Infrastructure

Funds Flow to Caltrain Electrification Project
Nothing comes easy for high-speed rail, or anything connected to it, as the agency that runs Caltrain learned in February. But now that a $647 million federal grant has been approved, $713 million in state bond funds will be directed to the project.

Wanted: An Electrical Grid That Looks Like the Internet
All the coal industry's money has not been able to stem the growth of renewable energy and distributed generation. For the electricity grid, the future is already here.

Eight Cities Rolling Out Streetcar Projects
America's urban streetcar renaissance looks to be on track with eight more projects planning to break ground by 2020. The list includes some of the nation's largest metros as well as plenty of medium-sized cities.

How Long Island Transit Segregates By Class
Long Island's two major transit services, MTA's LIRR trains and the NICE bus system, are less coordinated than they could be. This has a big impact on ease of movement for low-income residents.

Only High Cost Premiums Can Make Urban Farming Pencil Out
Throwing cold water on the latest "techno-optimism" for indoor, urban agriculture.

Lawsuit Targets Lack of Public Information on Trump's Border Wall
The Public Information Act has not been sufficient in getting the Trump Administration to divulge information about its plans to build a wall between the United States and Mexico.

Saving Lives: Including Sidewalk Bollards in Street Design
Countless lives were likely saved by a strategically placed bollard on W. 45th Ave. which stopped a motorist who had driven three blocks on city sidewalks, mowing-down as many pedestrians as possible, from entering the Times Square pedestrian plaza.

Successful Ballot Measures Spell Doom for Transit Funding in Trump's 2018 Budget
President Trump points to the passage of multi-billion ballot measures last November as proof that federal funding isn't needed to fund transit, justifying elimination of a major grants program. The CEOs of two large transit agencies fight back.
Reimagining the Spaces Under Chicago's Skyway
UIC architecture students competed to design improvements for the spaces under Chicago's South Side "Skyway," which carries drivers from the city to and from Northwest Indiana.

Funds Directed to Transit Projects in 2017 Budget May Not Be Allocated
Funding for Caltrain electrification, which Transportation Secretary Chao approved May 22, is one of 21 transit projects receiving funding in the omnibus spending bill that may be contingent on approval from the Trump Administration.

Gas Taxes Advance in New Mexico and Wisconsin in May
The Democratic-controlled New Mexico legislature passed a 5-cents per gallon fuel tax increase and the Republican-controlled Assembly in Wisconsin backed a plan to apply sales tax to fuel, but their Republican governors oppose any tax hikes.

Detroit Making its Streets 'Sticky'
The word "sticky" when applied to the urban design context has come to mean attractive and comfortable—the kind of place that makes people want to stay away and make return visits. Detroit is the latest city to experiment with the concept.

Roanoke Launches a New Bikeshare System
Bikeshare isn't just for the country's largest cities anymore.

Atlanta Commits to 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2035
Atlanta announces its leadership on the issue of renewable energy

California Invented 'Botts' Dots' Raised Pavement Markers—Now it's Phasing Them Out
A staple of the California driving experience will soon be a thing of the past.

California Delta Tunnels Don't Stand Up to Federal Analysis
Federal agencies think the proposed Bay Delta tunnels are still too dangerous for endangered species.

Steep Climb to Raising Louisiana's Gas Tax
A bill to hike Louisiana's gas tax by 17 cents per gallon has advanced, but the state has a "California problem": Tax increases must pass by a two-thirds majority.

Partnerships Drove Napa Flood Control Project
The Napa River's Oxbow bypass doubles as public park space and an outlet when the river floods. The project brought together local environmentalists and the business community.

Activating Artists as an Urban Resource
Planning and art don't traditionally mix, but that's changing. Embedded at NYC's Department of Design and Construction, artist Mary Miss envisions public art as an infrastructural aid.

San Diego Mayor: Recycled Wastewater Program Will Be a Model
Mayor Kevin Faulconer sees San Diego's Pure Water Program as proof of concept for other cities with uncertain water supplies. By 2035, the initiative aims to derive one-third of the city's supply from recycled wastewater.
Pagination
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie