The Bay Connect

This fall, Chapter 14 has been energized by both the changing season and the success of our recent gatherings. Our Fall Forum in Annapolis and Annual Crab Feast showcased not only strong participation, but also meaningful connections, collaboration, and a true sense of family within our chapter.

Chapter 14 is officially in the running to host the 2030 IRWA International Education Conference, proudly representing the Washington, D.C.–Maryland–Virginia (DMV) region as one of four finalists for this prestigious global event.

Jim Anderson. Photo by AASHTO Jim Anderson , founder and CEO of Beacon , shared a bold vision at the AASHTO 2026 Spring Meeting in Savannah, Georgia : artificial intelligence (AI) will transform how state departments of transportation (DOTs) tackle their biggest challenge—synthesizing massive volumes of unstructured documents faster and more cost-effectively than ever before. 2. The $2.5 Trillion AI Investment Wave With $2.5 trillion pouring into AI development in 2026 al

[ Above photo by AASHTO ] The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has opened applications for nearly $1 billion in Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grants, marking the final major round of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act . These competitive grants target critical safety upgrades like faster emergency response times, expanded truck parking, modernized rail crossings, and family-friendly neighborhood streets—aimed at preventing roadway fatalities and

Across the country, departments of transportation are kicking off the 2026 construction season with an ambitious slate of infrastructure investments aimed at improving safety, mobility, and long-term system resilience. From the Midwest to the Mountain West and down to Texas, five states are rolling out billions of dollars in projects that will reshape highways, bridges, and multimodal networks.

Governors and their teams are increasingly eyeing highway and rail corridors as prime real estate for the energy and broadband build‑out the country now needs. On November 4, 2025, the National Governors Association (NGA) brought together state, federal, and industry leaders in Washington, D.C., to dig into how existing transportation rights of way can carry not just vehicles—but also transmission lines, fiber, and other critical linear infrastructure.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has rolled out a new wave of transportation innovations through its Every Day Counts (EDC) program, aimed at helping states build projects faster while improving safety for the traveling public.

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and longtime member, Betsy Kelly, who passed away on February 5th. Betsy was a dedicated member of IRWA Chapter 16 for many years before retiring. She earned her SRWA designation in 1993 and served our chapter with great commitment as a Director from 2006 to 2008. From 2006 to 2010, she also contributed her expertise as the Region 4 Representative to the International Electric & Utilities Committee. A reside