Briefly: Grants made to major bridge projects

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration said it is awarding $5 billion to numerous projects through Large Bridge Project pogram.

The Large Bridge Project grants focus on the reconstruction, repair and restoration of bridges that serve as critical corridors for freight travel and support the economy, FHWA said.

Large Bridge Project grants were awarded to:

Interstate 5 connecting Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington
Sagamore Bridge in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Multimodal Project in Mobile, Alabama
Interstate 83 South Bridge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
America’s River Cross in Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas
Interstate 95 (15 bridges) in Providence, Rhode Island
Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington, North Carolina
Roosevelt Memorial Bridge in Byran and Marshall counties, Oklahoma
11 Venetian Causeway bridges in Miami-Dade County, Florida
Market Street Bridge in East Steubenville, W.Va., and Steubenville, Ohio
Nogal Canyon Bridge in Socorro County, New Mexico
18^th Street Bridge in Kansas City, Kansas

“For too long, America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains and cost people time and money,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “There are currently about 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when our administration began, and today, we are proud to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America’s largest and economically significant bridges.”

FHWA said Large Bridge Project grants area available for bridges with total eligible project costs over $100 million. The minimum grant award is $50 million, and the maximum is 50% of total eligible project costs.

Priority is given to projects ready for construction, with program funding going to projects requiring pre-construction work or that will benefit from multi-year grants.

TCA adds first member from Mexico

The Truckload Carriers Association this week announced Olympic Transport as its first carrier member from Mexico.

“We are thrilled to welcome Olympic Transport to the TCA family. Their inclusion not only marks a significant milestone in our association’s history but also strengthens our position as a dynamic North American trade association,” said Jim Ward, President of TCA. “With Olympic Transport, we enhance our advocacy and representation of carriers across all of North America, ensuring a more connected and efficient cross-border trucking landscape.”

Founded in 1990 by Fernando Paez, Olympic Transport has become a pivotal player in cross-border logistics. Headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico, with strategic terminals in Nuevo Laredo, Monclova, Queretaro, Laredo, and San Antonio, Texas, the company excels in providing seamless and regulatory-compliant services across North America. Their journey to success began with Fernando’s first truck purchase in San Antonio, Texas, from a Freightliner dealership, which set the foundation for what has become a highly regarded operation known for its efficient, straightforward cross-border transport solutions.

“Joining the TCA is a proud moment for all of us at Olympic Transport. This partnership signifies our commitment to enhancing the efficiency and safety of North America’s freight transportation network,” said Olympic Transport CEO, Fernando Paez. “We look forward to contributing to and benefiting from TCA’s extensive resources and advocacy efforts, further enabling our growth and operational excellence across borders.”