Infrastructure

Florida DOT Adopts 'Context-Based' Street Design
The "right street in the right place" hasn't always been a concept that departments of transportation were ready to acknowledge, much less adopt. The Florida Department of Transportation, however, is working to take context into consideration.

Lake Erie Algae Bloom Growing Again
The algae bloom in Lake Erie has spread to cover much of the edge of Lake Eerie near Toledo, but toxins remain low where local communities draw drinking water supply.

MTA Bridges Go Cashless in New York City
Cold hard cash is becoming a relic of the past for navigating the nation's transportation system.

Critiquing the Bike Friendliness of a City with a Reputation for Bike Friendliness
One opinion writer thinks Denver is getting more credit than it deserves as a bike friendly city, but to be fair, a lot of cities have gotten good at overselling their bike friendliness.
The Calm Streets Project Launches in St. Louis
The Calm Streets project, intended to improve traffic safety, walkability, and economic development opportunities in St. Louis, picked up new momentum in the form of grant funding.

Trump Nixes Public-Private Partnerships for $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
Tory Newmyer and Damian Paletta report that President Trump is changing his tune on the $1 trillion infrastructure plan promised since the campaign.

It's Likely That Your Next Citi Bike Trip Will Be Faster Than a Taxi Ride
Looking for a reason to ride a bike instead of pay for a taxi? This new interactive guide makes the case for Citi Bike in New York City.
Army Corps to the Rescue!
In the wake of the slow response by the Trump Administration to the devastation caused by the category 4 Hurricane Maria's direct hit on Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been called to rebuild the infrastructure.
12.3-Mile Gold Line Extension Takes First, Tentative Steps in Southern California
One step forward, and maybe two steps back, for a 12.3-mile extension of the Gold Line light rail in the San Gabriel Valley.

Breaking News: Tragic Stampede at Mumbai Rail Station Leaves 22 Dead
A tragic stampede at a Mumbai rail station is putting new focus on the state of rail infrastructure in India.
High Speed Rail Transforming California's Housing, TOD Conversation
The California Legislature took steps to address the state's housing crisis this year, but housing activists might look to the Governor's High Speed Rail project to provide a link to affordable housing in the Central Valley.

Sanitation Without Sewers
In much of the world, people do not have access to toilets and sewers. To make these places safer, innovators look for cheap, easy-to-install solutions.

Omaha to Outlaw Standing on Medians
In an effort to curb panhandling, the mayor of Omaha introduces ordinance to make it illegal to be on some thin medians.

Checking in on Philadelphia's Promised Protected Bike Lanes
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kinney is discovering on the job that planning is much easier than delivering when it comes to protected bike lanes—as is the case in many cities around the country.
Maryland's $9 Billion Project Would Be the Nation's Largest P3 for Highways
Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) announced last week plans for the largest highway contract awarded to a public-private partnership: adding four express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270. A third highway widening will be completed internally.

Denver Still Seeking a Solution to At-Grade Crossings on New Rail Lines
Seemingly esoteric matters of crossing safety and gate activation times are presenting a major obstacle for RTD's commuter rail expansion projects in the Denver area.

Bad Optics: The 606 Bike Trail Closed for an Upscale, Private Dinner
Chicago's 606 has proven popular among pedestrians, but the rise in property values near the amentity has made some feel unwelcome near the trail. Closing a stretch of the trail for a $200-a-plate dinner only makes that worse.

Three New Bridges for Crossing the L.A. River on Foot
A plan for a bridge from Griffith Park to Atwater Village is the latest in a series of proposed pedestrian bridges over the Los Angeles River.

Without Basic Utilities, Puerto Rican Exodus Expected
Hurricane Maria left the flooded island of 3.4 million American citizens without power, communications, and running water, which may take months before they are restored. An exodus to Florida, which had begun before Maria hit, will likely accelerate.

Lessons From San Diego's Hepatitis A Outbreak
Voice of San Diego reports in detail about the months of warning San Diego officials had about the spread of Hepatitis A in public areas around the city. Still, prevention measures took a back seat to bureaucracy.
Pagination
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions