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The integrity and maintenance of our surface transportation and port systems continues to be in the spotlight throughout the U.S., and this issue of ESA Connects intends to do the same.
This issue’s introduction comes from Sandy Scheda and Melissa Logue who direct our transportation work in Florida and Northern California, respectively. Their coast-to-coast perspective on these very important projects shines through the featured stories. I hope you enjoy this issue.
I'm also excited to announce the arrival of Lauren Abom, ESA’s Northern California Regional Director, who adds to our existing depth and breadth in this market. You can read more about Lauren and her experience here.
Leslie Moulton-Post
President/CEO
Keeping Us Moving
Our nation’s network of roadways, railroads, bridges, and ports keep us connected and moves people and resources to where they need to go. When our transportation systems are effective, efficient, equitable, and safe, they grow our economy and sustain our daily lives. Whether providing access to jobs and community resources, or moving the goods and materials that build our economy, well-designed and maintained transportation infrastructure has the power to improve our communities and our nation.
The transportation infrastructure and systems that sustain our lives and livelihoods often come with a cost. The transportation sector contributes 27 percent of the total climate-changing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States and is the largest contributor to GHG emissions in our economy. Roads and highways can be significant barriers to wildlife movement and can substantially contribute to decline and mortality of important wildlife. And our most vulnerable communities too often suffer from the twofold blows of lack of equitable access to the affordable and effective transportation needed to conduct the fundamental business of life while also often suffering disproportionate effects of air pollution from roadways and port operations.
National, state, and local policies and programs, and the agencies and individuals that implement them, aim to build and maintain safe, effective, clean, and more equitable transportation systems that mitigate these damages and help our nation and communities thrive. ESA is proud and excited to share this issue of ESA Connects, covering our latest work partnering with our clients to help them reach their environmental goals and deliver important projects in the transportation sector. From West Coast ports looking to decarbonize their operations, to wildlife crossings for panthers in Florida, to improving equality in mobility access, and more – our teams are providing multi-benefit solutions to help our clients leverage the once-in-a-generation investment that is the IIJA funding and deliver projects that will shape our communities and nation for decades.
Stories from the field to your inbox.
How Managing Data is Key to Decarbonizing U.S. Ports
Ports play a vital role in the movement of goods around the globe, and they also play a big part in our greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The good news is that the industry recognizes the need to change. Learn how data management can help the industry reach complete decarbonization by 2050. Learn more »
IIJA Fuels Nationwide Infrastructure Update
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is the largest source of public works funding in our nation's history. Learn what types of projects are eligible for these funds, and how this money will be distributed through available grants and federal agency programs. Learn more »
Road Work Ahead: Putting IIJA Funding to Use
Did your project receive federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and do you have questions about where to go next? We've got answers! ESA has assembled a comprehensive FAQ list to help advise clients that are seeking to obtain or have obtained federal funding through the IIJA. Learn more »
Partnerships Help Restore Habitats Along Freight Rail Corridors
Restoration is underway in Puget Sound to replace existing railroad embankments and culverts along a 73-mile stretch of shoreline, and improve crucial fish passage routes used by migrating anadromous salmon and trout in the Sound. Learn more »
Where the Wild Things Roam: Creating Safer Crossings for Animals and Motorists
Every year, one to two million large animals are struck by vehicles throughout our nation's vast network of roads and highways. Promising new federal and state legislation is helping to fund much-needed wildlife crossing projects and enable transportation agencies to prioritize crossings in infrastructure planning. Learn more »
More Than Just the Ride: The Pursuit of Mobility Justice
Building transportation systems equitably and inclusively at the outset is growing increasingly central to transportation planning and implementation to repair historic harms from transportation decisions and to increase access to mobility options. Learn more »
In Other News
ESA Welcomes Lauren Abom as Northern California Regional Director
Tracking Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding in California
President Biden Breaks Ground on Major Rail Tunnel Project
Wishing ESA's Southeast Biological Resources and Restoration Director Tom Ries a Fond Farewell in His Retirement
Environmental Protection Agency to Consider Altering PM2.5 Air Standards
ESA is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore—for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years and 600+ people strong in offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.
