Transportation & Infrastructure
Coverage of the Department of Transportation and everything related to the nation's infrastructure.
Seeking to counter China, U.S. awards $3 billion for EV battery production in 14 states
The Biden administration is awarding over $3 billion to U.S. companies to boost domestic production of advanced batteries and other materials used for electric vehicles, part of a continuing push to reduce China’s global dominance in battery production for EVs and other electronics.
Boeing contract talks stall as strike nears one week
Boeing’s contract negotiations with its striking union fell apart Wednesday after both parties failed to agree on key issues.
Australian to pay fuel costs and fine for midair outburst that forced plane to turn around
An Australian man has to pay $5,743 in fuel costs and a fine of $5,989 after his behavior on a 2023 flight forced the pilot to double back to the airport.
Southwest shakes up board after coming under pressure from big shareholder
Southwest Airlines will revamp its board and the chairman will retire next year, but it intends to keep CEO Robert Jordan after a meeting with hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which has sought a leadership shakeup at the airline including Jordan’s ouster.
Small plane crashes near Los Angeles County roadway, leaving pilot and passenger critically injured
A single-engine plane crashed Friday near El Segundo Boulevard in Hawthorne, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The pilot and passenger were hospitalized with critical injuries.
No, the red robots on D.C. sidewalks aren’t handing out parking tickets
Red robots that have been spotted on D.C. sidewalks are part of a D.C. Department of Transportation pilot program to help manage signs and sidewalks in the nation’s capital, the agency said this week — not to hand out parking tickets.
Volvo abandons goal to sell only EVs by 2030
Swedish automaker Volvo on Thursday announced it’s no longer aiming to sell only electric vehicles by the end of the decade, citing shifting market trends.
Verizon buying Frontier in $20 billion deal to strengthen its fiber network
Verizon is buying Frontier Communications in a $20 billion deal to strengthen its fiber network.
Maryland officials select firm to rebuild collapse bridge in Baltimore
Maryland transportation officials on Thursday chose a Nebraska-based firm to begin rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Deadly crashes in District on track to match last year despite fleet of traffic cameras
Traffic deaths in the District are on pace to match last year’s spike, despite a growing web of enforcement cameras at intersections and along busy roads.
Robot taxi company expands airport pickup operations in Phoenix
Google’s robotaxi company Waymo is now offering 24/7 curbside pickup at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, in yet another expansion for the autonomous vehicle company.
Southwest Airlines is polling customers on scrapping free-bags policy
Southwest Airlines is surveying its customers asking whether the air carrier should change its current bag policy, where fliers can check two bags for free.
GM’s Cruise robotaxi recalls 1,200 vehicles to close federal probe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Thursday that it’s ending its investigation into General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi after the company issued a recall affecting nearly 1,200 of its autonomous vehicles.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore recounts how Harris helped in bridge disaster
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the state’s first Black governor, said Vice President Kamala Harris called him after Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March 26 and promised the federal government’s help.
European Union to switch from stamping passports to electronic entry and exit in November
Travelers looking to collect a European Union stamp in their passport book have only months left to do so; the multinational bloc is implementing an electronic entry-and-exit system starting on Nov. 10.
Paul, Grassley question TSA in alleged targeting of Tulsi Gabbard, others for their political views
Sens. Rand Paul and Chuck Grassley are raising concerns that the Transportation Security Administration may be improperly using watchlists and screening procedures to target individuals for their political views.
Tesla to recall 9,000 vehicles over faulty roof trim
Tesla is recalling 9,136 of its Model X sports utility vehicles after discovering an issue with the roof trim that could cause car parts to separate.
Climate activists protest at several German airports in the latest of a string of demonstrations
Climate activists staged protests at several German airports on Thursday, forcing a temporary halt to flights at some of them in the latest of a string of similar demonstrations.
No-car Games: L.A. Olympic venues will only be accessible by public transportation
Traffic. What will you do about notorious gridlocked Los Angeles traffic? That’s the one burning question repeatedly posed to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as she prepares to receive the Olympic flag ahead of the 2028 Summer Games.
Boeing’s new CEO visits factory that makes the 737 Max, including jet that lost door plug in flight
A new chief executive takes over at Boeing on Thursday, and he plans to walk the floor of the factory near Seattle that has become the heart of the aerospace giant’s troubles.
Part of Frankfurt Airport’s power supply cut overnight by a dormouse, but effect on flights limited
Part of Frankfurt Airport’s power supply was cut off for several hours during the night after a dormouse caused a short-circuit at an electricity substation, officials said Tuesday. The power cut had only a limited effect on flights.
