Transportation industry

Construction could start as early as 2015 on a long-planned, largely bond-financed $3.5 billion trade bridge between Detroit and Windsor, the busiest trade route in the U.S.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the underlying ratings on Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission senior lien revenue bonds to A1 from Aa3.

Texas voters would be asked to approve the use of $6 billion from the state rainy day fund for water and road projects under a measure under consideration in the state Senate.

The beleaguered Orange County Transportation Authority garnered another round of criticism recently — this time from a San Francisco nonprofit recommending that the tollway agency postpone an extension to its toll road until state authorities can review the operation.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed a $500 million transportation bill that would, among other things, shore up a struggling Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

The Federal Aviation Administration has delayed closing 149 air traffic control towers until June 15, including 14 in Florida — the largest number of facilities affected in one state.

The Florida Department of Transportation has extended the time for firms interested in the $2.1 billion managed-lanes project on Interstate 4 through Orlando to submit their qualifications.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority will sell $500 million of toll-backed revenue bonds next week in the agency's first market outing as it embarks on a $12.1 billion, 15-year capital program.

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission has named its chief engineer Dave Nichols to serve as director of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

The Massachusetts House debated an alternative transportation and education financing bill one-fourth the size of what Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission Monday tapped Citi as the senior manager on $1.5 billion of bonds backed by a new pledge of Ohio Turnpike revenues.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport took another downgrade Friday as Fitch Ratings lowered the revenue bond rating to A from A-plus.

Gov. Tom Corbett has ordered a rebid of an IT contract and reviews of all vendors named in the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission pay-to-play scandal.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority will sell $200 million of Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority refunding bonds for capital projects.

A new study released by the Federal Railroad Administration lays out numerous diverse options for high-speed rail investment in the nation's heavily-populated Northeast corridor.

The Virginia General Assembly on Wednesday approved Gov. Bob McDonnell's amended transportation plan, which slashes gas taxes and is projected to pump billions into Virginia's transportation infrastructure over the next five years.

Katherine Perez-Estolano, considered an expert in transportation and land-use planning, was appointed by California Gov. Jerry Brown to the California High-Speed Rail Authority's Board.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., has introduced legislation that would make $1 billion available for federal transportation grants.

The Virginia Port Authority's decision not to pursue a public-private partnership could have a negative impact on other potential port privatization deals, according to a new report from Fitch Ratings.

Indiana last week reached financial close on a $700 million tax-exempt bond financing that finances the state's half of the $2.6 billion bi-state bridge project with Kentucky.