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"Sorry, ma'am, we've been out for months. They're on order from Asia." "Yes, sir, I know we're out of them. They've been shipped from Asia, sir; they're on their way... but it's taking forever. No, sir, I don't know why." Most retailers have had to make the above statement dozens of times each day for the past six to nine months. Sadder still is that even American-made goods are also unavailable, because so many American-made products are dependent on components or raw materials from Asia. Why? Why on earth does international shipping take so long nowadays? THE MAGIC OF INTERMODAL...

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. authorities seized more than $1 billion worth of cocaine Tuesday from a ship at a Philadelphia port, calling it one of the largest drug busts in American history. The U.S. attorney’s office in Philadelphia announced the massive bust on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, saying law enforcement agents seized about 33,000 pounds of cocaine from a large ship at the Packer Marine Terminal. Members of the crew were arrested and face federal charges.

WINCHESTER — The Frederick County Transportation Committee on Monday expressed concerns that the county may not get the Interstate 81 improvements it needs to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. The Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation are studying the entire length of the I-81 corridor in the Virginia, as directed by the General Assembly, to identify changes that will reduce traffic backups and crashes as well as find the funding to make those changes. The I-81 study team identified 105 projects — valued at $4.25 billion —...

WARWICK — Even before the first train rolls into the nearly completed station that will link T.F. Green Airport to Boston commuter rail service, the state Department of Transportation is adding route options to the opening schedule. According to department officials, morning routes from Providence to Warwick and evening return routes from Warwick to Providence have been added to the schedule that is expected to operate when the new train station opens in October. Until now the tentative schedule for the first runs had only included morning trains heading north from Warwick to Providence and Boston, and evening trains that...

SPRINGFIELD - The Federal Transit Administration has lifted a freeze on funding for the Union Station project, ruling that the Springfield Redevelopment Authority has satisfied requirements to become the "direct recipient" of grant money. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, said this week that the letter of approval from the federal agency is a milestone that will help advance plans for a $71 million intermodal transportation project. Union Station, built in 1926, has stood dormant since it was closed as a railroad station in 1973. "I think it signals the re-set for Union Station," Neal said. "We have been assured...

Without a doubt, passenger rail should connect to Tampa International Airport, where parking fees can rival the cost of a flight. A seamless rail connection would help maintain the airport's reputation as one of the world's best. More importantly, easier airport access would benefit local travelers and businesses. But whether to put an airport rail station in the first phase of rail construction or later is best left to experts who calculate costs and predict ridership. The first line built should be the one most likely to carry the most people every day, spark the most redevelopment and help create...

(April 3, 2007)—Gov. Rick Perry spoke out Tuesday against proposed legislation that would put a two-year moratorium on private toll road projects including the Trans-Texas Corridor and urged lawmakers to “ensure vital transportation projects continue as planned.” Several bills are pending in Austin aimed at putting the brakes on the massive highway project. State Representative Lois W. Kolkhorst of Brenham has filed a bill that would kill the project altogether and a second measure that calls for a two-year moratorium on allowing private entities from buying the rights to build and operate toll roads. During a visit with US Transportation...

Over the decades of watching the Legislature, no issue has so inflamed passions — and unified such disparate groups — as the current toll-road proposals winding through state government. Texas Department of Transportation officials have argued that the state's highway needs greatly exceed what fuel taxes will generate, and the only way to catch up with the traffic congestion is to sell some planned and existing roads to private operators and use the cash to build other roads. Clearly, the proposal that has most inflamed opponents has been the Trans-Texas Corridor, a massive 50-year project for which the state would...