President-elect Barack Obama's plans to update the nation's highway system will be limited by funding. Congressional transportation officials are calling for an update of the gas tax, among other changes.
"Clearly, the trust fund needs a fix. One of the people charged with finding that fix is Rep. Jim Oberstar, a Minnesota Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure."
"Oberstar served as that panel's chief of staff 40 years ago. And his message for you, Mr. Obama: 'Learn from history.'"
"Look back to when the nation last grappled with congested highways and slow-moving goods, he says. It was the 1950s, and the solution was a $22.5 billion, 42,000-mile interstate highway system paid for by a gasoline tax of 3 cents per gallon. It turned out that wasn't enough, so Congress soon raised it by a penny."
"Raising the gasoline tax and indexing it to inflation will be on the agenda next year when the transportation committee tackles what Oberstar says will be a nearly $500 billion update of the nation's transportation policy. But Oberstar says raising the gas tax alone won't be enough."
"The panel's top Republican, John Mica of Florida, agrees. Mica says it's time to re-evaluate the gas tax as the primary way the country pays for its highways."
FULL STORY: Obama's Highway Plans Face Funding Roadblock
How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?
Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.
10 States Where the Gas Tax Is Highest
As the gap between gas tax revenue and transportation funding needs widen across the country, the funding mechanism is drawing increased scrutiny from both public officials and consumers.
California Testing Per-Mile Gas Tax Alternatives
A summer pilot program will test the fairness and efficacy of collection mechanisms for mileage-based fee options.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research