Rebutting the argument that roads and bridges are "crumbling" and should be our first infrastructure priority.
The Biden Administration, like its predecessors, seeks to throw money at roads and bridges, based on the oft-stated claim that American roads are "crumbling." In a recent post, Matt Yglesias challenges this view. Yglesias points out that:
- Americans have shorter commute times than residents of many other countries;
- American roads have actually become less rough over time;
- According to the World Economic Forum, the U.S. has some of the best roads in the world;
- The American rate of bridge failure is lower than that of Canada or Finland.
FULL STORY: America's "crumbling" roads and bridges are fine
Crack in Bridge Connecting Arkansas to Tennessee Comes With Consequences, Debate
Goods movement on the Mississippi River, as well as truck traffic on a key interstate, has ground to a halt after a crack was discovered last week in a bridge on Interstate 40 connecting to Memphis.
Texas Infrastructure Gets a ‘C’
The American Society of Civil Engineers rates states in 16 categories related to transportation, water, waste management, parks, and more.
Opinion: America's Infrastructure Doesn't Need a Federal Spending 'Binge'
Despite alarming claims about the nation's roads and bridges, a column in the Chicago Tribune argues that the administration's proposed infrastructure spending doesn't match actual needs.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service