New attention for a plan to greatly expand Amtrak service in dozens of cities and regions around the United States.

Luz Lazo, Ashlyn Still, and Laris Karklis report for The Washington Post on the ongoing efforts to expand Amtrak around the country: "Using its success in the populous Northeast Corridor as a model, Amtrak is pushing a $75 billion expansion to bring trains to dozens of cities and towns across the nation."
The Connect US plan, as the expansion plan is called, would dramatically expand service on corridors around the country, like in Ohio, the Southeast, and the Southwest. The Washington Post coverage is the latest round of media attention to focus on the prospects of expanded intercity rails service around the country. Planetizen first picked up news of the Connect US plan in February 2021. Some of the appeal of this latest round of news coverage is located on the new map created for the article, which clearly illustrates where the plan would implement new or expanded service (click through to the source article to see the new map).
Here's how Lazo, Still, and Karklis summarize the political moment making the Connect US dream seem like a possible reality:
The ambitious plan coincides with the passenger railroad gaining a powerful ally in the White House, where new priorities in Washington laud rail and alternate modes of transportation. The proposal comes as the nation targets infrastructure investments to exit a coronavirus pandemic-induced economic crisis, while state and local officials increasingly are open to options that address highway congestion and climate change.
The Washington Post coverage has also inspired regionally focused news coverage of Connect US, including an article by Josh Green for Urbanize Atlanta that focuses on the potential benefits of the program for the Southeast. The Connect US plan would position Atlanta as a regional hub, with new train routes to Chattanooga, Nashville, Montgomery, and Savannah, plus additional services to Charlotte and Birmingham, explains Green.
Back in February, Planetizen also picked up news about Connect US plan's intentions for Ohio and surrounding states.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland