NEW BRITAIN - With only a couple of months until construction season begins, the Common Council is expected to approve a contract with a Bristol company to work on the Beehive Bridge project.
On Jan. 9, the city opened bids for the two-year, $7-million-plus project, which will revamp the section of Main Street that runs over Route 72.
With bids from six competitors, Public Works Director Mark Moriarty picked low bidder Martin Laviero Contractor Inc., which offered $7,495,628. About $2.37 million will come from city bonding, more than $2.7 million from state grants and $1.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The remaining money will come from miscellaneous grants.
The project, the fifth phase of the city’s Complete Streets master plan, is tentatively scheduled to begin in April.
The Common Council, which meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers, is also expected to accept a few state grants related to after-school programs.
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is requesting approval of two after-school grants from the state Department of Education and a Housing and Urban Development grant totaling $348,920. This is year one of the two-year After School Grant.
Students in grades 3 through 5 will be attending the program from 3:35 to 5:45 p.m.
The grants will fund the program’s major components and themes: academic support, enrichment, recreation and wellness and family engagement.
The parks department provides after-school programs at seven elementary schools: Chamberlain, Gaffney, Jefferson, Lincoln, Northend, Smith and Smalley.
Construction is up across the country
NEW BRITAIN-Construction employment across the country increased by 36,000 jobs in January, according to new data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Design work for expanding Meriden Green begins soon
By Leigh Tauss, Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — The city is about to begin design work for plans to extend the Meriden Green north following the demolition of the Mills Memorial Apartments.
The estimated $4 million flood control project will add about two-and-a-half acres to the park and expose a new section of Harbor Brook from Mill Street to Cedar Street, said Public Works Director Bob Bass.
“It’s going to look very similar to what is already there,” Bass said. “You are going to have the brook, continue with concrete sidewalks, probably add another foot bridge.”
The city is in the process of finalizing an agreement with engineering firm Milone & MacBroom to do the design work for $312,500, Bass said.
Design work is expected to take between nine months and a year. The project hinges on the demolition of the Mills, which is slated for spring. Construction on the new section of the green will likely not begin until 2020, Bass said. You are not going to see anything for a couple years because you have to go through the design, approvals from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, so there’s going to be some time before it moves forward,” Bass said.
From a flood control standpoint, Parks and Recreation Director Chris Bourdon said the Meriden Green has been a success. While extending the park will increase the workload on his department, Bourdon said it will be worth it if the project brings more businesses to the city.
“If the cost of spurring downtown economic development is more work for us, we’re glad to pay that price,” Bourdon said.
Durham water plan completes approval phase
By Lauren Takores, Record-Journal staff
DURHAM — The Durham-Middletown water purchase agreement received its final needed approval Monday from the Durham Board of Selectmen.
The conversation will move from planning and design to bidding and construction, First Selectman Laura Francis said. A communication plan is slated to be announced next month, after the water project team meets.
A new water main will bring clean water from Middletown to properties in the Durham Meadows Superfund site, plus homes that represent a buffer in an area where the contamination plume would most likely migrate.
The plan is to install a water tank in Middletown on Cherry Hill, near Talcott Ridge Road. The water main will run down Route 17 into downtown Durham and connect to the existing water main at the Durham center booster station.
The Environmental Protection Agency will fund 90 percent of the project and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will cover the rest as required by the state Superfund contract.
Edward Hathaway, of the EPA New England Region and project manager for Durham Meadows Superfund site, said the EPA expects to go out to bid on construction in March or April.
Construction is estimated to take two years to complete. Water could start flowing in 2020.
The EPA completed removal of contamination in the soil at the former Merriam Manufacturing Company in 2012, and has completed a design to remove contaminated soil from the Durham Manufacturing Company property, Hathaway said Tuesday.
Removal of the contaminated soil will limit the contamination that is continuing to leach into the bedrock groundwater aquifer.
Since the contamination plume is moving toward the Durham fairground wells, Hathaway said the plan is to take the Durham fairground wells offline and connect the fairground to the new water main.
