Federal highway and transit programs have been operating under a series of short-term extensions since the current law, SAFETEA-LU, expired in September 2009. This has created tremendous uncertainty for state departments of transportation and businesses that rely on the transportation system. To compound the problem, Highway Trust Fund revenues are insufficient to support existing funding levels. Projections show a $75 billion gap between current revenue and inflation-adjusted spending over the next 6 years.
Failure to enact a new long-term transportation bill has prolonged the underinvestment and uncertainty that are preventing states and local governments from pursuing vitally necessary improvement projects. Without a six-year bill that guarantees annual funding commitments, transportation planners will continue to cut back, delay or cancel projects that will improve safety, reduce congestion and preserve critical assets.
ACEC Members are strongly encouraged to contact their Members of Congress and Senators to make passage of a full six-year transportation bill a priority this year.
Client Expectations of Perfection — The ACEC Risk Management Committee's latest paper on the disturbing trend towards client expectations of perfection in engineering services, and what ACEC and its members can do about the problem.
Cost Recovery Policy Issues for Departments of Transportation — This draft document has been developed to guide engineering firms in their deliberations with state DOTs and the FHWA. It lists the key elements that should be considered in the formation of a fair cost recovery policy.
ACEC Risk Management Webpage
