New Civil Engineer’s Post

Infrastructure such as roads, water, and power isn’t just complementary to housing—it’s foundational. The prominence of civil infrastructure in the current election campaign acknowledges historic lows for housing in latest ABS Building Activity and Federal Government’s 25,000 home enabling infrastructure announcement today. ABS today highlight the urgency of this focus, with new dwelling commencements at 165,048 in the year to September 2024, a significant decline from 228,918 dwellings commenced in the same period in 2021. This stark reality underscores the importance of strategic infrastructure investment to address housing supply challenges. Civil Contractors Federation National Clare O'Neil Michael Sukkar Bridget McKenzie #KeepingitCivil #HousingEnablingInfrastructure #2025FederalElection

In July, the King announced the Government’s upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aimed at speeding up the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing. With the recent publication of the NPPF consultation, we now have more details on what this important bill may include. Read more about the issues the bill aims to tackle: https://ow.ly/ClCO50TscjR #NPPF #Planning #Infrastructure #UKhousing

FHWA Announces Nearly $635 Million for 22 Bridge Projects  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced nearly $635 million for 22 small and medium-sized bridge projects in both rural and urban areas, through the Bridge Investment Program, from Maine to Mississippi to Arizona and Alaska. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dedicates $40 billion over five years to tackle a backlog of bridge projects, which will improve safety and support economic competitiveness and America’s supply chains, restoring connections that are vital to commuters, emergency responders, truck drivers, and public transit riders.  Selected “Other Than Large” Fiscal Year 2024 projects include: $27,507,200 to the Arizona Department of Transportation for the I-40 Window Rock and Lupton Traffic Interchange Enhancement project located in Apache County, Arizona, immediately west of the New Mexico border. $38,640,000 to Washington County (Iowa) for the Building Bridges Today Helping Feed America Tomorrow project that will remove and replace seven bridges in poor condition in six rural counties. $69,659,473 to the Maine Department of Transportation for the I-95 Accessibility Improvements Minimizing Heavy-Truck Impacts project that will replace six bridges carrying rural roads over Interstate 95 in Kennebec County, Maine.  #FHWA

🚧 Urgent Action Needed for UK's Infrastructure 🚧 The closure of Brigsteer and Underbarrow bridges due to severe structural concerns highlights a critical issue: the UK's deteriorating infrastructure. With nearly 3,000 bridges classified as "substandard," immediate government intervention is essential. Financial constraints and long-term underfunding leave many structures at risk, posing safety hazards and economic disruptions. Tim Farron's petition calls for urgent funding to address these pressing needs and ensure public safety.

It's right to question scope and cost for the next stage of SH1 to Northland - what's missing here is discussion of the economic and social benefits that arise from major roading investments - the "why" we should build infrastructure. There are plenty of good examples of "why" close to home. The 4 lane section of SH1 from Silverdale to Puhoi built in the early 2000's has enabled development along the Silverdale Orewa Corridor. Major distribution (Mighty Ape) and manufacturing business have located there, and many tens of thousands of families live in new homes. Visitors to Orewa no longer have to brave 15,000 vehicles per day on the old SH1 to cross from the ice cream shop to the beach. The community is revitalised and growing. The Waikato Expressway SH1 Hamilton bypass enabled the Waikato-Tainui Ruakura logistics and freight development, home to Kmart and other major distribution centers for the top half of the North Island. Kapiti townships are ready for renewal and growth now that Transmission Gully has taken all but local traffic away from the former SH1 coastal road, which isolated those towns with difficult and unsafe access from the very busy highway into Wellington. There is huge economic and social value arising from those rosding investments and we should assume that will happen for the Northland corridor if the project proceeds and land development follows. If it doesnt proceed then we assume there wont be improved productivity and growth and that Northland and NZ Inc will be poorer for it. We can deliver benefits from projects like Northland RONS sooner if we choose PPPs to deliver and operate these assets. I am working on an update to New Zealand's PPP policy, which will be available toward the end of the year to support decision makers. The NZTA Northland PPP team have appointed an engineering consultant to advise on design and risk, and are conducting market engagement with designers, construction contractors and project financers. After six wasted years under Labour, the Coalition Government is getting ready to unlock productivity and growth with better infrastructure. Hold on Northland, we are coming! #PPP #Infrastructure

