Delaware

A SEPTA R5 commuter train heading for Doylestown, Pennsylvania from Lansdale station.

SEPTA Trains Running on Schedule for the First Time in Two Months

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority returned to a normal commute schedule today, after making sufficient repairs to new trains that didn't start on the right track.

October 3, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Over $14 Million Awarded to Eight Projects to Find Alternatives to Gas Taxes

The U.S. Department of Transportation is funding ways to transition from the gas tax to other user-based revenue mechanisms to fund transportation infrastructure. The federal gas tax hasn't keep pace with transportation expenditures since 2008.

September 6, 2016 - U.S. D.O.T. Press Release

Amtrak Receives $2.45 Billion Federally Secured Loan for New Acela Trains

Amtrak will replace, rather than overhaul, aging Acela trains with new, 186-mph trains from French manufacturer, Alstom, though they won't exceed 160 mph. The agreement was announced Friday by VP Joe Biden at Biden Station, Wilmington, Del.

August 28, 2016 - The New York Times

McDonald's

Big, Corporate 'Back to the City' Movement Continues

In the latest news, chemical company Chemours will remain in downtown Wilmington, Delaware's largest city. In June, McDonald's decamped from Chicago's suburbs for downtown. This latest corporate trend is the topic of a New York Times article.

August 3, 2016 - The New York Times

Red Light Camera

Red Light Cameras Receive Endorsement from Influential Governors' Group

Calling it 'mind boggling' that municipalities are removing 'proven safety tools,' the Governors Highway Safety Association strongly endorsed the use of the controversial red light cameras to 'to improve safety for all road users.'

August 2, 2016 - Governors Highway Safety Association

SEPTA Train Tracks

SEPTA Forced to Take 120 Regional Trains Out of Service for Repairs

SEPTA commuters traveling to and from Delaware will spend the summer in transit gridlock, as 120 trains undergo necessary repairs to a serious structural flaw.

July 6, 2016 - NewsWorks

Connecticut Among States Competing for Federal Grants to Study Mileage Fees

Connecticut state legislators may not like vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) fees, but that hasn't stopped the state Department of Transportation from joining other states in applying for $2.1 million from the U.S. DOT to study the road user fee.

July 3, 2016 - The Hartford Courant

Clear-Sky Flood

Welcome to a Changed Climate: It Even Floods When it's Sunny

A new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration documents the increasing frequency of nuisance floods and "clear-sky flooding."

June 11, 2016 - USA Today

Ten States Could Hike Gas Taxes this Year

With gas prices the lowest since 2009, ten state legislatures and governors consider raising state gas taxes, though many are accompanied by fiscally questionable tax shifts. Some tried and failed last year. All of the proposed increases are modest.

February 24, 2016 - Tax Justice Blog

Are State Rebates Necessary for Electric Vehicle Sales?

Campaigners for the Sierra Club's electric vehicle initiative make the case that New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo needs to offer a state rebate of $2,000 to $4,000 to make EVs more attractive to car buyers now that he's phasing out coal power.

February 17, 2016 - Sierra Club Compass

Sign Most Likely to Send Mixed Messages: "Share the Road"

For some reason, many drivers think "Share the Road" means bikers should stay out of their way.

September 4, 2015 - Streetsblog USA

704,000 Residents in the Shadow of Philadelphia's Crude-by-Rail Infrastructure

Two major rail lines provide crude oil shipments to refineries and terminals in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. A surprising number of residents would face evacuation in the event of a fire on the route.

February 25, 2015 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Delaware Gas Tax Funds Subsidize General Fund

While Congress has subsidized the Highway Trust Fund with over $60 billion since 2008, some states may do the opposite, i.e., transfer funds from their gas tax-filled transportation trust funds to the state's general fund to cover operating expenses.

February 7, 2015 - AASHTO Journal

Dam Removal Goes Mainstream

In 20 years, dam removal has gone from a "fringe notion" to "wide acceptance." National Geographic explains how and why this sea change occurred.

January 28, 2015 - National Geographic

The High Price of Raising Low State Gas Taxes

Now that an increase in New Jersey's gas tax is before the legislature, Christopher Maag of The (New Jersey) Record looks at how neighboring states Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York have met their transportation needs.

November 20, 2014 - The Record

Governors Blame Congress for Failure to Sustain Highway Trust Fund

Bipartisan governors faulted Congress for failing to find long-term funds for the Highway Trust Fund, but how do their state records match their rhetoric aimed at raising federal gas taxes? Planetizen looks at some of the governors cited in the WSJ.

July 15, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

A Bad Year for State Transportation Funding

Compared to 2013, few states are increasing transportation spending through tax increases. Only New Hampshire and Rhode Island saw limited gas tax increases, though both were accompanied by road or bridge toll eliminations. Missouri could be next.

June 27, 2014 - Governing

Rainy Biker

Which States Best Prioritize Walking and Biking?

The most recent coverage of the Alliance for Biking and Walking’s 2014 Benchmark report compares each of the states for how much federal transportation funding they devote to active transportation.

April 21, 2014 - Streetsblog USA

State Gas Taxes and P3s Fill Federal Transportation Revenue Void

Beginning last year, states increased gas taxes and entered public-private partnerships, as are some cities. But it's not an easy haul for cities nor states, and Congress has yet to agree how to furnish sufficient revenue to match current spending.

April 7, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal - U.S.

Evacuated Highway 401

This is Awkward—Highway Widening Projects Based on Obsolete Projections

Several highway-widening projects on the East Coast were approved under the pretense of expected growth in traffic totals. Now planners are scrambling to figure out the new normal.

March 15, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

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