Welcome to the FastLane: The Official Blog of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation

At DOT, we’re doing our part to maintain the best – and the safest – aviation system in the world. That means making sure our air traffic control towers feature the best safety technology and the clearest sight lines we can provide. And, for the Federal Aviation Administration and our nation's airports, that means investing in an America built to last.

Today, I was pleased to join FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta in Pennsylvania to dedicate the new airport traffic control tower at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

A cloudy day can't diminish the new tower

Made possible by $20.5 million in Recovery Act funding, this new tower will help make air travel even safer, modernize our air traffic control system, and support businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania. But it couldn't have been built without the vision and leadership of the Bi-County (Lackawanna and Luzerne) Airport Board that operates Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International.

At 118 feet tall, the new tower reaches twice the height of the 60-year-old tower it replaces, giving air traffic controllers better airfield views and improved lines of sight. In addition, the tower uses the latest radar and communications technology, including state-of-the-art equipment to enable future NextGen technologies.

All of this will really help the men and women who guide planes safely in and out of the airport every day. This morning, as we toured the tower, their enthusiasm for the well-equipped, modern facility was clear.

Cutting the ribbon for the new air traffic control tower

From day one, President Obama and the DOT have been committed to creating jobs as we rebuild and repair our nation’s roads, bridges, tunnels and transit systems. For example, since its launch, our Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act credit assistance program, TIFIA, has helped 27 projects turn $9.2 billion in DOT assistance into $36 billion in infrastructure investment across America.

Now, the recently enacted transportation bill, Moving Ahead for progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) transforms TIFIA into the largest transportation infrastructure loan program in history, making available up to $17 billion in credit assistance for critical infrastructure projects.

Under MAP-21, DOT can extend $1.7 billion in capital for TIFIA. But each dollar of federal funds can actually provide approximately $10 in TIFIA credit assistance, meaning $17 billion in loan. Projects can then use this credit to leverage an additional $20 to $30 billion in investment from other sources.

This means that, altogether, the expanded loan program could result in up to $50 billion in public and private investment in critical transportation infrastructure needs from coast to coast.

And we're wasting no time putting this invigorated program to work. Thanks to the new resources and information we've made available to our state and local partners, the response to MAP-21's TIFIA provision has been tremendous. Although MAP-21 was only signed in July, we have already received 11 different Letter of Interest from projects that plan to seek TIFIA credit assistance from DOT.

Earlier this year, President Obama signed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. We call it "MAP-21," and it consolidated many DOT programs and really changed the transportation status quo.

This Monday, October 1st, those changes go into effect, and we are working hard to make sure our state and local transportation partners are aware of the changes and are ready to join us in hitting the ground running.

A screenshot from DOT's MAP-21 resource page

Over the last few months, we've released a wide range of information to help the nation’s federal, state, local and tribal transportation agencies implement MAP-21 and to highlight opportunities available under the new law.

This week, the Federal  Highway Administration posted a series of documents to assist planners with MAP-21, including major provisions of the National Highway Performance Program, the Surface Transportation Program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan program. You can find these resources at www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21.

These documents clarify MAP-21’s innovative project delivery methods and important changes to funding programs. Additional information addresses the many changes in the new law from MAP-21’s predecessor.

It's been a week of milestones for our Federal Highway Administration, covering a wide range of project delivery stages from permitting to ribbon-cutting.

The Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project in New York State got a big boost yesterday as the FHWA signed a record of decision clearing a key hurdle for construction to begin on the two new spans. The expedited permitting and environmental review for the project was made possible in an October 2011 Presidential Memorandum signed by President Obama.

One possible look for the new crossing

The existing bridge across the Hudson River opened in 1955 and was built to carry a peak load of 100,000 vehicles a day--an ambitious capacity for its day. More than 50 years later, the Tappan Zee carries an estimated 134,000 vehicles each day and as many as 160,000 on weekends.

The heavy traffic along the I-87/I-287 corridor--much greater than anticipated in 1955--makes the Tappan Zee a major bottleneck along one of the East Coast's major economic routes. The bridge has narrow lanes and no shoulders. It's also vulnerable to damage from storms, earthquakes and collisions with ships navigating the river below. The bridge's accident rate is twice that of the New York Thruway system.

Another rendering of the replacement crossing

For travelers on this corridor, it's time for something better, and yesterday's record of decision brings the project one step closer to reality and brings area workers one step closer to the jobs the project will create.

As FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez said, "The construction of this new bridge will create thousands of jobs. When completed, it will make travel safer and more efficient in one of the nation's busiest areas - setting the stage for economic growth for years to come. It's a prime example of what President Obama called 'an America built to last.' "

Motorcoach travel is a major part of America's vibrant transportation network. Intercity and chartered buses provide mobility and connectivity for millions of Americans--all while taking cars off our roads and reducing congestion.

And today, with the official opening of the new Greyhound Terminal here in Washington, DC, bus travel is about to get a lot more convenient for passengers up and down the East Coast.

Ribbon cutting at the new Union Station Greyhound Terminal.

Starting tomorrow morning, all Greyhound and Peter Pan bus services will relocate to the historic Union Station, the region's largest transportation center. They'll join curbside providers like MegaBus and Bolt Bus, which moved off DC streets and into Union Station last summer.

A commuter can now seamlessly switch from intercity bus service to Metrorail, local buses, commuter rail, taxi cabs, and even bike sharing. This is the first time Washington has had that kind of convenience--and it's just the latest step forward in Union Station's transformation into a multimodal 21st century transportation hub.

When we launched our TIGER program in 2009, we wanted to help build high-priority transportation solutions--projects that create jobs, stimulate economic activity, and make it easier for people to get where they need to go. We also wanted to recognize communities that formed innovative partnerships to meet their transportation challenges.

Cleveland's Cedar-University Rapid Station is one such project, and last week Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff joined Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority General Manager Joseph Calabrese to break ground on this new station in the city's University Circle neighborhood.

The new center, funded in part by the second round of our TIGER program, will make riding transit safer and more reliable by constructing a new, well-lit train platform, adding better bicycle and pedestrian access, and bringing the station in line with the 22-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act.

University Circle is home to Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, and the Cleveland Foundation. These institutions have anchored a fast-growing jobs and cultural center, and the Cedar-University station will help transit riders access the services and opportunities they offer.

In 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration kicked off its CLEEN program--Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise, a partnership with industry to develop alternative jet fuels and energy-saving flight technologies and procedures that is already paying dividends.

Last week, Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Michael Huerta saw that progress firsthand when the Boeing Aircraft Company flew its first “ecoDemonstrator” into Reagan National Airport. This modified American Airlines 737 is a showcase of new aircraft technologies that offer the promise of cleaner and quieter flying.

As Deputy Secretary Porcari said, "This Administration is dedicated to fostering innovation that will help our economy grow and compete worldwide. We are all working to make the right investments so civil aviation, which contributes $1.3 trillion and 10 million jobs to our economy, continues to spur economic growth."

FAA Acting Administrator Huerta (left of the logo) and Deputy Transportation Secretary Porcari (right of logo)

One of the ecoDemonstrator's promising technologies is CLEEN Adaptive Trailing-Edges. These are fitted on the wings of the aircarft to improve fuel-saving, aerodynamic efficiency and decrease aircraft noise. Other innovations include variable area fan nozzles, active engine vibration reduction, a regenerative fuel cell, and flight trajectory optimization to enable more efficient routing for fuel savings.

Tested at Boeing’s Glasgow, Montana, facility, the ecoDemonstrator showed that this new technology is not only viable, but could lead to 2 percent reductions in aircraft fuel burn. Because fuel is the single largest expense for airlines, increasing efficiency improves the environment while helping American companies cut costs and stay competitive.

In fact, based on 2009 total fuel gallons burned, a 2 percent fuel savings would equal 340 million gallons, saving the industry $1.2 billion.

FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta

Each summer, when schools let out, tens of thousands of students across America turn to internships to supplement what they've learned in their classes. And when some of these young men and women come to DOT, it's a terrific opportunity for them to see how government works and to learn from transportation professionals.

If we want to keep America's transportation system moving forward, we will need young people to pursue jobs in transportation-related fields. So these internships at DOT are also an opportunity for us to get students excited about transportation careers.

