The SOGR Program provides funding to repair, replace or rehabilitate publicly or Amtrak owned or controlled railroad equipment, infrastructure and facilities. The SOGR Program is intended to improve intercity passenger rail performance. Eligible projects include upgrading infrastructure, such as track, switches, bridges and highway-rail grade crossings; stations; and equipment, including passenger cars.

The Department of Energy aims to use quantum dots and other novel technologies, advancing bioenergy research through an effort to reengineer plants and microbes for bioenergy conversion and production. 

July new business volume up 15% year-over-year, down 5% month-over-month and up 3 percent year-to-date. Details here. 

American Wood Council (AWC) President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Glowinski issued the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release of the Plywood and Composite Wood Products (PCWP) Risk and Technology Review (RTR) proposal: 

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $849.6 billion, new construction starts in July advanced 2% from the previous month, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. This marked the third consecutive monthly increase for total construction starts, following gains of 10% in May and 9% in June. Details here. 

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced the award of a design-build contract to start construction on the I-405, Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project. More information here. 

The LaGuardia Airport Central Terminal Building (CTB) Replacement Project is the first project to earn “Envision” recognition under Envision v3—the latest iteration of the Envision sustainable infrastructure framework developed and managed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), indicating the project delivered a heightened range of social, environmental, and economic benefits to the host and affected communities. Project details here.  

Hino ushered in a new era of manufacturing capability at the company during a grand opening ceremony that was attended by West Virginia Governor Justice, Senators Manchin and Capito, Congressman McKinley, local government officials, dealers, customers, suppliers and media. More about the ceremony and new facility here. 

During the first half of 2019, six of the top 10 United States metropolitan markets for commercial and multifamily construction starts ranked by dollar volume registered greater activity compared to a year ago, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Of the top 20 markets, 13 were able to register gains. Details here.