TRANSPORTATION

Port of Houston Awarded New Start for Ship Channel

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

The Port of Houston recently received notification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that it was awarded a “new start” designation and $19.5 million in federal funds to begin construction of the Houston Ship Channel Expansion Channel Improvement Project. That project was authorized in the Water Resources and Development Act of 2020 as part of a larger legislative package passed by Congress in December.

The Houston Ship Channel Expansion, known as Project 11, will widen and deepen the channel for safer and more efficient navigation of vessels calling the port’s eight public terminals and more than over 200 private facilities operating along the channel.

“To go from Congressional authorization to securing a pathway for construction in less than a month is phenomenal news,” Port Houston Chairman Ric Campo said. “Project 11 will provide the greater Houston metropolitan area continued job growth and economic development opportunities, while improving air quality by reducing traffic congestion on the channel.”

Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther called the designation a momentous occasion for the port.

“We’re grateful for our bipartisan Congressional delegation and the many channel stakeholders who aggressively advocated to get this project authorized and funded,” Guenther said. “Without their continued support, we wouldn’t be in this position today.”

Harris County Precinct 2 County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who represents much of the port region, noted how important the ship channel is to the entire area, as well as the state and nation. “This new development is a huge win for the 1.1 million people in Precinct 2in part because it will bring about more economic development, which invariably leads to more jobs,” Garcia said. “However, we must also look to invest in communities surrounding the ship channel and Port Houston; that means better roadways, focused flood protection and smart infrastructure. For the working families in my precinct to truly receive the full benefit from the channel expansion project, it’s going to take a strong financial commitment.”

The award is critically important for the port and channel stakeholders, as this designation and funding will allow the Corps and the port to execute a Project Partnership Agreement and for the port to begin construction on the critical elements of the project. For the past seven years, the port, bipartisan Congressional delegation, and channel stakeholders have been working together to make this channel improvement project a reality, including writing letters and making calls to influential federal decision makers in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the “new start” designation and $19.5 million in construction funds, the Port also received $55.5 million in annual operations and maintenance funding to ensure safe and efficient vessel traffic on the current channel.

The Houston Ship Channel port complex and its public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is now the number one port in the United States in terms of total waterborne tonnage, It is also ranked first for foreign waterborne tonnage and number of vessel transits. Nearly 285 million tons of cargo moved through the Port of Houston overall in 2019.

For more information, please visit www.porthouston.com.

Source: Port Houston

AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION Public Meetings Orange Line and Blue Line Public Scoping Meetings

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

Join Capital Metro for a series of one-hour live virtual public scoping meetings focused on Project Connect's Orange and Blue Line projects. The scoping phase provides the opportunity for the public to learn about the Orange and Blue Line projects and the federal environmental review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Capital Metro will share information about the Project Connect program and will discuss the scoping process - the first step in getting federal environmental clearance for the project - including the project's draft purpose, needs, goals and objectives; the project's stakeholders; and next steps in the environmental and engineering process. Participants are invited to submit questions to CapMetro staff during a live question and answer session. Your feedback will guide design and environmental analysis for the Orange and Blue Lines.

The public scoping period will run from Jan. 25 – March 5, 2021. Visit the Capital Metro website during this time to view presentation content and provide feedback as part of their self-guided virtual open house. You can also share your comments via phone, email, and mail.

Orange Line Information: Call 512-369-7703 or email OrangeLine@capmetro.org; You can also contact by mail at: Attn: Orange Line Project Team, Capital Metro, 607 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701.

Blue Line Information: Call 512-369-7774 or email BlueLine@capmetro.org; You can also contact by mail at: Attn: Blue Line Project Team, Capital Metro, 607 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701.

Three live virtual meetings in English and one in Spanish will be held for each of the Orange and Blue Line projects. Requests for language translations or accommodations must be made to Capital Metro at least three working days (72 hours) prior to the virtual scheduled meeting date by calling 512-904-0180. To register or join virtual meetings, please visit www. capmetro.org.

Pleasant Valley and Expo MetroRapid Lines Public Meetings:

Join Capital Metro for a series of one-hour live virtual public meetings focused on Project Connect's Pleasant Valley and Expo MetroRapid lines.

Capital Metro will share information about the Project Connect program and will discuss plans for MetroRapid. Participants are invited to submit questions to staff during a live question and answer session. Your feedback will guide design for the Pleasant Valley and Expo Lines.

