| News for and about the civil engineering community
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- Port Authority promises Sept. 11 memorial by 10th anniversary
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey submitted a proposal to finish the Sept. 11 memorial complex by the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The proposal simplified the transit mezzanine below one corner of the plaza in order to finish the $610 million project by Sept. 11, 2011. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg insisted the memorial be completed in a timely manner after cost overruns and delays plagued the project. The New York Times
(9/25)
    
- Experts disagree over cost of Washington state light-rail expansion
As Washington state residents prepare to vote on Proposition 1, both sides disagree on the actual cost for expanding the Sound Transit light rail. According to Sound Transit, the 34-mile expansion will cost $22.8 billion. Transportation planner Jim MacIsaac estimates the cost of the expansion will be closer to $55.8 billion. SeattlePI.com
(9/24)
- West Point's new library showcases learning
Cadets can now study at an updated library at the celebrated military academy of West Point. Renovations to the library cost $65 million over 10 years, and included a coffee shop and lounge chairs instead of study carrels. The six-story library does lack the luxury of an elevator, however, because cadets must always take the stairs. The New York Times
(9/24)
- Sea-Tac's third runway scheduled to open in November
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will unveil a third runway in November, nearly 20 years after the idea was first proposed. The $1-billion runway was designed to allow planes to land during times of low-visibility, which can be up to 44% of the time in rain-soaked Seattle. The runway will undergo a series of test take-offs and landings before opening on Nov. 20. The Seattle Times
(9/26)
| Technology and Trends | | |
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- Geotechnology begins drilling for new St. Louis bridge
Geologists from the firm Geotechnology began drilling more than one hundred feet beneath the Mississippi River to determine the condition of the bedrock below the river floor. The drilling marks the first step in construction of a new bridge that connects St. Louis and the Metro East. Design of the $640 million bridge and connectors begins next year, with construction slated to start in early 2010. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
(9/26)
| Sustainability | | |
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- Colleges improve on sustainability grades
According to a annual survey from the Sustainable Endowments Institute, two out of three college campuses across the country improved on sustainability since last year. The institute graded 300 colleges and universities in the U.S. on factors such as food and recycling, green building and transportation. Five Ivy League schools received high marks for their green programs: Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. The Boston Globe
(9/25)
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| Policy Update | | |
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- House passes sweeping rail-safety legislation
The rail-safety bill passed by the House requires more rest for train workers and technology that can help trains avoid collisions, which were factors in the Sept. 12 crash that left 25 people dead in Los Angeles. The legislation requires railroads to install positive train control, but the industry, which supports the technology, is uncertain it will be available by the 2015 deadline set by lawmakers. Detroit Free Press/The Associated Press
(9/24)
- Texas Residential Construction Commission to be rebuilt
Lawmakers formed the Texas Residential Construction Commission five years ago to serve as a forum for homeowners and homebuilders. However, many homeowners have criticized the length of time the commission takes to look into complaints. Now, the state would like to rebuild the commission to better serve its purpose. The Dallas Morning News
(9/24)
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- New York City might tear down Tappan Zee Bridge
New York City might scrap the 53-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge in favor of building a new bridge across the Hudson River. Under the proposal, public transportation serving the bridge would also be enhanced. The Tappan Zee bridge supports daily traffic of 140,000 vehicles traveling to and from Rockland County. Forbes/The Associated Press
(9/25)
| News from ASCE | | |
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Take off at the T&DI Airfield & Pavement Conference
The T&DI Airfield & Pavement Conference, Efficient Pavements Supporting Transportation's Future, goes beyond introducing new technologies in pavement design. See them in practice by taking tours of the SEATAC Airport Runway that will include the new third runway, environmental mitigation, Central and South Terminal expansions and more. Plus, take a tour of the Future of Flight Center and see Paul Allen's museum display of old war planes. Register today so you don't miss out on these exciting tours throughout the conference, October 15 to 18 in Bellevue, Wash.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
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