Public Works Department News
A concise weekly briefing for public works directors.
September 2026
Industry / Vendor News
Funding
FHWA August Redistribution: ~$7.5B obligation limitation due Sept. 25
FHWA issued its FY 2026 August Redistribution of federal-aid highway obligation limitation to state DOTs. Just over $7.5 billion in Highway Trust Fund obligation limitation is available; states must obligate those dollars by September 25. If you are coordinating federally aided streets/bridges with a state DOT partner, confirm project readiness and obligation timing before the deadline.
Policy
USDOT “America’s Great Corridors of Commerce”: utility colocation in highway/rail ROW
USDOT’s Build America Bureau launched America’s Great Corridors of Commerce (AGCC) — a voluntary model for colocation of utilities in highway and rail rights-of-way via public-private partnerships. Federal Register notice dated September 11, 2026; written comments due October 2, 2026. Watch for possible ROW lease/revenue models and earlier utility coordination on capital projects.
Funding
Surface transportation stopgap through Dec. 11; IIJA advance appropriations not extended
Congress passed a continuing resolution funding the government through December 11, 2026, and extending surface transportation contract authority so Highway Trust Fund discretionary programs would not lapse at the Sept. 30 IIJA authorization cliff. The stopgap does not extend IIJA Division J advance appropriations (~$36.8 billion). Formula highway dollars and already-obligated projects are on firmer ground than discretionary grants — monitor CR follow-ons and reauthorization.
Featured Project
Brush College Road / Faries Parkway Overpass — Decatur, Illinois
The City of Decatur completed a two-year grade-separation project creating an overpass and jughandle connector that separates Brush College Road from Faries Parkway and the Norfolk Southern Railroad in a busy industrial/logistics area. Ribbon-cutting reported September 3, 2026. Partners cited include Norfolk Southern, ADM, Macon County, the City of Decatur, and state/federal funders.
What made it work
Freight-blocked urban crossings can be tackled with stacked federal freight + FRA crossing-elimination + state regulatory commission dollars. Quantify delay hours and safety exposure early; frame grade separation as both quality-of-life and commerce for elected officials.
Closed Auction Results
| 2008 Ford F-450 Super Duty Dump Truck — City of Gibraltar, MI | $6,450 | Sold Sep 14 |
| 2014 Ford F-550 — Borough of Sewickley, PA | $20,700 | Sold Sep 14 |
| 1998 American Road Machinery Leaf Vac — Greenwood Township, PA | $5,400 | Sold Sep 14 |
| Dresser Steel Drum Roller — Summerhill Township, PA | $3,600 | Sold Sep 10 |
| 1998 Mack Dump Truck — Rapho Township, PA | $20,600 | Sold Sep 10 |
Mara-verified closed results (2026-09-15). Bid counts not shown. Buyer fees excluded.
Scan QR code for moreClosing Soon Auctions
| Wausau Sno-go Front Mount Loader — Town of Ware | MA | Sep 16 · $3,200 |
| 2009 Sterling L9500 Dump Truck — Town of Ware | MA | Sep 16 · $2,200 |
| 2005 Sterling LT8500 Dump Truck — Town of Ware | MA | Sep 16 · $2,800 |
| 2005 Peterbilt 335 Plow/Dump — Earl Township (Lancaster Co.) | PA | Sep 16 · $60,000 |
| 2015 Ford F-550 XL Cab & Chassis — Township of Upper St. Clair | PA | Sep 16 · $6,500 |
Director Update
Featured Director
[HELD — pending opt-in] / Not published this edition
Featured Director slot held pending PowerAlmanac verify + opt-in. Do not invent a featured director.
Retirement and Hiring blocks below ship as approved. Featured Director returns when opt-in clears.
Status: Phil Mann (Gainesville, FL) profile held out of the published Featured slot pending verify + opt-in — not published in this variant.
Scan QR code for moreHiring
Greg/CEO-approved PW package (Sept 2026). Sparks caveat: first review date passed.
Celebrating Retirement
Scott Mozier / City of Fresno, CA — Public Works Director
PW Director since 2014 · with Public Works since 2002 (~24 years)
City Manager Georgeanne White announced that Scott Mozier will retire; Brian Russell (Assistant Director) succeeds him effective October 5. Mozier worked on over 1,000 capital projects largely funded through Measure C and federal/state grants.
City Manager White: “Throughout his 24 years with the City, Scott has helped secure funding, build partnerships and successfully deliver projects such as Veterans Boulevard, the Fulton Street Reconstruction Project, the Pave More Now initiative and so much more… We are grateful for his many years of service.”
Scan QR code for more