DOT report: U.S. highways, bridges have improved
A recent report by the Department of Transportation (DOT)
has concluded that the condition of the nation’s interstate
highways and bridges has improved during the past decade, a
finding that runs counter to the conventional wisdom that the
U.S. infrastructure is systemically falling apart.
The report, which was devoted to laying out a roadmap for
the DOT’s strategic initiatives through fiscal 2015, found that
the percentage of vehicle miles traveled on interstate roads
having what DOT called “good ride quality” increased to 57
percent in 2009 from 46 percent in 2000.
In addition, DOT, citing data from the Government
Accountability Office, concluded that the percentage of
bridges classified as “structurally deficient” or “functionally
obsolete” declined to 29. 4 percent in 2009 from 30. 9 percent
in 2002. DOT found that most of the progress was made in fix-
ing “structurally deficient” bridges in need of significant main-
tenance, rehabilitation, or replacement. The findings also cov-
ered bridges not part of the interstate system; most of the
nation’s bridges are considered “short span” and do not con-
nect portions of the interstate network.
The DOT report cautioned, however, that increasing freight
volumes moving by truck would continue to put stress on the
nation’s roads. “Without adequate investment in the road net-
work or diversion of freight to rail or water transport alterna-
tives, there may be adverse consequences in safety and effi-
ciency should road conditions worsen in the future,” the
report said. DOT officials have begun an aggressive campaign
to convince shippers to consider water and intermodal as
alternatives to over-the-road trucking.
The agency also warned that “significant challenges
remain in addressing bridge deficiencies,” saying that current
levels of federal, state, and local funding are “insufficient” to
sustain the long-term condition of the bridge network. “If
combined investment in the coming years is sustained at
2006 levels ... the backlog of potential cost-beneficial bridge
improvements is projected to increase 13. 9 percent by
2026,” the report said.
—M.S.
; Testa Produce has announced
plans for the construction of a
91,000-square-foot distribution
facility located in the Chicago
Stockyards Industrial Corridor. The
company plans to seek a LEED Platinum certification from
the U.S. Green Building Council for the facility, which is
expected to include a wind turbine and solar panels as well
as many other environmental features.
ground breakers
; OHL, a Nashville, Tenn.-based third-party logistics service
provider, has leased 183,500 square feet of a facility located
in Bolingbrook, Ill., from Champion Realty Advisors. OHL
has leased the space as part of the expansion of its existing
I- 55 corridor distribution operations. The 453,090-square-
foot industrial building has a Silver LEED rating.
; Saddle Creek Corp., a Lakeland, Fla.-based third-party
logistics service provider, has signed a five-year lease with
ProLogis for a 432,308-square-foot warehouse/distribution
facility in Ontario, Calif. Industrial real estate firm Grubb &
Elli represented Saddle Creek in the transaction.
; Weber Distribution has opened a new facility in Stockton,
Calif. The company will provide LTL, truckload, storage, and
value-added services from the site.
; Techtop Motor LHP has opened a 60,000-square-foot
logistics center in Columbus, Ind. Techtop Motor is a recently formed joint venture between Indiana-based LHP
Technologies and China-based Shanghai Top Motor and
Simo Motor.
; Whirlpool Corp. has announced plans to build a 1 million-square-foot regional distribution center in Wilmer, Texas, to
serve the southern United States. The move is part of a
nationwide consolidation of the appliance maker’s regional
distribution centers. Once the new DC is completed,
Whirlpool expects to vacate most or all of the space it currently leases in the Carter Industrial Park in South Fort Worth.
; The Georgia Ports Authority has announced the establishment of a new Savannah distribution center for Diageo,
importer of Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick’s beers and ales.
The center will occupy part of a 325,000-square-foot building in the Savannah Logistics Center and serve as the
Southeastern distribution hub for the three Irish imports.
; CDS Logistics Management Inc. has signed a 10-year
lease with First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. for 110,000
square feet of distribution space in Baltimore. CDS plans to
move its Halethorpe, Md., distribution operations to the new
Baltimore Crossroads location.
