In an effort to avoid the extra costs associated with electrifying trains and building overhead wiring systems, transportation planners are backing a plan to develop a 41-mil commuter rail line in Denver with diesel-powered trains.
"RTD's FasTracks planning team is recommending that diesel-powered rail cars instead of electric ones be used on the 41-mile Northwest line from Union Station to Boulder and Longmont, officials told Denver City Council members on Monday."
"Using diesel trains will allow the Regional Transportation District to avoid the extra $177 million it would cost to install overhead electric wires along the route, Northwest rail project manager Chris Quinn told council members."
"Rising costs of construction and land already have boosted the price tag of the Northwest rail line to $685 million from an estimate of $565 million in 2004. Both those estimates assumed the use of diesel technology."
"Some residents and government officials in the rail corridor, however, voiced concern about the air pollution, noise and vibration effects of diesel trains, forcing RTD planners to analyze the electric alternative."
"A preliminary analysis shows that there will be 'no significant difference' in carbon monoxide levels at key stations in the corridor whether diesel or electric trains are used, Quinn said."
FULL STORY: Diesel urged on Northwest rail
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
How California Transit Agencies are Addressing Rider Harassment
Safety and harassment are commonly cited reasons passengers, particularly women and girls, avoid public transit.
Significant Investments Needed to Protect LA County Residents From Climate Hazards
A new study estimates that LA County must invest billions of dollars before 2040 to protect residents from extreme heat, increasing precipitation, worsening wildfires, rising sea levels, and climate-induced public health threats.
Federal Rule Raises Cost for Oil and Gas Extraction on Public Lands
An update to federal regulations raises minimum bonding to limit orphaned wells and ensure cleanup costs are covered — but it still may not be enough to mitigate the damages caused by oil and gas drilling.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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ULI Northwest Arkansas
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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.
