BIM and 3D modeling have been used extensively and successfully in vertical building construction. Contractors, state DOTs and other public owners are now recognizing its application and value in the construction of highways, bridges and other civil projects. Civil Information Modeling (CIM) can lead to better estimates, early identification of design conflicts and flaws, more efficient construction operations, safer and more economic traffic management plans, better communications with the public, enhanced cooperation among the construction team, more profitable projects and other benefits.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.), and other House Republican leaders announced at a press conference today their plans to soon introduce H.R. 7, the "American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act". The legislation will include a five-year reauthorization of the surface transportation programs and will allow for expanded offshore oil and gas drilling, oil shale production, and Arctic National Wildlife Reserve oil exploration.

This afternoon, the House of Representatives started debate on H.R. 2112, a so-called “minibus” bill that provides federal funding for the Departments of Transportation; Housing & Urban Development, Agriculture; and Commerce/Justice/Science).  Once the "minibus" passes the House, it will be considered by the Senate where it is also likely to pass.   The funding level in the "minibus" represents a $7 billion decrease from last year.  Among the items getting “zeroed-out” for no funding are high speed rail and a national infrastructure bank.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced today that the House will pass surface transportation reauthorization legislation before the end of 2011. In his statement Speaker Boehner said, “In the coming weeks, House Republicans will formally introduce an energy & infrastructure jobs bill, and hope to move the legislation through the House before the end of the year.  House Republicans oppose wasteful ‘stimulus’ spending, and instead favor an approach that combines an expansion of American-made energy production with initiatives to repair and improve infrastructure and reform the way infrastructure money is spent.”

Environment and Public Works Committee to Markup Transportation Reauthorization Next Week Senate Democrat and Republican transportation infrastructure spending proposals failed to gain the 60 votes necessary to be considered for passage.  AGC urged Senators to set aside both proposals and focus on passing a multiyear transportation reauthorization bill, parts of which will be marked up  on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the Environment and Public Works Committee.

AGC joined forces with Reps. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) to circulate a letter to Republicans in the House of Representatives calling on Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to take action on a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill.

This week, the Senate approved the fiscal year 2012 transportation appropriations legislation that would fund the highway program in FY 2012 at the same level as FY 2011 and boost transit funds. The transportation funding was bundled together with two other appropriations bills, called a minibus, in an attempt to expedite completion of some of the funding measures necessary to keep the federal government operating. A continuing resolution is currently in place until Nov. 18 to keep government programs operating at last year’s funding levels.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) said this week in several public statements that his committee will produce a transportation reauthorization bill of $285 billion over six years and that he expects the House to pass the legislation before the latest authorization extension expires in March. He pointed out that there is growing sentiment within the House that the transportation legislation is an important part of an economic recovery and jobs package.

The bipartisan leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Max Baucus (D-Mont.), and subcommittee Ranking member David Vitter (R-La.) announced today that they will markup a two-year surface transportation bill on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 10:00 a.m.  According to the announcement, the bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), maintains spending at current levels plus inflation, greatly increases leveraging of federal dollars, and reforms the programs’ administration.

The Senate began consideration this week of the FY 2012 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations legislation. Congress has failed to enact any of the appropriations bills necessary to fund the federal government in FY 2012, and the stop gap continuing resolution currently in place expires on Nov. 18. The transportation appropriations bill has been consolidated with two other appropriations bills in an attempt to expedite the process. A final vote on the legislation is expected late tonight or tomorrow.