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New poll: An innovative new robot is being deployed by the U.S. DOT's Federal Highway Administration to help inspect the safety and structural integrity of concrete bridge decks. Is machine better than man to execute this task?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

With further delay, introducing . . .

I was a Labor Day baby. It’s really my holiday. What I mean is, in my world the planets are all aligned that weekend, and my feelings always seem to be dead on. I have a...

New poll: The new Mississippi River Bridge could be named in halves. Missouri passed a bill to name it the Stan Musial Bridge. Illinois, however, wants to name its half the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge. Do you agree with the two names?

Take our weekly poll today at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

EDITORIAL: Earning a K grade

"They pitch from the stretch! I just don’t understand it!” My wife was about to dump the half-eaten bowl of Lucky Charms on my head by now, and it probably would have done me...

New poll: Due to a shortage of funds, Wisconsin announced it is putting major projects on hold, but is assuring the motoring public they will still be completed on time. Do you think these projects will hit their deadline dates?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

ITS: Scott Belcher gives the inside view

At the recent Intelligent Transportation Society of America meeting, I had the chance to sit down with Scott Belcher, president and chief executive officer of ITS America...

New poll: President Barack Obama is expected to nominate Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as the next Transportation Secretary. Other than being the mayor of Charlotte, do you know who he is?

Take our weekly poll today and feel free to send any comments to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

New poll: The Illinois House has approved legislation that would require motorists to obey school-zone speed limits whenever a child is present—not just during school hours. Do you agree with this measure?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

Germany roads are the Mercedes to our Pinto

They say over 90% of the city of Munich, Germany, was rebuilt after World War II. Apparently, the urban dwelling was a heavy target of the Allies, who left crater calling...

New poll: Of the proposals in President Obama’s budget proposal of last week, which do you think is the most likely to be passed by Congress?

To take our weekly poll, click here, and feel free to leave a comment.

New poll: Innovation NewsBriefs has suggested that the public sees no signs of crumbling infrastructure and is skeptical of alarmist calls for more infrastructure spending. Do you agree?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, or feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

TRIP: 51% of Nevada’s major roads are poor or mediocre

At a time when the state faces a large and growing transportation funding shortfall, more than half of Nevada’s major locally and state-maintained roads are in either poor or...

EDITORIAL: Should have babied it

I’ve been greeted with a Hello Kitty too many times over the last few weeks, and it’s usually in the middle of the night. My youngest, Declan, is carrying on the deep family...

New poll: The latest ASCE report card shows roads and bridges are improving in the U.S. The grade for bridges improved to a C+, while road conditions elevated to a D. Do you agree with the grades?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, or feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

I hope these two stay together

I over-booked. Again. Every time I am gearing up for another fantasy sports draft, I hit the local bookstore and can never decide which forecast carries the best...

New poll: The FHWA is proposing to divide the MUTCD into two smaller documents, one with federal requirements and the second with recommended practices. Will such a division make the manual easier to use?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

Small bat delays big highway project

The discovery of an endangered bat is delaying design work on a proposed interchange on I-80 near West Des Moines, Iowa, according to the Des Moines Register. The lone female...

New poll: Last week, the House passed a continuing resolution that calls for cuts in MAP-21 transportation spending levels. Do you think there is a real threat that federal money for road and bridge work could get cut this year?

Take our weekly poll at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

EDITORIAL: A friendly exchange

A grassy field was the only harmless separation of this relationship. I grew up three houses up from my best friend, Rich. Well, it was more like a vacant lot and two houses...

New poll: Some of the top economists are saying that the sequester will not soften the economy. In fact, they claim conditions will improve by the end of 2013, and take off in 2014. Do you believe it?

Take our weekly poll today at www.roadsbridges.com, and feel free to send a comment to bwilson@sgcmail.com.

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Industry News

BRIDGE COLLAPSE: Washington bridge collapses into Skagit River

A portion of a bridge on I-5 collapsed into the Skagit River near Mount Vernon, Wash., Thursday, and national and state investigators are working to...

BREAKING: I-5 Bridge in Wash. state collapses

The I-5 Bridge over the Skagit River in rural Washington state collapsed Thursday night, dropping vehicles into the water. State police believe...

ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Indiana governor committed to finishing I-69 work

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence wants to finish what was started on I-69, but will need a jolt of financial energy for the final stretch. At an...