Infrastructure

A Texas Toll Road Struggling to Induce Demand
Texas 130 has failed to live up to its revenue potential, leaving the private company that operates the road in junk bond status.
Northern Virginia Considering a New Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit Line
One of the busiest corridors in Northern Virginia, both in traffic and development, is under consideration for a new transit line.

Report: Electric Vehicles Best Option in Most of U.S.
A new Union of Concerned Scientists report shows that due to considerable gains made in cleaning the electric grid and in producing electric vehicles more efficiently, EVs are the environmentally sensible choice.

To Connect Oakland—Remove the I-980 Freeway
A grassroots, ambitious vision called Connect Oakland is gaining steam in the East Bay city. The key element of the plan's ambition: replacing the I-980 Freeway with an urban boulevard and new housing.

Reactions to Cleveland's Backwards Bike Lane
A photo of a "backwards" buffered bike lane in Cleveland prompts commentary from the planning community. What is gained by separating bike lane and curb?

Wisconsin Goes Deeper in the Fiscal Hole to Fix Aging Roads
Wisconsin legislators have voted to continue steep borrowing to pay for needed road repairs, while calls to increase the state’s gas tax grow louder.
Pennsylvania Launches 'Rapid Bridge Project' to Rebuild 558 Bridges in Three Years
Faced with more than 4,000 structurally deficient bridges, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has an innovative repair plan.
Why It's So Hard to Tell When a New York Train Will Arrive
The Atlantic has deep and detailed coverage of the expensive, obsolete, and decaying technology used by the New York subway system.

Santa Monica Debuts GPS-Enabled Bikeshare
Serving beach-side Santa Monica and nearby Venice, Breeze Bikeshare equips its bikes with GPS tracking. The program claims to be more advanced than an L.A. Metro system set to debut in early 2016.
$1.75 Billion Bond Sale Delayed for All Aboard Florida
High-yield funds have less money to spend these days, leaving large infrastructure projects like the All Aboard Florida high-speed rail project waiting at the station.
New Corporation Formed to Replace Amtrak's Hudson River Rail Tunnels
The Gateway Development Corporation will be formed by Amtrak, the U.S. Department of Transportation, New York, and New Jersey to replace the deteriorating 105-year-old Hudson River rail tunnels, a vital project that could cost $20 billion.

The Deadly Costs of Failing Infrastructure
Failing infrastructure is a life and death matter. Decaying roads, bridges, dam, pipelines, water delivery, and railroads lacking safety controls are responsible for the loss of thousands of lives annually, on top of illnesses and injuries.

Madrid Takes Drastic Action to Curb Pollution
With a growing reputation for heavy local pollution, the city of Madrid will impose reduced speed limits and driving restrictions in its central core. On bad days, transit will be free to ride.

Asian Subways Are the Busiest
Rankings from the International Association of Public Transport have Tokyo on top, followed by Beijing and Shanghai. New York comes in seventh.

A Parking Kerfuffle in Downtown Dallas
The big, contentious question of contemporary downtowns is under consideration in Dallas: Is there too much parking or not enough parking?
New Jersey DOT Head: 'The Days of System Expansion Are Long Over'
The acting head of the New Jersey Department of Transportation spoke of the realities of transportation investment in the current era of funding uncertainty.
How Rural Towns Succeeded in Keeping Amtrak's Southwest Chief Running
Cities as far-flung as Trinidad, Dodge City, and Lamy joined their efforts in recent years to keep the iconic Southwest Chief Amtrak route running.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to Sign 7.3-cent Gas Tax Hike Today
After years of debate, Republicans from both chambers agreed to a transportation plan raising the gas tax 7.3-cents and registration fees by 20 percent, effective 2017. Democrats objected to the amount of general funds that will be directed to roads.

Report: Cutting Urban Emissions Could Save $17 Trillion
Research from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate recommends an emissions reduction program that might pay off big in the long term. Inter-city exchange and transit planning are key strategies.
Texas Votes to Keep Old Road Spending Habits
Lots of dollar signs were flying around on Texas ballots last week, many of which were headed toward road construction measures. The Houston Chronicle, however, points out the shortcomings of the state's patterns of investment.
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