At the end of the summer, we held a town hall event with many of our interns; they asked a number of terrific questions, and we've turned them into our September episode of "On the Go." Whether they were asking about policy, safety, or the future of transportation, they highlighted several important topics; and in this latest "On the Go," I have a few answers.

• Post on my Facebook page,
• Tweet me using the #q4ray hashtag, or
• Leave a comment here on the blog.

Thanks for tuning in, and keep sending in your feedback.  You never know when you might find yourself featured in an upcoming episode of "On the Go."

While we continue working on speed and service improvements for rail passengers on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and the Chicago-St. Louis and Chicago-Detroit lines, we're also moving forward on President Obama's vision of American high speed rail in the Southeast, one of the nation's fastest growing regions.

The growing number of passengers choosing rail to travel between Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA, and Washington, DC, indicate another thriving corridor in the making. And we're supporting their choice to ride rail with investments that will make passenger rail service on the Charlotte-Richmond-Washington line even more competitive.

Freight and passenger trains working together in North Carolina, photo courtesy Glenn Lane

In Raleigh and Rocky Mount today, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo announced a $26.5 million grant to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to improve reliability and reduce delays for passengers and freight traffic in the eastern part of the state. This money will put men and women to work improving service for both the Amtrak Carolinian line, which runs between New York City and Charlotte, and the Amtrak long distance trains that run between New York City and Florida.

This project to eliminate key choke points was developed in partnership with the freight railroad CSX, and that cooperation will ensure that both freight and passenger railroads can thrive while improving service. That's a win for everyone.

FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo

The work will include installation of new track and ties, crossovers, and signals to alleviate rail congestion in this area and allow freight and passenger rail traffic to move more fluidly. The line connects with future Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor stations in Petersburg and Raleigh, where trains will travel at 110 mph in coming years.

As Administrator Szabo said, “This project is a great example of rail carriers, governors, mayors, legislators, advocacy groups, and policy makers coming together to establish a clear vision for this multi-state corridor, and creating a plan to eliminate this bottleneck."

Safety is DOT’s number one priority, and we are constantly working on new ways to ensure that whatever mode of transportation you choose to use, it is as safe as possible.

Yesterday, I was pleased to join New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan to unveil the New York City DOT’s new “LOOK” safety campaign.  This innovative campaign uses street markings and display ads to remind drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be alert and focused at all times, whether they are sitting behind the wheel, riding a bike, or traveling on foot.

“LOOK” pavement markings at crosswalks, with “eyes” drawn within the O’s, will alert pedestrians to oncoming traffic, and ads targeted to drivers and cyclists will feature the “LOOK” graphic on MTA buses’ rear advertising panels.

NYC DOT safety awareness campaigns have already helped reduce traffic fatalities in New York City by 40 percent since 2001. This campaign is another important step towards improved safety, and will help to further reduce injuries and save lives in one of our nation’s busiest cities.

Safety is a two-way street --and that requires motorists as well as all users of our roads to be aware of each other and keep their eyes wide open. Whether you choose to travel by car, bike, or foot, it’s important to share the roads and stay alert.

I'll tell you right now that I have been looking forward to this day since the Summer of 2009. That year, we saw transit accidents in Boston and San Francisco, and a tragic crash right here in Washington, DC.

It was also the year when, on behalf of President Obama, I submitted to Congress a transit safety proposal to establish and enforce minimum federal safety standards for transit systems. We weren't sure how long it would take to close the safety gap, but we knew it was the right thing to do. And we've been fighting to secure this authority ever since.

Today, more than three years later, our Transit Advisory Committee for Safety is meeting for the first time since a new transportation law granted the Federal Transit Administration authority to implement and enforce transit safety oversight standards.

TRACS advisory committee at this morning's meeting; photo courtesy FTA

In 2009, we had safety regulations in place for planes, trains, trucks, and automobiles. Yet transit riders enjoyed none of the nationwide standards that protect passengers on airlines and railroads. And DOT was actually prohibited by law from issuing common-sense basic safety standards and regulations for these systems.

