It's been over 60 years, but at long last a missing stretch of I-95 between New Jersey and Pennsylvania has been completed. Meanwhile, disrepair threatens the rest of the system.
For eight years, Kabir Chibber writes, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has been working to close the last remaining gap in Interstate 95, bringing to completion what was once dubbed "the greatest public works program in the history of the world."
The Pennsylvania Turnpike/Interstate 95 Interchange Project, slated to open by Sept. 24, closes a gap that traces its origins "to local opposition—it was to cut through Hopewell Valley, an affluent area near Princeton—and the energy crisis of the 1970s." The project's total cost amounts to $400 million, funding the construction of six overhead bridges, toll plazas, and flyover ramps.
The project brings to a close a more hopeful era for American public infrastructure that now seems very far away as the Highway Trust Fund experiences long-term insolvency and plans to maintain "crumbling" highways remain murky.
FULL STORY: The last project from America’s golden age of infrastructure is almost finished—61 years later
How One Massachusetts Governor Rejected Car-Oriented Development
Fifty years ago, Governor Francis W. Sargent nixed a proposed expressway and set in motion a transportation future for Boston that would be remarkably different from many other U.S. cities.
New Interchange Planned Along Pennsylvania Turnpike
Local leaders hope the new interchange will invigorate economic development in the area by providing easier access to the turnpike.
Trump's State of the Union: More on Infrastructure in Democrats' Response
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Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
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From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.
New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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