Transporation Daily News March 12

The Coast Guard set out Tuesday to demonstrate how it keeps errant boaters out of security exclusion zones near potential terrorist targets. The Coast Guard, which invited reporters and television crews onto its 87-foot cutter to witness the security demonstration, was trying to warn boaters to avoid such excluded areas, said Coast Guard spokesman Petty Officer Kevin Neff. CC Times 3/12/08

 

Golden Gate Bridge district officials are recommending that motorists crossing the span be charged a toll that increases when traffic is heaviest instead of a separate toll for the bridge's Doyle Drive approach. The proposed congestion-based toll will be considered by the district's finance committee Thursday. SF Chronicle 3/12/08

 

With gas prices mounting and the economy slowing, commuters from Colfax, Auburn and other foothill communities have been filling bus seats so fast that operators this week said no more. The little agency, which runs three leased buses on Interstate 80 to and from downtown Sacramento, announced it will sell tickets only to current riders. Sacramento Bee 3/12/08

 

The Sacramento metropolitan area ranks eighth in the nation for poor roads, according to a report released Wednesday by TRIP, a Washington, D.C.-based transportation research group. The study said 46 percent of roads in Greater Sacramento are in poor condition, which costs drivers an additional $655 a year in vehicle maintenance, accelerated vehicle deterioration and additional fuel costs. TRIP said 40 percent of Sacramento roads are mediocre, 6 percent are in fair condition and 8 percent are in good shape. Biz Journals 3/12/08

 

Senators and the Bush administration clashed Tuesday about the legality of a pilot program allowing Mexican trucks to travel anywhere in the U.S., a day after the Transportation Department's inspector general released a report on the program that raised some concerns. During an oversight hearing by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D-N.D.) said the department had gone ahead with the program even though Congress cut its funding in December. The program allows participating Mexican trucks to travel anywhere in the United States. LA Times 3/12/08

 

A $135 million bond issue for highway projects - with more than half of the bond money going for a costlyjob between Reno and Carson City - was approved Tuesday by the
Nevada Board of Finance. The entire project is for about $400 million. When completed, the project will include a six-lane freeway with four bridges, the largest of which will tower 300 feet above Galena Creek in Washoe Valley. At nearly 1,800 feet long, it will be one of the longest structures of its kind in the nation. KOLO 3/12/08

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was ready to propose a fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2018 for cars and trucks before its work was stopped in December, according to a congressional investigation. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday demanded the EPA hand over several documents related to the proposal, including communications with the White House, and accused the agency of foot-dragging. Detroit Free Press 3/12/08