Infrastructure

One Developer's Idea for Regional Housing Solutions in Southern California
New housing development is off to a slow start in Los Angeles in 2017. Although the city defeated an anti-growth ballot measure, LA is still faced with a number of policy and legal challenges to building an adequate supply of affordable housing.

$3 Billion Natural Gas Pipeline Shelved in New England; Controversy Remains
Controversy seems to follow natural gas pipelines everywhere they go, including New England.
Gondola Proposal Still Floating in D.C.
A proposed project to connect Rosslyn and Washington, D.C. by Gondola across the Potomac River still has support from the D.C. Council—enough support to fund an environmental study of the idea.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Sets Target for 100 Percent Renewable Energy
The Annual Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors wrapped up in Miami Beach earlier this week, culminating with a display of climate change solidarity.

L.A. Metro CEO Challenges Trump on Infrastructure Funding
President Trump’s most recent transportation budget is projected to cut transportation spending by 13 percent, potentially undercutting many of Los Angeles' ambitious projects to continue the build-out of a full public transportation system.

London Mayor Wants Emissions Free Transportation Fleets by 2040
London's draft Mayor's Transport Strategy (MTS) is available for public review. Mayor Sadiq Khan says transportation is "at the heart" of his vision for a city for all Londoners.

Opinion: K Street Extension Key to D.C. Streetcar's Success
An extension down K Street would greatly improve the D.C. Streetcar's service level, according to Dan Malouf, but the District Council has shelved the project.

Chicago's Next Bikeshare Investment to Focus on Underserved Neighborhoods
Chicago is focusing its bikeshare installation in locations with what writer John Greenfield calls a "dearth of Divvy."

L.A. Metro Will Spend $81.5 Million to Improve Blue Line to Long Beach
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) appears to be taking a break from its perpetual expansion projects to make some improvements to the heavily used but aging Blue Line.
West Virginia Becomes the Seventh State to Hike Gas Taxes, But Not by Much
Democratic Gov. Jim Justice signed legislation to increase its 32.2 cent state gas tax by about 3.5 cents per gallon and add substantial hybrid and EV fees. He also signed legislation to increase and expand road and bridge tolling.

Downtown Nashville's Downtown Freeway Facing Closures This Fall
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will close busy stretches of Interstate 24 several times this fall as workers replace bridges built in 1961 as quickly as possible.

Light Rail Stations to Charge for Parking in Southern California's San Gabriel Valley
The popularity of the Gold Line extension in the San Gabriel Valley to the east of Pasadena requires a new approach to parking. It's hoped that parking fees will decrease demand for parking at stations along the route without affecting ridership.

Seattle Tackling Equity Challenges With Global Lens
Seattle is faced with an affordable housing crisis that has led the new Planning & Community Development Director Sam Assefa to look globally for solutions.
Workers Returning, Carefully, to the Scene of Epic Landslide on the California Coast
Engineers are searching for solid ground along the California coast at the scene of a massive landslide that wiped out California Highway 1 near San Luis Obispo.

Climate Change Is Shrinking the Colorado River
Documenting the effects of climate change on the West's most vital source of water.

Setting Aside Transit Sales Tax Revenue for Affordable Housing
With a new wave of transit and active transportation investment coming to Atlanta, thanks to two new sales taxes, advocates are mobilizing to ensure that the investments won't leave low-income residents behind. It's a concept worth considering.

New York Governor Declares Subway 'State of Emergency'
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been heavily criticized for neglecting New York City's subway system.

Michigan Suing Flint to Force Long-Term Water Contract
The news from Michigan serves as a reminder that the Flint drinking water tragedy, which started in 2014, still has not been resolved. The health of Flint residents is still at risk.

Human Error, Not Crumbling Infrastructure, Caused NYC Subway Derailment
While the New York subway's need for infrastructure investment is well documented, it was an improperly placed rail that caused two subway cars to derail on a southbound A train on Tuesday morning in Harlem.

Louisville's Sprawl Threatens One of its Last Clean-Running Streams
New subdivision planning and construction is expected to expand the footprint of the Louisville metropolitan area. The question is whether those new developments will protect or harm the beloved Floyds Fork.
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