London kicks-off the beginning of a massive new rail line linking the city's western suburbs, including Heathrow Airport, through the city, and into the eastern suburbs in Essex.
The new rail line -- 40 years in the planning -- will stretch 70 miles across London, and is expected to carry 20 million people per year. The system is expected to help alleviate some of the pressure on London's existing rail system
NPR's Philip Reeves discusses two of the massive tunneling machines -- named Ada and Phyllis -- and the scope of the tunneling project.
The tunneling machines are "one and a half times the length of a football field," says Reeves. "They move at the pace of the average garden snail. And they generate enough force apparently to lift nearly 3,000 London taxis."
"The lines run along the northern edge of Roman and Medieval London and there's a lot of stuff down there. So Crossrail has got a team of archeologists and it says this is one of the most extensive archaeological programs ever undertaken in the U.K. And they've already started finding stuff during construction..."
FULL STORY: London Starts Digging Massive Transit Tunnels
$22 Billion Elizabeth Line Finally Opens in London, With the Queen in Attendance
May 17, 2022 was a big day for transit in London.
What Will Become of London's Transit Megaproject After Brexit?
London's Crossrail promises faster commutes and neighborhood revitalization in a global economic hub. But what if Brexit puts a damper on that future?
Why New York's Transportation Infrastructure Costs So Much
It's been remarked upon before. Infrastructure in New York City is a cost nightmare compared to other global cities. Accountability is lacking, Josh Barro writes, but MTA also suffers from an "institutional lack of power."
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie