Infrastructure

The Americans With Disabilities Act Survives Congress (for Now)
Threat of a Senate filibuster has blocked the progress of a bill that would restrict enforcement of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

A Suburban Retrofit Rides the Bike Trails
Communities around Northwest Arkansas have placed bike infrastructure at the center of a plan to retrofit suburban communities.

When Coastal States Kill Building Codes, FEMA Pays
Despite the increasing number and intensity of natural disasters, some vulnerable states are relaxing building regulations and leaving the federal government to pick up the tab when tragedy strikes again.
Construction of I–66 Toll Lanes Outside the Capital Beltway Begins this Weekend
Widening of Interstate 66 for 22.5 miles in Northern Virginia will accommodate two toll lanes in each direction, accessible to trucks. The $3.7 billion project, to be built by public-private partnership at no cost to the state, will open in 2022.
Off the Beaten Path
Designing comfort stations to accommodate more than 60 million annual New York State Parks visitors — representing many different genders, backgrounds, and accessibility needs — is no simple task.

ACLU Report Recommends Municipal Broadband
Faced with the potential consequences of the federal Communications Commission's recent repeal of net neutrality, a report by the American Civil Liberties Union suggests that municipal internet as an antidote.

The Planned Community of the Future Is Also a 'Smart City'
Planned community developer LStar Ventures is building a smart city experiment near Boston.

APA-Texas Acknowledges the Great Places of the Lone Star State
There are a lot of great places to celebrate in Texas, and the state chapter of the American Planning Association is in the second year of a program that calls attention to the role of planners in making them happen.

Citywide Parking Requirement Reform Passes in Seattle
The U.S. city with the best recent history of convincing commuters to ditch the auto commute is taking further steps to make the city a little less car-centric.

Popularity of Express Lanes Spreads Beyond Virginia
Dan Vock of Governing takes a broad look at congestion pricing, beginning with the success of Virginia's 66 Express Lanes, the ones where tolls initially topped $40. Notwithstanding complaints, managed lanes are spreading, but challenges remain.

Op-Ed: Infrastructure Projects Need More Women in Leadership Roles
Calling attention to progress in the Bay Area, two leaders at employee- and women-owned firms argue that more female leadership will help projects better serve the entire population.

Report: Vancouver Leads North American Cities in Transit Ridership Growth
Vancouver's success in growing its ridership of public transit is thanks, in no small part, to large investments in rail and bus service.
Wisconsin's Foxconn Deal Inspiring Lots of Transit Planning
The msot recent proposal for new public transit to serve the Foxconn facility in Racine County: a commuter rail connection from Downtown Milwaukee.

Trump's 2020 Budget Includes a New 'Planning and Vision Implementation' Agency
The centerpiece of the Trump Administration's draft budget outline for 2020 is the creation of a new Cabinet-level department tasked with solving the nation's planning and infrastructure challenges.

Big Philadelphia Parks Bond on Hold While Funding Debated in Court
The Rebuild initiative in Philadelphia depends on funding generated by a 1.5 cents-an-ounce tax on sugary beverages. The tax is in effect, but $300 million in bonds have to wait for a court decision about the tax.

Flight Path Changes Raise Hell Around Logan International Airport
A resident in Medford counted 110 planes flying above his house in the span of six hours.

What if New York City Implemented SB 827-Style Upzoning?
SB 827 is a controversial land use regulation under consideration in California that would relax building height and density standards along transit corridors. New York has a reputation as the most transit oriented city in the country.

Feds to Investigate Transit Project Costs
The Government Accountability Office will investigate why it costs so much more to build transit in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Perhaps this could be the change of systematic change.

D.C. Mayor Proposes Tax Increase on Ride-Hailing to Fund Transit
Mayor Bowser's 2019 budget also continues investments designed to create affordable housing and distribute homeless shelters throughout the city.

A Strong Voice of Support for Value Capture to Fund Subway Repair
In an opinion for City & State, Kathryn Wylde, president of the nonprofit Partnership for New York City, makes the case that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority should be allowed to tax properties where value is enhanced by subway proximity.
Pagination
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Planning for Universal Design
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
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