This didn't make any sense. The nation's transit passengers–who take more than 10 billion trips each year on America's transit bus, streetcar, and rail systems–deserved to see it fixed, and we wanted to help fix it.

President Obama signs MAP-21 into law on July 6, 2012, photo courtesy White House

This summer, President Obama signed into law Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). This law grants DOT and FTA new authority to strengthen the safety of American public transportation. Under MAP-21, the FTA will be able to establish and enforce a regulatory framework to oversee the safety of public transportation throughout the United States.

In May, DOT partnered with the Obama Administration's Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to launch the Safety Data Initiative. The result, safety.data.gov, is an effort to release freely available government data to build products, services, and apps that advance public safety in creative and powerful ways.

From transportation to the workplace and from crime to consumer product recalls, we know that access to timely information empowers people to make smarter, safer choices. So we have made a concerted effort to make good data more easily accessible, hoping that others will find new ways to put it to work through innovative apps and other services.

US CTO Todd Park gets Safety Datapalooza started, photo courtesy Department of Labor

At our launch, we issued a call to innovators to build tools that will make a difference in Americans' lives. And now, just four months later, we're happy to say that the Safety Data Initiative is doing exactly that.

On Friday, we proudly hosted the first-ever White House Safety Datapalooza to showcase how the data available on safety.data.gov is helping people make more-informed decisions--for themselves and their families--and to celebrate the innovators who are using this nation's enormous data resources to make powerful tools for consumers.

Deputy Secretary Porcari at Datapalooza. (Photo Credit: Department of Labor)

We're impressed not only by the number of apps and services that have been developed, but also by the diversity of those tools. At Friday's event, for example, we saw:

• PulsePoint, from the San Ramon Fire Protection District, a lifesaving mobile app that allows CPR-trained volunteers to be notified if someone nearby is in need of emergency assistance;
• Commute and crime maps, from Trulia, allow home buyers to choose their new residence based on two important everyday factors; and
• Hurricane App, from the American Red Cross, to monitor storm conditions, prepare your family and home, find help, and let others know you're safe even if the power is out;

That's just for starters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans a January release for its SaferCars app that will put vehicle safety ratings, defect reports, and child safety seat information at your fingertips. They will also release the real-time data that powers this app, enabling developers around the country, via an application programming interface (API), to empower their users with this valuable information.

Paul Levine, COO of Trulia, introduces new maps (Photo Credit: Department of Labor)

With America's youngest drivers now back in school, now is the time to educate them about the dangers of distracted driving. And to make sure they get the important safety message that one text or call can wreck it all, we've recently had very strong support from many terrific partners, most recently NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, State Farm, and AT&T.

In 2010, 3,092 people were killed in crashes involv­ing distracted drivers, and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured. New statistics released by NHTSA show that, also in 2010, 375 teens were driving while distracted in crashes that resulted in the loss of 403 lives. Of those killed in teen distraction crashes, 55 percent were teens themselves.Our new NHTSA data show that in 2010 drivers age 15 to 19 were responsible for 13 percent of fatal distracted driving related crashes.

In the driving simulator with State Farm's Tim McFadden.

That's why on Saturday, I was happy to join State Farm for a "Celebrate My Drive" teen safe driving event in Tysons Corner, Virginia, one of 400 similar events held nationwide that day. And I have to say that the State Farm team pulled out all the stops. From prizes to driving challenges to on-the-spot customized flip books, State Farm had quite a range of activities all of which featured the safety slogan, "Own every mile."

As I told the hundreds of young people at the event, "Own every mile" means to be responsible and pay close attention each and every moment you're at the wheel. I talked about the statistics we've collected and the studies we've performed showing how dangerous it is to text or talk on a cell phone while driving. I even had the cheerleading squads of Centreville High School and Bishop McNamara High School on their feet doing a new cheer that I hope will be performed at high schools across America this fall: "Don't text, [clap clap,] and drive, [clap clap.] Don't text, [clap clap,] and drive, [clap clap.]"

Young drivers from Bishop McNamara pledge to "Own Every Mile."

But, what seemed to make the greatest difference to the teens I spoke with were the real-life stories of victims and the loved ones left behind. Whether it was the story I told of a young Peoria woman killed in 2009 while she was texting behind the wheel or the firsthand accounts featured in our Faces of Distracted Driving video series, the particular seems to hit home.

That's why the recent "The Last Text" campaign from AT&T has been so effective. I'm sure you've seen these powerful ads by now where a victim or survivor reads the final text sent or received before a distraction-related crash.

If you were on the campus of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy last Friday afternoon, you know what a beautiful day it was. With Parents' Weekend, Acceptance Day, and a gridiron contest against in-state rival SUNY Maritime (our Mariners won 19-14), the weekend sunshine couldn't have been better timed.

And adding to the glow were the arrival of the MV Liberty Star--the newest vessel in the Kings Point training fleet--and the announcement of a contract to begin the long-awaited reconstruction of Mallory Pier.

Dozens of midshipmen and their parents turned out to welcome Liberty Star – soon to be renamed the Kings Pointer, in keeping with Academy tradition.  It was easy to see why they were so excited. 

Before being reassigned to the Academy, the vessel performed solid rocket booster recovery missions for NASA's space shuttle program. In addition to its two combined 2,900 horsepower diesel engines, 7,500-pound deck crane, and double towing winch, Liberty Star features controllable pitch propellers and an auxiliary water jet thruster, combined with modern joy-stick dynamic positioning capability.

Dynamic Positioning Capability allows the vessel to hold its position with much greater accuracy--down to less than one meter—as compared to conventional propulsion systems. And because more and more contemporary vessels are equipped with this capability, the MV Liberty Star offers midshipmen a valuable training opportunity, the only Academy in the U.S. to offer its students a ship with this capability.

At the Department of Transportation, safety is our highest priority, especially when it comes to protecting America’s kids.  And whether you’re dropping kids off at school or going on a family trip, a car seat is essential to keeping your child safe.

Today, I joined National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland and Safe Kids President and CEO Kate Carr at Garrison Elementary School in Washington, DC, to kick-off Child Passenger Safety Week, an annual opportunity to remind parents and caregivers to make sure that they are properly  using their child safety seats.

The key to keeping kids safe while they’re riding in the car is to make sure that they are buckled into the right seat for their age and size and to make sure that the seat is correctly installed in your vehicle.

America’s families are busy; there’s never enough time in the day. When you feel like you're running behind, it might seem like it would take too long to double-check that your child's safety seat is securely installed.

But --as any EMT, police officer, or firefighter will tell you-- taking a few moments to make sure that seat is properly installed is worth the time. Those few moments could save you a lifetime of regret.

Since taking office, President Obama and this Administration have been committed to investing in smart, sustainable transportation that helps more Americans get to work, school, and other destinations while also helping communities save money.

That’s why today, DOT is pleased to announce that 27 projects across the country will receive a combined $59.3 million to help transit agencies purchase and support cleaner, greener buses that reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel economy. And because these cleaner-fueled buses will replace aging transit vehicles, they will also deliver a more comfortable, reliable ride for passengers.

These grants, provided through the Federal Transit Administration’s Clean Fuels Program, will help achieve President Obama’s goal for an independent and secure energy future.

Transit agencies and the communities they serve recognize the benefits of switching to a cleaner fueled fleet, and demand for this program continues to be very strong. This year, we received requests equaling more than half a billion dollars – almost 10 times the amount of money available.

America has one of the best freight systems in the world. That’s important, because freight movement is the lifeblood of the American economy. No economy can grow faster than its ability to move the raw materials and parts its businesses use and the goods its businesses produce.

• First, we must develop a national strategic vision on freight.
• Second, the public and private sectors must work together to invest in our nation’s freight network.
• Third, we must plan and deliver freight infrastructure projects more quickly and efficiently than ever.

At DOT, we're wasting no time meeting those challenges.

The transportation bill that President Obama signed this summer, MAP-21, calls us on us to work with the States to plan our freight investments more systematically—so that we can achieve our national goals.

And last month, we announced the launch of DOT's Freight Policy Council. This group represents DOT leadership across the modes, from highways and railways to ports and pipelines. We also have economic, policy and legal experts from throughout the Department. Led by our Deputy Secretary, John Porcari, the council will help us coordinate the implementation of MAP-21 freight provisions, develop a national plan for improving freight movement, and meet the President’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015.

Today we're kicking off the new council's work by listening to the people who know freight ---the states, the freight and logistics industry, businesses, consumers, and other stakeholders.

Our economy can't grow if shipper can't goods to manufacturers and markets

All across the country, transportation investments have played a critical role in reviving our manufacturing sector. Manufacturing built our country and created our middle class, and this Administration knows that if we want to remain the world’s greatest nation, we must continue to build things.

That’s why, later today I will join representatives from the BlueGreen Alliance, a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy, at a White House forum on “Creating Jobs and Building Better Communities Through Transit Investment.”

 
Workers at United Streetcar in Oregon show off newly made transit parts

At this session, we'll discuss ways to strengthen America's communities by continuing to enforce our Buy America provisions, developing all-American manufacturing supply chains, and enhancing partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels around economic development and infrastructure investment.

This summer, President Obama signed MAP-21 into law, which will create good-paying jobs and put Americans back to work repairing our nation’s infrastructure. And because it reinforces our Buy America requirements for road, bridge, rail, and transit projects, MAP-21 also furthers our commitment to building transportation projects with American hands and American-made parts and supplies.

Our Buy America policies create and support good-paying jobs that benefit hardworking families and industries that are important to the American economy – industries from iron ore mining and steel production to rail manufacturing and electronics.

When I visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, like many people I was struck by the names of 9/11 victims etched into the sides of the two reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood. "These names," I wrote here, "remind us that what we think of as a national event had profound consequences for individuals, families, and communities."

Today, I want to talk about another surface etched with the names of those whose personal sacrifice had profound national consequences--the Wall of Names at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, PA.

Because of the quick and determined actions of the passengers and crew, Flight 93 was the only one of the four hijacked aircraft that failed to reach the terrorists' intended target that day. These brave men and women showed unity, courage, and defiance in the face of adversity, putting the good of the nation ahead of their own survival.

This morning, 11 years after their heroic recapturing of the aircraft, I visited the memorial in Shanksville with Vice President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Like the September 11 Memorial and Museum, the Flight 93 Memorial is hallowed ground. But this site is wilder, befitting the bold action of those 40 heroes and the field where their Boeing 757 crashed.

Now, a $3 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration will make it possible for the National Park Service to preserve the site as it was on September 11, 2001, while also making the memorial more accessible to visitors.

No one who was working at the Department of Transportation 11 years ago will forget the morning of September 11, 2001. Whether it was the Federal Aviation Administration's air traffic controllers, who helped bring every aircraft in U.S. airspace safely to ground, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's midshipmen, who went into the chaos of Lower Manhattan to support the maritime evacuation of Wall Street workers, 9/11 is permanently etched into the Department's memory.

To commemorate that day, the FAA's Washington Metroplex Team has named two arrival sequences to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to honor those who died that day and those who have served our country from that day forward. Each arrival sequence, FRDMM (Freedom) and TRUPS (Troops), is part of our new NextGen descents, which use satellite-based information to make more efficient arrivals and departures at airports. The sequences contain a series of five-letter waypoints – points in the sky through which an aircraft must fly to remain on course – and together, they spell out messages of support and remembrance for 9/11. 

Aircraft flying the Freedom route to National from the northwest pass through waypoints named “WEEEE,” “WLLLL,” “NEVVR,” “FORGT” and “SEP11.” Those flying the Troops route from the southwest pass through waypoints named “USAAY,” “WEEDU,” “SUPRT,” “OOURR” and “TRUPS.” Depending on the runway configuration, aircraft might also pass through waypoints named “STAND” and “TOGETHER” or “LETZZ,” “RLLLL,” “VCTRY” and “HEROO."

DOT's new Pipeline Safety Update is exactly what it sounds like --an update on the status of pipeline safety across the country-- and more.

By visiting this new website, you'll be able to review the actions that our Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the states, and pipeline operators have taken to improve safety. The site also provides an overview of the nation’s pipeline system, including the factors that affect our pipelines and the role of stakeholders --that includes you-- in pipeline safety.

