Roads

Road Lobbyists Take Hit From Livability Movement

The concept of "livability" seems to be catching on -- both at a local level and up in the federal government. This is especially true in the Department of Transportation. That could mean bad news for the road building lobby.

May 2, 2010 - Center for Public Integrity

The New World of Roads in China

The New York Times reviews a new book about driving in China, and how the vastly expanding roadways are changing the Chinese way of life from the farms to the cities.

February 25, 2010 - The New York Times

Like LEED, But For Roads

The niversity of Washington and CH2M HILL have released a new sustainability rating system for roads.

February 20, 2010 - Environmental Leader

Saving Money By Converting Asphalt to Gravel

In an effort to cut transportation maintenance costs, some cities are ditching their asphalt roads and going back to gravel.

February 8, 2010 - USA Today

Lawmakers Consider Using Trust Fund for Transportation Projects

Lawmakers in Alabama are considering a plan to withdraw $1 billion from a state investment fund to pay for road and transportation projects in the state. It's a move proponents say will create jobs, but opponents worry about diverting those funds.

January 20, 2010 - The Birmingham News

New Non-Salt Strategies for Snowy Cities

Winter brings snowy conditions to roads in many cities, and many react with snow-melting salt solutions. But the physical and environmental damage of salt is leading some to look for other means of fighting the freeze.

January 14, 2010 - NRDC

Don't Call Them 'Roads'

Mary Newsom at the Charlotte Observer argues that until Charlotte residents stop calling streets 'roads', they will be stuck in a rural mindset and fail to see the broader picture of transportation in their city and county.

August 31, 2009 - The Charlotte Observer

Sprawling in Beijing

Beijing could be heading towards a sprawling future, according to a new report from the World Bank. Despite expanding transit options, the location of jobs is pushing more people out from the center of the city.

August 20, 2009 - The New York Times Style Magazine

Stimulus Projects Bring Delays to Nation's Roads

Thousands of stimulus-funded transportation projects are underway this summer, creating thousands of delays on the nation's roads.

July 22, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Illinois Approves $31 Billion Construction Plan

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that will bring about $31 billion worth of road, transit and school construction projects.

July 15, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Is Concrete the New Asphalt?

As oil prices rise, so does the cost of asphalt. Concrete, historically more expensive, is now becoming a viable cost competitor. Because of its lighter shade, its also been shown to contribute less to climate change.

July 9, 2009 - The Infrastructurist

Majority of Stimulus Spent on Roads

States are spending the vast majority of federal stimulus money on building or repairing roads and highways, according to a new study.

July 1, 2009 - Reuters

Making 'Smarter' Roads

States are hoping to use federal stimulus money to add technological advancements to their streets and highways to create "smart" roads.

May 23, 2009 - Stateline

1/3rd of U.S. Freeways in 'Poor or Mediocre' Condition

A report released today by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) details the deteriorating state of American interstates and highways, and how much it's costing us.

May 9, 2009 - Detroit Free Press

Holistic Transportation Planning

This piece from Bloomberg architecture critic James Russell calls for a unified approach to building the nation's transportation infrastructure.

January 25, 2009 - Bloomberg

Sprawl To Become Unaffordable For Waco's Future

Growth rates in Waco, Texas, have planners concerned that the region won't be able to afford the necessary roads and services the new sprawl will require.

January 21, 2009 - Waco Tribune-Herald

Stimulus Funds Roads Over Transit Three-to-One

Officials are complaining about the first draft of the economic stimulus package, arguing that it does not dedicate enough money to transit projects and heavily favors road building.

January 18, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Proposed Road Through Park Blocked

The federal government has blocked plans to build a 16-mile road through a Southern California state park, mainly over environmental concerns.

December 23, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

'Ready' Road Projects Could Create 1.8 Million Jobs

More than 5,000 road and bridge projects are "ready to go". They still need funding, but could provide nearly 2 million jobs if Congress approves infrastructure spending.

December 12, 2008 - CNN

Ottawa Kills Millions in Road Project for Mass Transit

The new master plan for Ottawa calls for a radical rethink of priorities, postponing at least $84 million in road building to focus on creating a 'compact, transit city'.

November 14, 2008 - The Ottawa Citizen

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