“In addition, monitoring wells will be installed to keep track of the extent of groundwater contamination,” he said.
Francis said the fairground wells system was designed and built to be able to connect to a new system, if and when it became contaminated.
While designing the new water system, two new houses were tested for contamination, which provided proof the plume is moving.
“The movement convinced us we should disconnect (the fairground wells) sooner rather than later,” Francis said.
First Glimpse At Design For East Windsor Casino Includes 5-Story Parking Garage
The casino planned for East Windsor would be built with a one-story gambling venue and a five-level, 1,800-space parking garage at the site of a vacant movie theater that’s now visible from I-91.
Drawings have been submitted to the town and are little more than a rough sketch. But the plans provide the first glimpse at the thinking behind the $300 million development.
In addition to the parking garage, the drawings show space for another 400 vehicles on surface lots.
This week, the town planning and wetlands regulation boards will get their first look at the plans. More detailed plans will be submitted before final approvals are sought, including updated renderings.
“These plans don’t have a lot of details,” First Selectman Robert Maynard said. “But they are definitely moving forward.”
The East Windsor casino — the first off a tribal reservation in Connecticut — has been framed as part of a strategy to compete with MGM Resorts International’s $960 million casino and entertainment complex just up the highway in Springfield. MGM Springfield is expected to open in September.
The legislature last year approved the expansion by the operators of Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun to partner in opening the East Windsor casino. The idea is to preserve the state’s cut of monthly slot revenue in tight fiscal times and hold on to jobs tied to the gaming industry. Both are seen as vulnerable to MGM.
Demolition of the long-abandoned Showcase Cinemas is now scheduled for Feb. 28.
MMCT Venture — the partnership of the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans — purchased the 26-acre theater site in July for $4 million from National Amusements, according to town records.
Andrew Doba, a spokesman for the tribal joint venture, said: “We’re making progress and look forward to continue working with our partners locally and in state government in the fight to save jobs and revenue.”
Work on the site was first expected to begin by the end of last year. Even with the delay, leaders of the two casino say they are focused on the project. They point to the hiring of an architectural firm, JCJ Architecture of Hartford; a general contractor, Tutor Perini Building Corp., based in California; construction manager Bertino & Associates, of New Jersey; and marketing firm Cronin of Glastonbury. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Transportation Construction Coalition Statement on Release of White House Infrastructure Plan, FY 2019 Budget Proposal
The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) released the following statement in response to the Feb. 12 release of the Trump administration's Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America and FY2019 Budget request.
"The 31 national associations and trade union members that make up the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) are pleased to see the arrival of President Trump's long-awaited infrastructure package and budget proposal put forward today. The Administration is wisely seeking to change the dialogue that has been largely absent in Washington for more than a decade and proposing something extra to current programs that aims to improve highway and transit infrastructure performance rather than the focus continuing on just maintaining current conditions. The TCC also supports the President's outlined efforts to identify procedural changes to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects as well as the expansion of programs to enhance state, local and private sector investment.
“At the same time the Administration seems to be taking two steps forward, it also takes one, or more, steps back. We oppose the simultaneous call for eliminating transit capital and other transportation construction grant programs put forward in the President's FY 2019 budget. The same budget points out the need for a permanent resolution to the Highway Trust Fund's fiscal instability, but falls short of proposing any meaningful solutions.
“All eyes are now on Congress to send to the President for his signature an infrastructure package, before the August recess, that both provides additional resources to help improve, not just maintain, our nation's infrastructure. There is no better way to do just that than by passing a package that includes a permanent, growing, user-based Highway Trust Fund revenue solution. The TCC looks forward to working with Members of Congress in the coming weeks to help them do exactly that.”
For more information, visit www.transportationconstrutioncoalition.org.
White House Plan Calls for Streamlining Project Delivery and Giving States Flexibility to Toll Interstate Highways
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Executive Director and CEO, Patrick D. Jones, issued the following statement in response to the official release of President Trump's infrastructure plan, “Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America."
