A private developer's proposal to build a 33-mile toll road bypassing a heavy traffic area in Colorado Springs depends on a crucial city council vote. But even if approved, the mostly private public-private development may not be necessary.
Developer Lindsay Case is pushing hard for the devlopment of a toll road, which Case plans to fund and operate through the arms of a private group of investors. However, the development requires city cooperation, mostly in the form of creating community support. But some Colorado Springs City Council members aren't even sure the road is necessary, let alone feasible.
"Colorado Springs motorists could take a turn onto a 33-mile road that would run along the city's eastern side. For 25 cents a mile, they would coast by downtown and Interstate 25 traffic, proponents say."
"Most of the route actually will link pre-existing roads and roads already scheduled to be built by the city or developers. The Toll Road Partnership contends that it can build the roads faster and more efficiently with private funding. Under its plan, some pieces could open as soon as 2010. Otherwise, they could take decades to complete â€" something the city acknowledges as well."
FULL STORY: Taking a toll?
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A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure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