Politicians in Washington D.C. are getting behind Honolulu's plans for a $3.7 billion light rail system, calling it the "most efficient light rail project in the country".
"U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar's Washington office confirmed that the Minnesota Democrat has told Honolulu that its plan for $900 million in federal money to build a light rail connection 'stands well ahead' of other plans before his committee including the Washington connection to Dulles International Airport."
"The Hawaii plan has also had major backing in the U.S. Senate where Hawaii's senior senator, Daniel Inouye, is chairman of the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation. He helped secure $15.2 million in federal funding last year for engineering on the project."
"Honolulu papers quote Oberstar as saying the Honolulu project 'just has to happen,' after flying over the planned right-of-way that he said was too narrow to 'squeeze more lanes in the roadway.' Oberstar said Honolulu authorities 'have got less than one mile of space between the mountains on one hand and the ocean on the other' and a rail system is necessary."
"Oberstar said the Honolulu mass transit system's plan, a $3.7 billion project to build a rail line from Kapolei to Leeward Community College, is the most efficient light rail project in the country."
FULL STORY: Hawaii Rail Trumps Dulles

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont