Title: TEA-21 AND AVIATION WORK SHOULD SPARK A BOOM YEAR
Abstract: The first big surge of funds from 1998's Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), along with state matching money, should keep highway construction hopping all around the country in 1999. Local transit agencies, too, with fattened TEA-21 accounts, are gearing up to improve existing lines and launch new links. Aviation work continues to be hot in all regions, as airports drive to upgrade and expand terminals and runways to handle increased passenger and freight volumes. Some problems have also surfaced in the plentiful environment. With a surge of road contracts, states worry that bidding lists will shrink and push up project costs. Design firms are hustling to add staff to handle the burst of new work. With unemployment down, contractors may find a tough market for skilled laborers and other craft workers. Aviation also faces the March 31, 1999, expiration of funding authority for federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) construction grants. No quick extension is likely on Capitol hill, threatening a big chunk of 1999's $1.95 billion AIP appropriation. Meanwhile, international work will also beckon to firms as foreign cities push to upgrade their own airports, ports, and transportation infrastructure. A table outlines state highway department contracting plans for new construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-25
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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