Florida Governor Rick Scott signed an omnibus transportation bill earlier this week that makes a dozen changes to the work of the Florida Department of Transportation.
"Governor Rick Scott signed HB 7027 into law," according to a press release published by Mass Transit. HB 7027 creates the Florida Department of Transportation Financing Corporation and aims to streamline transportation projects by encouraging competition and lowering interest rates. In addition:
FDOT’s legislative package (HB 7027) will provide significant time and cost savings in project delivery by giving the department the authority to assume responsibilities of the USDOT for state projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This means FDOT would be able to use this delegated authority to review or approve any highway project within the state under any federal environmental law.
Ryan Ray provides media coverage of the approved bill, focusing first on the provision in the bill that will require the Legislative Budget Commission to review "any proposed amendment to the department’s five-year 'Work Program' – essentially its funding plan for major projects – amounting to more than $3 million…"
FULL STORY: RICK SCOTT SIGNS OMNIBUS FDOT BILL INTO LAW
Florida to Provide Toll Relief for Frequent Commuters
It will be cheaper to drive around Florida, starting January 1.
Deadline for Brightline Plan Comes With Strings Attached
Officials from Brightline recently signed an agreement that dictates terms for the study of an extension of the private rail system between Orlando and Tampa.
State Grant Gives Tampa Streetcar a Big Cash Infusion
Next stop: A bigger, better Tampa Streetcar.
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