“We commend the administration for focusing on the need to reinvest in America's infrastructure. We also applaud the administration's proposal to give states flexibility to toll interstate highways to help rebuild them. While tolling is not appropriate in every circumstance, it is a proven tool that speeds project delivery and provides a steady stream of funding for future road maintenance and improvements. We look forward to working closely with the administration and Congress on a robust plan to improve America's vital transportation infrastructure.”
There are 129 distinct toll entities in the U.S. operating 327 separate toll road, bridge and tunnel facilities in 35 states that account for nearly 6,200 mi. of roadway and 5.7 billion trips per year. Some of the highest capacity, Interstate quality highways in America would never have been built without tolling.
To speak with Patrick Jones or any of IBTTA's members working daily in states and localities throughout the country to keep Americans moving forward, please contact Bill Cramer at bcramer@ibtta.org or 202-210-2962 (mobile) or visit www.IBTTA.org.
Building a Stronger America: President Trump's American Infrastructure Initiative
Pages 20 to 21 of that document states the following:
Provide States Tolling Flexibility
Provide States flexibility to toll on Interstates and reinvest toll revenues in infrastructure. Currently, Federal law allows tolling Interstates in limited circumstances. Tolling restrictions foreclose what might otherwise serve as a major source of revenue for infrastructure investment. Providing states flexibility to toll existing Interstates would generate additional revenues for states to invest in surface transportation infrastructure. Current requirements that states must reinvest toll revenues in infrastructure would continue to apply.
Reconcile the grandfathered restrictions on use of highway toll revenues with current law. Toll facilities that received Federal approval under the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (STURRA) may use toll revenues only for the construction, reconstruction, operation and debt service of the toll facility itself. Current law, however, allows other toll facilities to use toll revenues (in addition to the costs noted above) on other title 23 projects. The tighter restrictions, specific to the STURRA toll facilities, prevent some States from devoting existing toll revenues to other critical highway projects. Adjusting the STURRA “use of revenues” provisions to align with current toll authorities would free these resources and allow other critical highway projects to go forward.
With bids from six competitors, Public Works Director Mark Moriarty picked low bidder Martin Laviero Contractor Inc., which offered $7,495,628. About $2.37 million will come from city bonding, more than $2.7 million from state grants and $1.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration. The remaining money will come from miscellaneous grants.
The project, the fifth phase of the city’s Complete Streets master plan, is tentatively scheduled to begin in April.
The Common Council, which meets Wednesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers, is also expected to accept a few state grants related to after-school programs.
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is requesting approval of two after-school grants from the state Department of Education and a Housing and Urban Development grant totaling $348,920. This is year one of the two-year After School Grant.
Students in grades 3 through 5 will be attending the program from 3:35 to 5:45 p.m.
The grants will fund the program’s major components and themes: academic support, enrichment, recreation and wellness and family engagement.
The parks department provides after-school programs at seven elementary schools: Chamberlain, Gaffney, Jefferson, Lincoln, Northend, Smith and Smalley.
Construction is up across the country
NEW BRITAIN-Construction employment across the country increased by 36,000 jobs in January, according to new data by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Association officials said this is the highest level of job growth since August 2008.
“The construction industry has consistently added workers at nearly double the rate of the overall economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The outlook remains positive for further growth in the industry.”
During President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address last week, he called on Congress to produce a bill that would invest $1.5 trillion on fixing the nation’s infrastructure.
If the bill comes to fruition, Association officials said it would help the sector continue to add jobs and attract new workers.
Construction employment totaled approximately 7 million in January with a gain of 36,000 for the month. Over a 12 month period – from January 2017 to January 2018 – construction employment gained 226,000 jobs or an increase of 3.3 percent.
In addition, both residential and nonresidential construction saw an increase of 3.3 percent over a 12 month period. Residential construction gained 88,400 jobs within the year and 19,000 just in January. Nonresidential construction employment gained 137, 200 positions within the year and 16,400 in January.
Despite the boost in construction jobs available, Simonson said there is a shortage of workers to fill them.
“Finding workers to complete all projects will be a challenge with unemployment so low overall and in construction,” he said.
The number of unemployed jobseekers in construction as of January is 707,000. While this is down from 859,000 a year ago, and the lowest number for January since the series began in 2000, it is still troublesome.
Simonson said the decline shows how difficult it has become for the industry to find experienced workers.
According to the Association, the average hourly earnings in the industry climbed to $29.33, a rise of 2.9 percent from a year earlier. Simonson also noted that construction pays approximately 10 percent more per hour than the average nonfarm private-sector job in the United States.
With an increase in pay as well as a new presidential push to boost infrastructure investments over the next 10 years, construction officials are hoping it will benefit infrastructure contractors.
Infrastructure contractors has been lagging at a much larger rate than other market segments, according to construction spending figures released last Thursday.
Furthermore, construction officials said the new and long-term investment in infrastructure would encourage more people to consider high-paying careers in the field.
“Bringing our aging infrastructure back to a state of good repair will support short-term economic growth while making our economy more efficient and competitive over the long-term,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.
“These new investments will also send a clear signal to new workers to consider careers in construction and the middle-class life those jobs support.
“The construction industry has consistently added workers at nearly double the rate of the overall economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The outlook remains positive for further growth in the industry.”
During President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address last week, he called on Congress to produce a bill that would invest $1.5 trillion on fixing the nation’s infrastructure.
If the bill comes to fruition, Association officials said it would help the sector continue to add jobs and attract new workers.
Construction employment totaled approximately 7 million in January with a gain of 36,000 for the month. Over a 12 month period – from January 2017 to January 2018 – construction employment gained 226,000 jobs or an increase of 3.3 percent.
In addition, both residential and nonresidential construction saw an increase of 3.3 percent over a 12 month period. Residential construction gained 88,400 jobs within the year and 19,000 just in January. Nonresidential construction employment gained 137, 200 positions within the year and 16,400 in January.
Despite the boost in construction jobs available, Simonson said there is a shortage of workers to fill them.
“Finding workers to complete all projects will be a challenge with unemployment so low overall and in construction,” he said.
The number of unemployed jobseekers in construction as of January is 707,000. While this is down from 859,000 a year ago, and the lowest number for January since the series began in 2000, it is still troublesome.
Simonson said the decline shows how difficult it has become for the industry to find experienced workers.
According to the Association, the average hourly earnings in the industry climbed to $29.33, a rise of 2.9 percent from a year earlier. Simonson also noted that construction pays approximately 10 percent more per hour than the average nonfarm private-sector job in the United States.
With an increase in pay as well as a new presidential push to boost infrastructure investments over the next 10 years, construction officials are hoping it will benefit infrastructure contractors.
Infrastructure contractors has been lagging at a much larger rate than other market segments, according to construction spending figures released last Thursday.
Furthermore, construction officials said the new and long-term investment in infrastructure would encourage more people to consider high-paying careers in the field.
“Bringing our aging infrastructure back to a state of good repair will support short-term economic growth while making our economy more efficient and competitive over the long-term,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer.
“These new investments will also send a clear signal to new workers to consider careers in construction and the middle-class life those jobs support.
Design work for expanding Meriden Green begins soon
By Leigh Tauss, Record-Journal staff
MERIDEN — The city is about to begin design work for plans to extend the Meriden Green north following the demolition of the Mills Memorial Apartments.
The estimated $4 million flood control project will add about two-and-a-half acres to the park and expose a new section of Harbor Brook from Mill Street to Cedar Street, said Public Works Director Bob Bass.
“It’s going to look very similar to what is already there,” Bass said. “You are going to have the brook, continue with concrete sidewalks, probably add another foot bridge.”
The city is in the process of finalizing an agreement with engineering firm Milone & MacBroom to do the design work for $312,500, Bass said.
Design work is expected to take between nine months and a year. The project hinges on the demolition of the Mills, which is slated for spring. Construction on the new section of the green will likely not begin until 2020, Bass said. You are not going to see anything for a couple years because you have to go through the design, approvals from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, so there’s going to be some time before it moves forward,” Bass said.
