A public-private partnership to build a large tollway south of Houston has taken important first steps. Construction will commence later this year.
"A tollway down the center of Texas 288 will start to take shape later this year," reports Dug Begley, "now that state transportation officials have finalized agreement [sic] with the private firm planning the road."
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reached the deal with Blueridge Transportation Group on the $815 million public-private partnership.
According to Begley, "[t]he project covers a 10.3-mile stretch from U.S. 59 to the Harris County line, including direct ramps to the Texas Medical Center and a new interchange with the Sam Houston Tollway." Begley includes more details about the current project as well as the potential for this project to lead into a $2.1 billion, 52-year project to build a private tollway along the public right of way.
FULL STORY: Texas 288 tollway a debatable deal for drivers

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