The Build America Bureau is pivotal in assisting communities across the nation by offering Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans and various financing opportunities, expediting infrastructure initiatives, and mitigating project expenses.

Spanning Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg, Hampton Roads is set to undergo a comprehensive $445 million project within the framework of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes Network—an extensive 45-mile system of uninterrupted express lanes along I-64.

“This project will eliminate a key regional supply chain bottleneck and has vast economic and job creation potential by providing a consistently reliable connection to Virginia’s port system, the third largest on the East Coast,” said Polly Trottenberg, deputy transportation secretary. “Additionally, the project will enhance safety by improving the emergency evacuation route for the region.”

Focused on “Segment 4C,” a critical 2.5-mile stretch from LaSalle Avenue to Settlers Landing Road, the endeavor is primed to introduce a full-time express lane, a part-time express lane, and two general-purpose lanes in both directions. Notably, Hampton Road Transit buses will have dedicated lanes, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and expedited travel times, which are expected to range from 10 to 15 minutes in both express and general-use lanes.

“Virginia’s innovative financing approach is helping to deliver these overdue improvements at a lower cost,” said Morteza Farajian, Build America Bureau executive director. “Additionally, with over 80,000 active-duty military personnel at eight installations in Hampton Roads, improving regional mobility is critical to national security.”

Source: The Trucker

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On August 1, Wright met with school officials from Brevard Public Schools and its adult and community education branch to celebrate this momentous achievement. The senator played a crucial role in championing this cause during the Florida state legislative session.

Notable attendees included Mark Rendell, the superintendent of Brevard Public Schools, as well as esteemed board members. Brevard Public Schools is renowned as the 49th-largest district in the United States and the 10th largest in Florida.

With this investment, Florida is taking a proactive approach to combat the driver shortage and ensure the continued growth and efficiency of the transportation industry in the state.

The new CDL training facility is designed to help Brevard County residents acquire the skills they need for employment in the trucking industry. With a high demand for drivers, this training will give individuals the opportunity to succeed in this field.

The program will begin accepting students at the facility in June 2024, providing an exciting opportunity for aspiring CDL holders in the district.

Wright is proud to have contributed to the district’s successful acquisition of state funding, recognizing the significance of the 60,000 CDL-related jobs in Florida.

In terms of employment, Florida is ranked third among states for its high number of heavy- and tractor-trailer truck drivers, with 99,490 individuals employed in this field as of May 2022. California takes the lead with 186,140 drivers, followed by Texas with 210,940.

According to statistics, the average annual wage for truck drivers in Florida is $49,690. While this may be low compared to Nebraska’s highest-paying annual salary of $63,560 for truck drivers, it should be noted that truck drivers in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan areas of Florida generally earn more, with an average salary of $51,210 per year.

Brevard Public Schools has received additional funding to help address the shortage of truck drivers on the road. This funding is part of a larger effort by Florida lawmakers to support CDL training initiatives. In September 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis granted $8.2 million to five state colleges in Florida to train a minimum of 1,200 new truck drivers.

Before that, Governor DeSantis also allocated $2.3 million in grants for workforce and education programs, including training for CDL and logistics.

These actions highlight the state’s commitment to addressing the need for skilled truck drivers.

Source: Transport Topics

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