From a flood control standpoint, Parks and Recreation Director Chris Bourdon said the Meriden Green has been a success. While extending the park will increase the workload on his department, Bourdon said it will be worth it if the project brings more businesses to the city.
“If the cost of spurring downtown economic development is more work for us, we’re glad to pay that price,” Bourdon said.
Durham water plan completes approval phase
By Lauren Takores, Record-Journal staff
DURHAM — The Durham-Middletown water purchase agreement received its final needed approval Monday from the Durham Board of Selectmen.
The conversation will move from planning and design to bidding and construction, First Selectman Laura Francis said. A communication plan is slated to be announced next month, after the water project team meets.
A new water main will bring clean water from Middletown to properties in the Durham Meadows Superfund site, plus homes that represent a buffer in an area where the contamination plume would most likely migrate.
The plan is to install a water tank in Middletown on Cherry Hill, near Talcott Ridge Road. The water main will run down Route 17 into downtown Durham and connect to the existing water main at the Durham center booster station.
The Environmental Protection Agency will fund 90 percent of the project and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will cover the rest as required by the state Superfund contract.
Edward Hathaway, of the EPA New England Region and project manager for Durham Meadows Superfund site, said the EPA expects to go out to bid on construction in March or April.
Construction is estimated to take two years to complete. Water could start flowing in 2020.
The EPA completed removal of contamination in the soil at the former Merriam Manufacturing Company in 2012, and has completed a design to remove contaminated soil from the Durham Manufacturing Company property, Hathaway said Tuesday.
Removal of the contaminated soil will limit the contamination that is continuing to leach into the bedrock groundwater aquifer.
Since the contamination plume is moving toward the Durham fairground wells, Hathaway said the plan is to take the Durham fairground wells offline and connect the fairground to the new water main.
“In addition, monitoring wells will be installed to keep track of the extent of groundwater contamination,” he said.
Francis said the fairground wells system was designed and built to be able to connect to a new system, if and when it became contaminated.
While designing the new water system, two new houses were tested for contamination, which provided proof the plume is moving.
“The movement convinced us we should disconnect (the fairground wells) sooner rather than later,” Francis said.
First Glimpse At Design For East Windsor Casino Includes 5-Story Parking Garage
The casino planned for East Windsor would be built with a one-story gambling venue and a five-level, 1,800-space parking garage at the site of a vacant movie theater that’s now visible from I-91.
Drawings have been submitted to the town and are little more than a rough sketch. But the plans provide the first glimpse at the thinking behind the $300 million development.
In addition to the parking garage, the drawings show space for another 400 vehicles on surface lots.
This week, the town planning and wetlands regulation boards will get their first look at the plans. More detailed plans will be submitted before final approvals are sought, including updated renderings.
“These plans don’t have a lot of details,” First Selectman Robert Maynard said. “But they are definitely moving forward.”
The East Windsor casino — the first off a tribal reservation in Connecticut — has been framed as part of a strategy to compete with MGM Resorts International’s $960 million casino and entertainment complex just up the highway in Springfield. MGM Springfield is expected to open in September.
The legislature last year approved the expansion by the operators of Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun to partner in opening the East Windsor casino. The idea is to preserve the state’s cut of monthly slot revenue in tight fiscal times and hold on to jobs tied to the gaming industry. Both are seen as vulnerable to MGM.
Demolition of the long-abandoned Showcase Cinemas is now scheduled for Feb. 28.
“Would we have liked to see the demolition in October or November?” Maynard said. “Sure. But they are not that far behind.”
There is no timetable for actual construction of the new gambling venue. Once all local zoning approvals are secured, it will take a month to review an application for a building permit, Maynard said.MMCT Venture — the partnership of the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans — purchased the 26-acre theater site in July for $4 million from National Amusements, according to town records.
Andrew Doba, a spokesman for the tribal joint venture, said: “We’re making progress and look forward to continue working with our partners locally and in state government in the fight to save jobs and revenue.”