In July, the King announced the Government’s upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aimed at speeding up the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing. With the recent publication of the NPPF consultation, we now have more details on what this important bill may include. Read more about the issues the bill aims to tackle: https://ow.ly/pPUr50TyLJH #NPPF #Planning #Infrastructure #UKhousing

America's bridge infrastructure — long seen as dysfunctional — has been steadily improving for the past 20 years, Axios' Will Chase writes. Why it matters: The share of bridges rated poor by the federal government fell from 15% in 2000 to 6.8% in 2023. 🧮 By the numbers: Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan collectively house 40% of neglected bridges. One factor is the bridges' age. Pennsylvania, which tops the list of neglected bridges, has 2,000 bridges built 100+ years ago. Texas, with a single neglected bridge, has just 311 century-old bridges.

A government decision on planning permission for the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing project has been postponed for at least another seven months. This delay impacts major shovel-ready #infrastructure projects that could boost the economy, either facing cancellation or remaining in the starting gates. The government's hesitation on this significant road building project raises questions about its future direction. The decision on the Lower Thames Crossing development consent order has been pushed back to 23rd May 2025, as confirmed by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. This extension allows for more time to evaluate the application thoroughly, considering any decisions made as part of the spending review. With a 35-year history dating back to Margaret Thatcher's era, this project involves groundbreaking plans for a twin bored tunnel under the River Thames and the construction of new roads to connect it to key highways. The proposed tunnel would be the UK's longest and Europe's widest, showcasing the scale and ambition of this infrastructure endeavor. The uncertainty surrounding the Lower Thames Crossing underscores the complexities of large-scale infrastructure developments and the importance of thorough evaluation before major decisions are made. Stay tuned for updates on this pivotal project's future developments. Read more: [https://lnkd.in/e6zbjpXh] The Construction Index Ltd #Infrastructure #Economy #GovernmentDecision #LowerThamesCrossing

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted planning permission for the HIF1 highway infrastructure scheme, after a conjoined public inquiry into the called-in planning application and the related Compulsory Purchase Order and Highways Act orders, which sat for 21 days between February and May 2024.   The scheme, located between the A34 Milton Interchange and the village of Clifton Hampden north of Didcot in Oxfordshire, will deliver new and improved highway, active travel infrastructure, a new road bridge over the Great Western Mainline (the Didcot Science Bridge), and a new road bridge over the River Thames (the Didcot to Culham river crossing). The scheme is intended to facilitate growth in the Science Vale, an area that is home to a significant proportion of the region’s scientific, research and development, and high technology businesses. The Secretary of State agreed with the Inspector, who recommended that planning permission be granted, that the scheme is an integral component for growth within the Science Vale. The decision from the Secretary of State for Transport on the related CPO, Side Roads Order and Bridge Scheme is awaited. The decision can be found here (https://lnkd.in/eWxAJE4G). Michael Humphries KC and Hugh Flanagan acted for the applicant, Oxfordshire County Council, instructed by Debbie Reynolds and a team at TLT LLP.

The Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario announced it is introducing legislation that would, if passed, allow the province to build highways faster. The Building Highways Faster Act would designate priority highway projects to speed up construction, with #Highway413, the #BradfordBypass and the #GardenCitySkyway bridge all set to receive this designation. The Building #Highways Faster Act would streamline utility relocations, accelerate access to property and property acquisitions and introduce new penalties for obstructing access for field investigations or damaging equipment. The legislation would also allow regulation making authority to facilitate around-the-clock, 24/7 #construction on priority highway projects. “Every minute wasted in traffic is a minute that could be spent with friends, family, and the people who matter most,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister, Ontario Ministry of Transportation/ Ministère des Transports de l’Ontario “Our government understands how frustrating it is to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and the need to build highways and roads to help get people moving. That is why we’re moving forward with the common-sense changes, like 24/7 construction, proposed in this legislation.” #infrastructure Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/g2wyy9_7