The Pipeline Safety Update is not a one-time thing; it's dynamic, and we'll keep it updated whenever new information is available. This site will be America's pipeline resource, a hub for updates on safety regulations, opportunities for public comment, and other initiatives.

If you're new to the world of pipelines or just curious about the pipelines beneath your community, you might be interested in the Pipeline Safety Guide, the Image Library, and the Glossary. We've also included an extensive chronology of this Administration's pipeline safety accomplishments.

Of course, we'll continue to use a wide range of channels to keep you informed about pipeline safety developments. Whether it's via the Federal Register, the PHMSA website, or the media, you won't miss a beat. We're also adding to to PHMSA’s Twitter outreach efforts with the new hashtag, #PipelineUpdate.

As I’ve said before, when we increase access to transit, we increase access to opportunity. So improving transportation choices available to all Americans is a priority for this Administration. At DOT, we are particularly proud of the transit services we're developing for our nation's military heroes, veterans, wounded warriors, and their families.

Workers leaving the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for Clipper Connection buses

On Wednesday, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff joined U.S. Navy and local officials in Kittery, Maine to announce that DOT is providing more than $3.5 million to improve transportation for veterans, military families, civilian defense workers, and other residents of the greater Seacoast region of Maine and New Hampshire.

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) will receive $2.6 million to improve the frequency of regional bus service during peak commuting periods, and $640,000 will be used to help expand the important Clipper Connection commuter bus service, which serves the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

FTA Administrator Rogoff announcing the grants.

This increase in commuter bus services will make it easier for civilian and military personnel to get to critical jobs at the Naval Shipyard and at Pease International Tradeport, two of the area’s largest employment centers.

And, as Administrator Rogoff noted, by providing these workers good transportation choices, we're providing their families the chance to save thousands of dollars each year for other things --putting food on the table, paying for their kids' college, saving for the future.

As a grandfather of nine, I take the safety of our nation’s children personally.  So, with summer drawing to a close and students returning to school, I want to remind parents, caregivers, and everyone traveling on our nation’s roads to stay alert and drive responsibly so our kids can arrive at their classrooms and return home safely.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,847 school-aged children were killed in traffic related crashes in 2010. A greater proportion of those deaths occurred in the afternoon --between 3 and 4 p.m.-- than at any other time of day.

These tragic deaths and thousands of injuries can be prevented if drivers pay extra attention to basic safety tips:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones, before and after school hours.
• Watch out for kids crossing in the middle of the block, instead of intersections.
• Give pedestrians the right of way at a crosswalk.
• And make sure to give the road your full attention by putting away your cell phone until you’ve safely reached your destination.

When a natural disaster like Hurricane Isaac strikes, it's imperative that states and cities can reopen critical transportation routes as quickly as possible. Those roads and bridges are needed to move first responders, to restock supplies and to begin the process of rebuilding. To help do exactly that, we're announcing the immediate availability of $3.5 million in quick release emergency funds to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

This Administration is absolutely committed to helping Louisiana and neighboring states recover from Isaac's powerful wind and intense rain.

Today’s announcement builds on the Major Disaster declaration for Louisiana approved by President Obama last Wednesday, which makes federal assistance – including these emergency relief funds – available to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts.

The Federal Highway Administration funds announced today will pay for removing debris and restoring traffic signals, signs, and shoulders on the roads and bridges damaged last week by Isaac's devastating landfall.

President Barack Obama talks with a resident as he tours a neighborhood in LaPlace, La.,  to view damage
and the ongoing response and recovery efforts to Hurricane Isaac. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today's quick release funds are only a down payment on the eventual cost of restoring these roadways. Initial damage to federal-aid roads has been estimated at $31 million. However, because some roads in southern Louisiana remain impassable, we're still waiting to assess the full extent of the damage. 

And when the damage is finally known, the FHWA's emergency relief program will be there to support the rebuilding process and help get things back to normal for area residents.

There is no question that Hurricane Isaac has disrupted lives and destroyed important infrastructure. We at DOT are proud to be able to lend a hand with critical repairs to communities nationwide in times of need. 

