Idaho

In this radio interview covering high speed rail, streetcars, bicycling, and paying for the proposed $500 billion transportation bill, Chairman Oberstar of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discusses the future of transportation.

Residents in the greater Boise area are teaming up for a community visioning process they hope will help guide future physical and economic development in the region. It's been tried before, but organizers argue this time will be different.

Congress is expected to offer up to $16 million of stimulus money to the state of Idaho for transportation projects. But in the Treasure Valley -- home to Boise and a third of the state's population -- there aren't any projects that are ready to go.

Boise's degrading air quality and the fear it may lead to a loss in federal transportation funding is causing local governments to improve public transit options to get commuters out of their cars. The alternative, smog testing of cars, is resisted.

Boise, Idaho and other cities in the region have adopted "percent for the arts" initiatives, and are looking to public art to reflect the region's 'maturity.'

Tax watchdogs in Idaho are challenging the state's redevelopment agencies, and opened up the question: are they city departments, or not? And if they are, shouldn't their decisions follow the will of the voters?

Boise considers resurrecting their streetcar system after an 80 year absence.

Boise is hoping to follow on the coattails of Little Rock in bringing back a long de-commissioned trolley system to the city's downtown.

A 17-story condominium tower in Boise, Idaho is being built on a 32-foot-wide footprint. Workers talk about the challenges of constructing such a skinny building.

Motorists in Oregon, Washington and Idaho are using less gas per week than the average American. A recent report credits the region's public transit systems and land use policies for the reduction in fuel consumption.

Idaho policymakers must make necessary investments and attract talent to succeed, according to a new report.

Lawmakers in Idaho have proposed a bill that seeks to limit urban renewal district abuses.

The cities of Vallejo, California, and McCall, Idaho, are considering filing for bankruptcy.

Boise State University's Centre for Creativity and Innovation has created and index of creative cities that's found Boise to be just about as creative as cities such as Portland and Seattle.

A new transportation corridor prompts the coordination of transportation and land use planning efforts in Boise.

Proposals for planned communities have taken a sharp downturn in Idaho since last year. A deteriorating housing market and the lack of infrastructure are being cited for delays in development.

Idaho's Treasure Valley has garnered 150 days of air quality alerts in 2007, but is still considered safe by federal air quality standards. With further growth expected, many are concerned that air quality will not be so safe next year.