Work on the site was first expected to begin by the end of last year. Even with the delay, leaders of the two casino say they are focused on the project. They point to the hiring of an architectural firm, JCJ Architecture of Hartford; a general contractor, Tutor Perini Building Corp., based in California; construction manager Bertino & Associates, of New Jersey; and marketing firm Cronin of Glastonbury. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Transportation Construction Coalition Statement on Release of White House Infrastructure Plan, FY 2019 Budget Proposal
The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) released the following statement in response to the Feb. 12 release of the Trump administration's Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America and FY2019 Budget request.
"The 31 national associations and trade union members that make up the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) are pleased to see the arrival of President Trump's long-awaited infrastructure package and budget proposal put forward today. The Administration is wisely seeking to change the dialogue that has been largely absent in Washington for more than a decade and proposing something extra to current programs that aims to improve highway and transit infrastructure performance rather than the focus continuing on just maintaining current conditions. The TCC also supports the President's outlined efforts to identify procedural changes to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects as well as the expansion of programs to enhance state, local and private sector investment.
“At the same time the Administration seems to be taking two steps forward, it also takes one, or more, steps back. We oppose the simultaneous call for eliminating transit capital and other transportation construction grant programs put forward in the President's FY 2019 budget. The same budget points out the need for a permanent resolution to the Highway Trust Fund's fiscal instability, but falls short of proposing any meaningful solutions.
“All eyes are now on Congress to send to the President for his signature an infrastructure package, before the August recess, that both provides additional resources to help improve, not just maintain, our nation's infrastructure. There is no better way to do just that than by passing a package that includes a permanent, growing, user-based Highway Trust Fund revenue solution. The TCC looks forward to working with Members of Congress in the coming weeks to help them do exactly that.”
For more information, visit www.transportationconstrutioncoalition.org.
White House Plan Calls for Streamlining Project Delivery and Giving States Flexibility to Toll Interstate Highways
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Executive Director and CEO, Patrick D. Jones, issued the following statement in response to the official release of President Trump's infrastructure plan, “Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America."
“We commend the administration for focusing on the need to reinvest in America's infrastructure. We also applaud the administration's proposal to give states flexibility to toll interstate highways to help rebuild them. While tolling is not appropriate in every circumstance, it is a proven tool that speeds project delivery and provides a steady stream of funding for future road maintenance and improvements. We look forward to working closely with the administration and Congress on a robust plan to improve America's vital transportation infrastructure.”
There are 129 distinct toll entities in the U.S. operating 327 separate toll road, bridge and tunnel facilities in 35 states that account for nearly 6,200 mi. of roadway and 5.7 billion trips per year. Some of the highest capacity, Interstate quality highways in America would never have been built without tolling.
To speak with Patrick Jones or any of IBTTA's members working daily in states and localities throughout the country to keep Americans moving forward, please contact Bill Cramer at bcramer@ibtta.org or 202-210-2962 (mobile) or visit www.IBTTA.org.
Building a Stronger America: President Trump's American Infrastructure Initiative
Pages 20 to 21 of that document states the following:
Provide States Tolling Flexibility
Provide States flexibility to toll on Interstates and reinvest toll revenues in infrastructure. Currently, Federal law allows tolling Interstates in limited circumstances. Tolling restrictions foreclose what might otherwise serve as a major source of revenue for infrastructure investment. Providing states flexibility to toll existing Interstates would generate additional revenues for states to invest in surface transportation infrastructure. Current requirements that states must reinvest toll revenues in infrastructure would continue to apply.
Reconcile the grandfathered restrictions on use of highway toll revenues with current law. Toll facilities that received Federal approval under the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 (STURRA) may use toll revenues only for the construction, reconstruction, operation and debt service of the toll facility itself. Current law, however, allows other toll facilities to use toll revenues (in addition to the costs noted above) on other title 23 projects. The tighter restrictions, specific to the STURRA toll facilities, prevent some States from devoting existing toll revenues to other critical highway projects. Adjusting the STURRA “use of revenues” provisions to align with current toll authorities would free these resources and allow other critical highway projects to go forward.