Transportation industry

The executive director of AASHTO, John Horsley, is going out with a bang, spending the final weeks before his planned retirement pushing Congress to make authorize $50 billion of tax-credit bonds and to change fuel tax policy.

The Austin City Council is expected to approve up to $150 million of taxable revenue bonds Thursday to build a new consolidated car rental facility and parking garage at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

The Regional Transportation Authority of Illinois board approved its $3.7 billion 2013 budget on Wednesday after resolving a standoff with one of its service boards over its plans to borrow $1 billion over the next five years.

Bond-related bills pending in the Virginia House of Delegates would limit toll increases on the Dulles Toll Road and authorize the commonwealth, through authorities, to purchase and control the privately-owned Dulles Greenway.

Louisiana will upgrade more than 1,000 miles of state rural roads in 63 parishes with next week’s sale of $249.2 million of highway improvement bonds.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is seeking public input on 20-year plan that will create a strategy for improving the state’s transportation systems.

Construction delay costs for a $5.2 billion elevated rail line planned for Oahu totaled $6 million -- 31% less than lawsuit-related delays were expected to cost the city.

Detroit is expected this week to win a $25 million federal grant for a long-planned light-rail project along one of the city's main corridors.

Arizona plans to price $706 million of highway revenue bonds Wednesday as the legislature begins considering how to distribute the state's rebounding revenues.

A proposed $500 million freeway in northern Pulaski County could be funded through tolls under a plan being studied by the state and the regional planning authority.

The Illinois RTA accused American Airlines and United Airlines of avoiding $300 million in sales taxes over the last seven years by conducting some business in "sham" offices set up outside of Cook County.

The Texas Department of Transportation needs $4 billion from the current session of the state legislature to keep up with infrastructure needs in the rapidly growing state, officials said.

Chicago named members of a special advisory panel charged with protecting the public's interest in a possible lease of Midway International Airport.

The International Bridge Tunnel and Turnpike Association has announced a campaign to elevate the role of tolling in transportation funding, backed by a recent Reason Foundation study that advocates for expanded use of toll financing.

Pennsylvania has released guidelines for public-private partnerships under the state's new P3 authorization law, and announced it would accept unsolicited proposals during May and October.

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans a $500 million sale of Series 2013A transportation bonds for Wednesday, after a one-day retail period.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2013 policy agenda Thursday, calling for an increase in the federal gas tax at a time when some state leaders and industry experts are no longer pursuing that goal.

The Alameda Transportation Corridor Authority secured a trio of Single-A ratings ahead of plans to refund $290 million in senior revenue bonds.

The Virginia General Assembly will decide whether to grant itself more oversight over privatizing the state's port facilities, as well as several other bond-related questions.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has introduced his transportation plan, a major overhaul of the commonwealth's tax system that would see the state gas tax disappear in favor of higher sales taxes and other fees.