A Texas Panhandle businessman, Salem Abraham, is leading efforts by local towns to pressure Xcel Energy to upgrade its aging infrastructure after wildfires caused by utility poles, with plans to potentially take over the utility if safety concerns persist. The coalition of towns is also exploring legal avenues for a utility takeover, citing safety failures and community distrust, while Xcel claims to have implemented significant safety measures and infrastructure improvements.
A section of the A469 in Caerphilly is set to be closed for up to two years due to a significant landslip risk caused by ongoing land movement and increased rainfall, with repairs costing at least £20 million. The closure aims to prevent catastrophic failure and protect lives and properties, but it raises concerns among local businesses and residents about long-term disruption and economic impact. The project, delayed until autumn, is part of a long-term effort to secure the road's future and address historical landslip issues linked to past coal mining.
Repair work on a ruptured water transmission line in Cicero, NY, is expected to extend into early January, impacting water supply for several towns and prompting mandatory conservation efforts. The repair involves significant construction work, including steel sheet piling and trenching, with efforts to expedite the process. Water demand has decreased due to conservation, helping stabilize reservoirs, but ongoing repairs and water usage restrictions could affect local schools and residents.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is taking back management of Washington D.C.'s Union Station from Amtrak and a nonprofit, citing disrepair and safety concerns, with plans to invest in repairs, improve security, and potentially expand the station through public-private partnerships, aiming to restore its historic significance and functionality.
