The Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge was signed Nov. 20 by leaders of 14 California public agencies, construction industry firms and a labor union group.

Fourteen public and private sector infrastructure executives signed the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge and EIP launched its California Plan initiative at ENR’s LA Infrastructure Forum on Nov. 20.

Fourteen public and private sector infrastructure executives signed the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge. EIP launched its California Plan initiative at ENR’s L.A. Infrastructure Forum on Nov. 20. The Forum brought together hundreds of infrastructure leaders from across the Southland and the nation, who marked the second anniversary of the federal infrastructure law as the 10 Freeway was reopened after emergency repairs.

Fourteen public and private sector infrastructure executives on Nov. 20 signed the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Pledge. The signing took place at Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) LA Infrastructure Forum, which also included the launch of EIP’s California Plan initiative.

Promoting business opportunities for all, while creating good jobs and developing shovel worthy infrastructure and climate action projects, is not a pipe dream. And yet our traditional ways of operating won’t get us there. Simple spending more, rather than smarter and more fairly, won’t be enough. Business as usual is neither inclusive, protective or coordinated enough, and it often lacks a vision for what the market for contracts and good jobs could be.

In late March, Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler and Assistant Director for Equity and Civil Rights Erika McCalpine attended a signing ceremony for the Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP).

Chicago and Philadelphia have signed an agreement that would allow small and minority-owned businesses to work for both agencies under one certification.

Transit agencies in Chicago and Philadelphia signed an agreement Monday to share their small business certification databases, in what they hope will be a first step toward a national database that would boost hiring of historically underutilized businesses.

Two major transit agencies signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to recognize one another’s certified small and minority owned businesses—an effort aimed at bringing more equity to contracting for transportation projects.

Chicago and Philadelphia’s reciprocal arrangement for disadvantaged businesses could become a national model.