A complex infrastructure investment project to build resilience into the energy grid is snarling traffic in North and Central New Jersey.
John Cichowski reports on the congestion and wayfinding frustrations in connection with a $1.2 infrastructure project in North and Central New Jersey.
The Energy Strong project, as it's called, is "building new gas mains and improving antiquated metering and switching stations so it can respond more quickly to the kinds of power failures that crippled the region when Superstorm Sandy struck in 2012." Cichowski adds: "Unlike road projects that affect a few communities at a time, Energy Strong affects 140 miles of roadway through 30 mostly flood-prone municipalities in Bergen and Passaic counties."
The problem: "With a dozen or so utility projects under way simultaneously, commuters seldom have faced so many detours. Even worse, spring and summer is the usual period for paving municipal and county roads. So, it's not uncommon for a gas-main detour in one community to overlap a road-paving detour in a neighboring community."
Cichowski provides more details about the sources of frustration as residents deal with the detours created by the project—incomplete signage is among the most common complaints.
FULL STORY: Road Warrior: $1.2 billion dig creates giant detours
Texas Grid Holds Up to Freezing Temperatures
Efforts made to prepare the state’s infrastructure for winter storms after 2021’s disastrous freeze are paying off.
Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.
FEMA Resilience Program Cuts Grant Funding
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program funded projects from flood prevention to power station upgrades.
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.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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