through the son. As we celebrate SG60 in turbulent times, I am reminded that national defence will continue to be the bedrock of our success. I believe that a common BMT that is thoughtfully designed has the potential to bring people together and affirm the dignity and value of every Singaporean. Ho Han Kiat
