Nearly $15 million for green-minded transportation solutions around the Pittsburgh area is coming from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the agency announced Thursday. Read the full story here.

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The Boulevard of The Allies SR885 Bridge Redesign and Reconstruction Project is complete. All associated roadways and access ramps are now open. Visit the project site to learn more about this critical Oakland/PennDOT gateway project.

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Registration for the "Ready, Set, Walk!" Challenge begins today, May 1, 2009. Interested participants can register online through June 1, 2009.

Just for participating, all walkers receive a walking resource kit that will include a t-shirt and pedometer among other goodies. A grand prize will be awarded to the walker who logs the most steps before the wrap up celebration on July 20, 2009. Additionally, second and third place prizes will be awarded to the top walkers from each neighborhood challenge (Airport, Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland).

For details or to register online, visit http://www.otma-pgh.org/rsw09.

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City of Pittsburgh: 2009 Stimulus Funded Projects. Click here for more information

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To learn more about the key objectives, funding, and regional candidate projects for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or the Economic Stimulus Act go to www.spcregion.org. For statewide projects go to Federal Highway Administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 website.

The economic stimulus package being discussed in Washington, DC has a large component focused on infrastructure investment, and with the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) set to expire in September 2009,The National Journal launched a transportation policy blog in December 2008.

The feature will ask pertinent questions about the above issues. Several key policy leaders have been tapped to provide feedback in the blog. The first post asked the question, ”How to write the next transportation bill?” Contributions from former USDOT Secretary Mary Peters, former USDOT Secretary Norm Mineta, and other state and national policy leaders can be viewed by visiting transportation.nationaljournal.com

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For commuting alternatives, we encourage you to register on www.CommuteInfo.org which will connect its registered participants via carpools and vanpools as well as providing information on bike pools and walking pools, Park-N-Ride options and Emergency Ride Home services for registered participants.

Contact OTMA at (412) 687-4505 for assistance with any ridematching questions.

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For information on additional construction in our area, contact the PennDOT Construction Hotline at (412) 429-6035 or visit www.dot.state.pa.us.

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For an opportunity to see the latest traffic conditions via Webcam, access PennDOT Engineering District 11-0 highway traffic cameras.

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Pittsburgh Area Traffic from Traffic.com

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Mon Fayette Expressway Design Advisory Teams, Monthly Meetings and Decision Chronicles, for more information go to www.paturnpike.com/monfaydat.