The city of Chicago was working hard to win the federal funding while the Obama Administration is still in power.
"The Chicago Transit Authority has secured nearly $1.1 billion in federal grant money for major upgrades to North Side CTA tracks to reduce delays and overcrowding," report Mary Wisniewski and Nereida Moreno.
The federal funding required matching local funding, which required the city to quickly approve a new special taxing district. "The city had been working to land the grant before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in Jan. 20," add Wisniewski and Moreno. The taxing district is "expected to generate more than $851 million over the next 17 years"—almost all of which will go toward the North Side CTA project.
"The grant will be used to replace the track structure and improve bridges and viaducts between Lawrence and Bryn Mawr avenues," according to the article. The grant will also go toward upgraded signals between Belmont Avenue and Howard Street and "to build a 'flyover' that will separate the Red and Purple line tracks from the Brown Line tracks north of Belmont Avenue."
FULL STORY: CTA to get $1.1 billion federal grant to upgrade Red Line

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

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.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

How Housing as a Financial Product Harms Communities
Institutional buyers who treat housing as an investment product become disconnected from the impacts of higher rents, displacement, and housing instability.

Blinded by the Light: When Brighter Headlights Decrease Safety
Bright LED headlights can create glare and reduce visibility for other drivers and pedestrians.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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