What civil engineers are reading this week

• What can engineers learn from canceled Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project?

  The $2.9 billion project aimed to reverse land loss in a Louisiana basin by channeling sediment from the Mississippi River. Why was it canceled, and what has been the fallout?

• California High-Speed Rail Authority’s ‘wasteful’ spending criticized by its inspector general

  The entity paid more than $2 million in questionable expenses for consultants while facing a financial crisis, the watchdog says.

• NYC lawmakers seek ‘low-traffic neighborhoods’

  The bill would mean changes to streets in five New York City neighborhoods “with a focus on creating low-traffic neighborhoods through directing traffic away from residential areas.”

• Launch of project utility engineering certification sets a ‘new bar’ for the specialty

  ASCE’s new Board-Certified Project Utility Engineer certification helps ground a specialty considered still in its infancy. What are the requirements engineers will need to earn a BC.PUE credential?

• Full construction on Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project to begin

  With $3.2 billion in financing in place, work can begin on Alabama’s Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project, one of the largest infrastructure projects in state history, officials say.

• Underwater habitat off Florida Keys sets stage for even more ambitious projects

  Vanguard, a four-person underwater habitat 4.5 miles off the Florida Keys, will support research while serving as a test bed for future undersea projects. Learn about the history and engineering that made it possible.