Highway Widening

Road Widening Plans Criticized in Fairfax County Virginia
The car-centric status quo is continuing unabated even as Fairfax County commits to more urban thinking on transportation and land use planning.

Critics: Press Pause on Highway Widening in Maryland Until COVID Impacts Are Clear
Transportation plans justified with pre-coronavirus data are now obsolete, according to a line of argument recently presented to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The 'Congestion Con' Debunked
New road capacity doesn't solve congestion, according to the central argument of a new report by Transportation for America.

I-45 Widening Plan Nears the Finish Line in Houston
The public is getting a chance to give feedback on the city's proposed changes to a project that would realign and widen Interstate 45 near downtown Houston.

Governor's Transportation and Climate Actions Stir Controversy in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order last month directing state agencies to consider climate goals in their spending and operations. Two weeks later, three highway widening projects were deleted, and locals are crying foul.
Virginia Interstate Widening Would Convert Free Lanes to Toll Lanes
The Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization is proposing a 45-mile network of high-occupancy toll lanes on I–64 that includes conversions of 16 miles of carpool and three miles of general-purpose lanes. No unpriced lanes would be added.

As Community's Colorado's Front Range Grows, Road Planning Follows
Transportation planners are creating extra road capacity to keep up with sprawling development in the I-25 corridor in Colorado's Northern Front Range.

Debating Freeway Expansion Projects Around Louisville
Several large freeway expansion projects are in various stages of planning and development in the Louisville region of Kentucky. Critics say the projects reflect an obsolete approach to planning and will hurt the state and the city.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Proposes Gas Tax Hike
The eight-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase is one of several measures in the Democrat governor's first budget that marks a major departure from the the tenure of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Environmental Assessment for I-5 Improvement Project in Portland Promises Air, Traffic, Safety Benefits
The environmental assessment for the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, released on February 15, 2019, promises to be controversial.

Local Control Proposed to Halt Toll Road Progress in Maryland
State legislators want counties to be able to veto toll projects proposed by Governor Larry Hogan.

The City of Dallas Rejects the State of Texas on Plans to Widen Interstate 30
A plan to widen the Interstate 30 in Dallas is pitting state transportation officials, with ostensible goals to serve regional transportation needs, against local officials, who are more concerned with "neighborhood-centric ideals."

Toll Lane Expansion in Inland Empire Begins After Voters Reject Gas Tax Repeal
The day after California voters soundly rejected a repeal of a one-year old 12-cents gas tax increase and new annual vehicle registration fees. the Riverside County Transportation Commission launched a study to extend toll lanes on Interstate 15.
Big Changes Proposed for I-81 in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Transportation is proposing $2 billion worth of changes to Interstate 81 in Roanoke.

Study Reveals the Futility of Building Out of Congestion
Even if widening highways enough to relieve all congestion were possible, it would only benefit a very small number of commuters, according to new research.

Local Concern Grows Over Maryland's Plans to Widen Interstates
Montgomery County officials are concerned about the details of a massive $9 billion public-private partnership that would widen three highways in Maryland with the support of Governor Larry Hogan.

I-405 Widening Ready to Launch Outside Seattle
A major road-widening project will begin construction next year. The project is a long time coming for a fast-growing region, but the final product will reflect a new approach to highway funding.

Another Reason Motorists Should Support Road Tolling
Two things motorists detest: tolls and congestion. Tolls, if effectively applied, lessen congestion, but at a high cost to drivers. However, steep tolls also provide a political incentive to "fix the bottlenecks," as shown by the 66 Express Lanes.

Toll and Tax, or Just Tax, to Pay for Highway Expansion?
A political decision by the Texas Transportation Commission last December to drop projects which included toll lanes was thought to doom 15 road expansions from their 10-year capital plan, but some will go forward with HOV as opposed to HOT lanes.

Lake Shore Drive Proposal Inspires Debate
Take a car lane or widen Lake Shore Drive? That's the question facing state and local officials in Chicago.
Pagination
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