Criticism of New Mexico's commuter rail system heats up as officials claim Rail Runner starves other transportation projects of funding.
"The administration's $400 million project runs from Belen to Bernalillo and this year is scheduled to extend to Santa Fe. It has become a focal point for bipartisan criticism, with complaints that it won't reduce highway congestion and is gobbling up too much state money, leaving other initiatives underfunded."
"'We have a tiger by the tail, and this thing is just out of control,' said Sen. John Grubesic, a Santa Fe Democrat."
"The state is almost $500 million short of what's needed to pay for highway projects approved four years ago, threatening to delay some of them."
"The administration disputes that there is a connection between Rail Runner spending and the shortfall in highway funding."
"Transportation Secretary Rhonda Faught blames the problem mainly on rising construction costs and lower-than-expected federal revenue."
"But Rail Runner critics say the cities on the train line don't have the population density to justify the expense of the service."
FULL STORY: Rail Runner is 'out of control'
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
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Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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