ARTBA Update on Federal Shutdown – SCCA’s federal partner, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), reported on October 17 that the federal shutdown is having a minimal effect on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Funding for the agency is derived from the highway trust fund which “insulated them from the lapse in annual appropriations.” The update also indicated some US Department of Transportation workers from the Office of Civil Rights are being furloughed.

Some States Struggle to Fund Transportation Projects – ARTBA also posted a quick story on funding concerns for several states including Wyoming, New Hampshire and Washington. The common theme between them is that stagnant revenues are not keeping pace with higher construction costs. This is likely true across the country. 

Bloomberg: Better Paid State Engineers Reduce Construction Costs – It’s probably no surprise to those working in the Construction industry, but Bloomberg released an article that covers a conversation with a Yale researcher that finds paying state Department of Transportation engineers higher salaries results in lower construction costs.

Prepping for 2026 Transportation Reauthorization Bill – According to the Associated General Contractors of America, highway construction costs have increased a shocking 72% since late 2020. This massive increase will have to be confronted when Congress considers the next surface transportation authorization bill in 2026. The Pacific Builder & Engineer publication released an article summarizing some of the key points industry will seek during those reauthorization discussions. Those include streamlining project delivery, economic competitiveness, innovation and technology, workforce development and other similar topics.

SF MUNI Seeks ZEV Exemption – An online magazine called Mission Local has discovered what the industry has been saying for decades–the cost to remove the last ton of emissions is very expensive. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (MUNI) contains a fleet of low emission diesel-electric hybrid buses. Their emissions are very low, but a 2019 state law requires all transit buses to be zero emission. Facing a $300 million deficit in its budget, MUNI has little choice but to seek an exemption. Otherwise, getting their fleet average to zero emissions will also cost hundreds of millions.

No 2025 Summer Black Outs. Thank….Batteries? – Nevermind that California had a relatively mild summer, the Los Angeles Times is crediting the lack of rolling blackouts to California’s growing battery storage facilities. It is impressive. The state has increased the total storage capacity by 3,000% in six years, to 15,700 megawatts today. Those batteries are re-charged daily using excess solar energy. Some quick AI calculations however show that the batteries could power the entire state for 1 hour and 58 minutes if fully charged and no other generation was used. 

Brightline Costs Soar – The Engineering News Record (ENR) recently reported that the Las Vegas-California high speed rail line cost estimates have soared by 35% and that the developer is seeking a $6 billion federal loan. Estimates now place the project at $21.5 billion.

AALRR On SB 440 – SCCA affiliate member Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo (AALRR) published an alert on the passage of the “Private Works Change Order Fair Payment Act” last week. The bill, authored by previous SCCA Legislator of the Year Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), establishes a new resolution process for claims arising from change orders. 

Deep Dive into CEQA – The online political publication Politico published a very long and thorough primer on the California Environmental Quality Act. Give this is a read if you’re interested in understanding how California’s premier environmental law devolved into becoming a tool for those opposed to new growth and development.

CEQA Initiative Reform Introduced – The California Chamber of Commerce has introduced an initiative to further streamline the CEQA process, intending to ease the ability for developers to construct housing, energy, water and other construction projects in California. The proposal is an initiative and will require about 550,000 signatures to qualify and be placed on the 2026 state ballot. 

Detroit Signals End of EV Era – With federal and state incentives for consumers to purchase electric vehicles ended, EnergyWire reported that Ford and General Motors are “shifting back to building gas-powered pickup trucks and SUVs.” Wall Street positively reacted to the news with GM stock jumping 15% and Ford’s 10%. 

And from the “You Won’t Believe This One” File… – A technician working to recommission a nuclear power plant in Michigan fell into a pool of radioactive water above the reactor. The individual was decontaminated immediately but found to have about 300 counts per minute of radiation detected within the person’s hair. Thankfully, ENR reports the individual is back to work. And you thought you had a tough day at work…