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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: October 17, 2025
Report Cites Some Revenue Positives for Postal Finances but Cautions about Expenses
(FedWeek) An inspector general report has cited some positives for USPS finances but also notes that its financial picture in recent years has benefitted from several special infusions of funding from Congress that it called “unique events.” As in other prior reports, the latest one charts financial pressures on the USPS over the last 25 years including the decline in First Class mail revenue amid increasing electronic communications; an obligation under a 2006 law to pre-fund future health care expenses for its retirees; and a cap under that law on what it could charge for “market-dominant” products such as First-Class mail, periodicals and marketing mail. One result was that by 2012, the USPS started defaulting annually on the prefunding obligation, it said. Read More
Inside the delivery of a £5.7M footbridge in Pembrokeshire designed using algorithms
(New Civil Engineer) AtkinsRéalis and Walters have recently delivered a new £5.7M footbridge in Pembrokeshire, Wales, that was designed with the help of algorithms. Located in Haverfordwest, the new footbridge has a bespoke, curved orthotropic deck with no repeating cross-section. AtkinsRéalis believes it could be Wales’ first fully parametrically designed footbridge, utilising computational design techniques and algorithms to create different dimensions for the bridge members and hexagonal structural parapets as the structure curves. It has been built as a replacement for an older footbridge crossing Haverfordwest Western Quay and Riverside. The structure was developed as an element of Pembrokeshire County Council’s £25.4M Heart of Pembrokeshire scheme to regenerate the town’s centre. Read More
Video games and virtual reality are combining to make government jobs safer
(NextGov/FCW) Most job-related safety training is pretty basic and involves either listening to a presentation about where the emergency exits are located or learning basic life-saving techniques, like how to “stop, drop and roll,” should you somehow happen to catch on fire while walking around the office. Many of us don’t need very advanced training because our workplaces are thankfully located in relatively safe environments. But safe office spaces are not always part of the standard fare for a few brave government workers. There are feds who inspect construction sites for safety, respond to hazardous material spills or who perform other dangerous duties where the risk to life and limb is much greater than getting a nasty papercut. Read More
Planning for mega-events: How governments can prepare for the World Cup
(Route Fifty) [Commentary] The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring 5.5 million spectators to 11 U.S. cities, driving a $17.2 billion GDP boost, but traffic congestion, hotel shortages and public service strain pose significant risks. Dallas’ nine matches could overwhelm transit to AT&T Stadium, while Philadelphia’s 40,000 hotel rooms may not suffice for 500,000 visitors. Local governments can address these challenges by engaging citizens, partnering with businesses and deploying capabilities like real-time analytics and digital communication platforms. By planning ahead of mega-events and ensuring the right digital tools are in place, impacted governments can better ensure safety, efficiency and economic success, creating a lasting civic infrastructure for smarter cities. Read More
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