The planned expansion of Interstate-5 in San Diego County would finally complete the Southern California metropolis. Los Angeles and Orange Counties became wall-to-wall sprawl development decades ago, erasing all traces of their rural heritage and the scenic outdoors. Northern San Diego County, with its quaint beach towns, is tenuously holding on to the last vestiges of agricultural land and breathable open space. But these areas too are rapidly developing. It is no surprise then that I-5, the only north-south route along the coast, is increasingly traffic clogged. The county’s solution? Invest $1.4 billion to expand the freeway from 8 lanes to 12 or 14 lanes along a 26-mile stretch of the north county coast.
Transportation Spending
Without Funding, State Transportation Projects Stall
Thousands of transportation projects across the country are being temporarily halted or canceled completely due to lack of funding. More than 40 states have been forced to cut back on transportation projects.
The New York Times
Mobility Infrastructure: A Better Stimulus Package
Stimulus packages are nothing more than an "economic sugar rush", according to columnist David Brooks. He argues that the country needs to create a larger-scale transportation-based infrastructure project to really bail out the economy.
International Herald Tribune
141 Miles of Rail for Raleigh-Durham Triangle
A feasibility study released last week shows that a 141 mile transit system could be built on existing right-of-ways in the Triangle for $1 billion, a fraction of the proposed budget for transit in the region through 2035.
The News Observer
Is L.A. Willing To Pay For Safe Trains?
Although it is a public transit success, Metrolink was cobbled together with old freight rail lines. It was a relatively cheap and quick way of providing rail service, but its drawbacks have become obvious.
California Planning and Development Report
Congress Considering More Funding for Public Transportation
New funds have already been allocated to public transit agencies, but unexpected increases in ridership have called for even more. The funds come as part of a new energy bill intended to reduce foreign oil dependence.
The Wall Street Journal
A Snapshot of Cycling in Upstate New York
An Albany newspaper takes a look at cycling in the Capital District: cycling is up, and advocacy groups are working to take advantage of it.
Metroland
Pittsburgh Takes Steps Toward Bike-Friendliness
Pittsburgh becomes first city in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to hire a full-time bike/pedestrian coordinator.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Americans Reduce Their Driving by 3.7% in May, Transportation Funds Plummet
At a time when highway infrastructure is already facing challenges such as the rising costs of concrete and steel, a change in driving habits is causing a major reduction in available funds.
The Wall St. Journal
Would Starbucks and Designer Interiors Get You to Ride Transit?
Toronto's Metrolink brings together city and transportation planners to brainstorm the transit of the future.
The Toronto Star
Riding Amtrak Across the U.S.
GOOD Magazine sends a reporter across country on Amtrak to give a riders-eye view of the system.
GOOD Magazine
Dreaming of a Superhighway Across Maine
Officials in Maine are considering a plan to build a cross-state superhighway.
The Ellsworth American
Robert Reich Stumps for Transit
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich gives his two cents about the need to expand public transit.
Robert Reich's Blog
The Scooter Alternative
Scooter sales are on the rise, as Americans wake up to the effect of high gas prices on their pocketbook.
Americans Reluctantly Face Their Gasoline Habit
The New York Times looks across the nation and finds consumers reluctantly changing their habits to deal with rising gas prices.
The New York Times
Canada's Federal Budget Boosts Transit, Municipal Budgets
Canada's new federal budget allocates $500 million for public transit and makes a "permanent" commitment to allocating a portion of the gas tax to municipalities for infrastructure-related spending. But is it enough?
CBC News
Famous Seer Predicts Congestion Will Get Worse . . .
Sun, 02/25/2007 - 14:20
In spring 2007, the Texas Transportation Institute and its partners will release the newest version of the "Mobility Report." This eagerly-awaited document will chronicle the worsening congestion in urban and suburban America. The report typically spawns a frenzy of media stories as folks eagerly peruse the ranking lists finding out just how their area did. While methodology tweaks and data issues might add a few wrinkles, no one will be surprised to see congestion worse than the prior report two years ago. Surprise, surprise!