The public comment period will run from Feb. 2 – March 12, 2021. Visit the Capital Metro website during this time to view presentation content and provide feedback as part of their self-guided virtual open house.

Two live virtual meetings in English and one in Spanish will be held. Requests for language translations or accommodations must be made to Capital Metro at least three working days (72 hours) prior to the virtual scheduled meeting date by calling 512-904-0180. To register or join virtual meetings, please visit www. capmetro.org.

VaccineAccess

Your Ride to Receive the Vaccine:

Capital Metro is offering complimentary curb-tocurb service for eligible community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Their MetroAccess vehicles are now accepting requests from community members and healthcare providers for transportation assistance to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations through phases I and II. Complimentary trips are currently available to individual customers only at this time.

Please note: Capital Metro is only providing transportation, not the vaccine itself. Customers must secure and schedule their vaccine dose with their healthcare provider.

How to Make Your Reservation:

Call 512-369-6050 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to request your trip at least 1 day in advance.

When making the reservation, customers will need the following information:

• Pickup address • Vaccine location destination address • Requested appointment and return times • If the customer is traveling with another person or utilizing any mobility aids.

Service hours are Monday-Friday 4 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., Sun 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Service is available within the current MetroAccess ADA service area.

Customers should expect their ride to arrive within 30 minutes before or after their scheduled pickup time. When the appointment has ended, customers may call for their return pickup to be dispatched. For more information, please visit www.capmetro.org.

Source: Capital Metro

SAN ANTONIO TRANSPORTATION VIA Providing Fare-Free Connections to COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Passengers with confirmed appointments may ride to City/County vaccine clinics

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

VIA Metropolitan Transit will offer complimentary transportation for any person traveling to or from an appointment at a City/Countysponsored COVID-19 vaccination site—including the Alamodome, Wonderland of the Americas mall and others — beginning Monday, January 11, and until further notice.

This includes regular bus service, VIA Link, and VIAtrans paratransit service. VIA bus and VIA Link passengers may present their appointment registration in print or on their mobile device, and/or their COVID-19 shot record to ride fare-free on the day of their appointment. Registered VIAtrans customers must schedule their trip in accordance with VIAtrans policies and procedures by phone or online.

“VIA offers this fare-assistance program as part of our mission to ‘connect our community’ and ensure people can reach critical destinations and services, using safe, reliable public transportation options,” VIA President/ CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “We support local efforts to expand access to the COVID vaccine and will keep doing our part to help protect the health and safety of our community.”

VIA continues to provide safe, reliable essential trip options for persons who must travel during the ongoing COVID crisis. Health and safety precautions designed to slow the spread of germs will remain in place for all VIA riders and employees, including masks over the nose and mouth at all times, safe capacity limits on vehicles to allow for social distancing, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of vehicles and facilities, frequent hand washing and other good hygiene practices.

Customers are asked to only make essential trips during this time and avoid public spaces, including public transit, if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have recently been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus.

If you plan to ride VIA to your confirmed COVID-19 vaccine appointment, here’s what you need to know:

• Who can ride fare-free?

Any VIA bus, van or VIA Link passenger traveling in the VIA service area to a confirmed COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a designated City of San Antonio or Bexar County vaccination site. Please present your appointment confirmation in print or on your mobile device to the operator when boarding. You may also present the vaccine record provided when you receive your shot for the return trip. Registered VIAtrans customers must schedule their trip in accordance with VIAtrans policies and procedures by phone or online. Please mention you are traveling to a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment when making the reservation. • When is the free fare available?

On the day of your appointment. • How do I know which route serves my vaccination site?

Enter the address into VIA’s Online Trip Planner or on the VIA goMobile app to find the most convenient route, or call Customer Information at (210) 362-2020. • Where can I find more information?

Visit VIAinfo.net or call Customer Information at (210) 362-2020 for assistance.

Subcontractors USA

Texas email list for industry news, events and RFP information at www.subcusa.com

@subcusa.com @subcusa_com

SubContractors USA

@subcusa_com

USA W W W . S U B C U S A . C O M T E X A S T E X A S J O U R N A L W W W. S U B C U S A . C O M Vaskey Media Group, Inc. 7322 Southwest Freeway, Suite 800 Houston, TX 77074 phone: 713-373-5577 email: contact@subcusa.com