In 1934, the City of Nashua, NH, acquired 90 acres of land and developed it into the Nashua Municipal Airport. They didn't do it alone; the federal government provided assistance through the Civil Works Administration, part of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. And from 1934 to 1939, the federal government continued to provide assistance as Nashua Municipal Airport developed its facilities into New Hampshire's second largest airport.

Last Friday, Nashua once again demonstrated its commitment to airport development, and once again the federal government was there to support the airport's efforts, this time through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program. The AIP provides $3.35 billion in funding each year for projects that are vital to maintaining the safety, capacity, and environmental stewardship of our nation's airports.

Mayor Lozeau cuts the ribbon as Sen. Shaheen and Acting FAA Admin. Huerta (to her right) look on

Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta joined Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau and U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to dedicate the newly improved Runway 14/32.

The FAA-funded project relocated the runway 300 feet to the north, allowing for adequate separation between the runway and a nearby taxiway. It also extended the runway by 500 feet to accommodate larger aircraft that now use the airport. The upgraded runway meets FAA design standards and has runway safety areas on both ends.

“This project will provide critical safety improvements for an airport that serves as a reliever for Boston’s Logan Airport,” said Acting Administrator Huerta.

In addition to enhanced safety, the longer runway makes Nashua more competitive for use by a broader mix of aircraft. That means more economic activity for the airport and the City of Nashua. As Kenneth McLaughlin, owner of a company that provides hangars and flight service, said, “This can’t be anything but positive. We’re going to be in the pipeline now.”

A 192( Curtiss Robin approaches the newly reopened runway

Big transportation projects don't always show up on a map until many years after their original planners first discuss an idea. But once they do show up, they can make a world of difference for area residents and businesses, interstate commerce, and our nation's economy.

To mark a huge milestone in one such project, last Thursday Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez helped Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear break ground on the East End Crossing Bridge, part of the Ohio River Bridges project.

Gov. Steve Beshear and Gov. Mitch Daniels (2nd and 3rd from left) with FHWA Administrator Mendez (2nd from right)
Photo courtesy Gov. Beshear's office

To put this project in perspective, planning for the Ohio River Bridges began in early 1969, more than 43 years ago. That's before the late Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon that July and before the "Miracle" Mets won the 66th World Series that October.

But last week, the communities of Louisville, KY, and Jeffersonville, IN, finally saw physical evidence of the area's first new bridge in more than 50 years. As the Ohio River Bridges project now moves into its construction phase, thousands of jobs will be created during the next six years, and that's going to be a real shot in the arm for the region.

When completed, the East End Crossing Bridge will offer drivers four lanes with full-width shoulders for added safety. The bridge will also feature a 13-foot-wide shared-use path for bicycles and pedestrians.

Rain was falling during the Grand Prix of Baltimore this past weekend, but Indy Car driver Ryan Hunter-Reay stayed focused and took the checkered flag at the end of 75 laps in and around Charm City. And though the weather was on their minds, you can bet that not one of the drivers in Sunday's race was distracted by a cell phone call or text message. They all know that focused driving is safe driving.

And our safety partners at Mazda Motorsports, Project Yellow Light, the Ad Council and the National Organizations for Youth Safety know it, too.

Star Mazda Series driver Zach Veach talks racing and safety with Dep. Sec. Porcari, NHTSA Admin. David Strickland

Last Friday in Baltimore, they joined Deputy Secretary John Porcari and National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland to launch a new video challenge that invites teens to produce a public service announcement (PSA) against distracted driving. The winning PSAs will be announced as part of Global Youth Traffic Safety Month® in May 2013 and will air on television stations nationwide this spring.

We know that young people are especially vulnerable to distracted driving. According to a recent NHTSA nationwide study, young drivers 18 to 20 years old were most likely to be using a phone at the time of a crash. Even more alarming, 20 percent said that sending text messages or e-mails made no difference at all in their driving.

Zach Veach explains why he joined the fight to end teen distracted driving

That's why we're reaching out to young people to help us raise awareness about the dangers of texting or talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. As Deputy Secretary Porcari said, "As the father of teenagers myself, I know that the most effective message often comes from another teen. They listen to each other, making this contest particularly powerful in the fight to end distracted driving."

Watch the winning entries from last year's contest