To ensure bridges and the overall roadway are minimally intrusive to surrounding communities, Maryland's $2.5 billion Intercounty Connector highway features an extensive program of landscaping, sound barriers, and retaining walls. Photo: GeoStructures

Despite continuing economic distress and uncertainty about the amount and timing of reauthorization of federal transportation funding, many states, cities, and counties – as well as private-sector organizations – are finding ways to push large transportation projects forward. The second annual CE News Transportation Projects Roadmap lists 58 notable transportation infrastructure projects in the United States – ranked by estimated cost – that are currently in some stage of planning, design, or construction. The list includes 29 road/highway/bridge projects worth more than $50 billion in total, 17 rail/transit projects estimated at a total of more than $100 billion, eight port/waterway projects totaling more than $8 billion, and four airport projects adding to almost $15 billion.

Because of their long-term nature, most of the projects on this year's list were on the inaugural Transportation Projects Roadmap in 2010. Even so, there are differences. Project delays because of funding or permitting issues have changed some construction start and completion dates, as well as estimated costs. Some projects, such as the Ohio River Bridges Project, are being re-evaluated to find less expensive alternatives. Other projects have been cancelled, such as the high-speed rail projects in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Florida. And of course, some projects are nearing completion or have been completed.

A single international project – widening of the Panama Canal locks – has had a significant impact on port, bridge, roadway, and rail projects in the Eastern United States. In anticipation of handling large container ships that will be able to pass through the canal beginning in 2014, ports from New England to South Florida are proposing, planning, and undertaking dredging, bridge clearance (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Bayonne Bridge project), and terminal construction projects. Landside projects to move cargo more efficiently to inland markets also are in the works, such as Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor project and CSX's National Gateway project.

Because of the number of uncertainties inherent in large construction projects, the CE News Transportation Projects Roadmap is a dynamic resource. Some projects will drop from the list as they are completed or become casualties of insufficient funding or public opposition; many more (hopefully) will be added. Additionally, some notable projects have likely been overlooked. Please help us improve the accuracy, completeness, and value of this list by submitting information, photos, and website links of large projects – estimated costs of $100 million or more – to bdrake@zweigwhite.com.

Water Projects Pipeline
The November 2011 issue of CE News will feature a Water Projects Pipeline, listing significant stormwater, wastewater, and potable water projects across the United States that are in some stage of planning, design, or early construction. Please contribute to this resource by e-mailing to bdrake@zweigwhite.com as much of the following information as possible about relevent projects: Project name, location, owner/sponsor, estimated cost, estimated or actual construction start date, estimated completion date, project website, and project delivery method (design-bid-build, design-build, or public-private partnership).