Infrastructure

Can Washington D.C. Keep Rolling on Bike Infrastructure?

Bike advocates are concerned that after a "banner year" for bike infrastructure in the nation’s capital, the momentum for bike infrastructure is waning rather than building. How much do these kinds of missed opportunities cost?

March 22, 2015 - WAMU

New York Subway Fares Jump to $2.75 Today

The $2.50 subway fare is set to rise by a quarter, but will service improve? This New York Times article focuses on problems plaguing the 110-year-old New York subway (second oldest after Boston's), but fares are increasing for all MTA services.

March 22, 2015 - The New York Times

Op-Ed: Austin a Shadow of its Former Self

An op-ed by David Heymann produces an elaborate, protracted metaphor of Austin as a former youthful "golden child" now showing the least attractive possible traits of middle age.

March 21, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Charleston Planning a Bike Infrastructure Update

The capital of West Virginia has hired Alta Planning and Design to undertake a ten-month process to update the city's bike and trail plan.

March 21, 2015 - The Charleston Gazette

Idaho Gas Tax Debate Pits Truckers Against Motorists

The Idaho Trucking Association wants to reduce the state's $262 million road and bridge maintenance shortfall by passing a six-cent increase in the fuel tax over three years. The AAA opposes it because most of the bill will fall on motorists.

March 20, 2015 - Idaho Press-Tribune

Santa Monica Pier Parking

They Paved Paradise, Put Up a Parking Lot …

"Big Asphalt" has compromised our health, safety, and welfare—but we can defeat it if we try.

March 20, 2015 - Better Cities & Towns

Estimated Cost of Fixing the Port Authority Bus Terminal: $10 Billion

For those keeping track at home, the Port Authority report that estimated the cost of a new bus terminal in Midtown came in at ten times the original estimate a year ago.

March 19, 2015 - Capital New York

Road Builders Seek Federal Gas Tax and Rebate Plan

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association seeks to pair a gas tax with a repatriation tax that would rebate the revenue to tax filers. ARTBA joined other infrastructure advocates to oppose current efforts to eliminate the gas tax.

March 18, 2015 - AASHTO Journal

Another Republican-Controlled State to Increase its Gas Tax

It will be no April fools joke when motorists pay an extra six-cents per gallon at gas pumps in the Mount Rushmore State on April 1 thanks to actions of the legislature on March 13 and the likely signing of the bill by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

March 18, 2015 - AASHTO Journal

The Tax Foundation's Take on Mileage-Based User Fees

An economist from the Tax Foundation spoke to advocates of a mileage-based user fees. First surprise, he calls it a tax, not a fee. He appears to favor the MBUF over the gas tax, but notes its problems.

March 17, 2015 - Tax Foundation

Night Train

Study: Transit Subsidies Work Best Alone

Research suggests that transit subsidies produce minimal social value when combined with congestion pricing and dedicated bus lanes.

March 17, 2015 - London School of Economics and Political Science - American Politics and Policy Blog

Water Wars Follow the Race to Solve the Southwest's Drought

An op-ed in the New York Times provides a firsthand account of the growing concern over water in a state that has yet to set limits on its explosive growth.

March 16, 2015 - New York Times

Dearborn Street Bike Lane

12 Studies that Make a Case for Converting Parking to Bike Lanes

CityLab has complied a thorough guide of economic impact studies of bike lanes that provides a clear, visual case for removing parking spaces.

March 16, 2015 - CityLab

Utah on Verge of Hiking Gas Tax by 21 Percent

Just before adjourning for the year, the Republican-controlled Utah House and Senate settled on a compromise—increase the gas tax by a nickel; the first hike in 18 years. Gov. Gary Herbert, also a Republican, has indicated he will sign the bill.

March 16, 2015 - The Salt Lake Tribune

If Rail Crossings Can't Be Grade Separated, Can They At Least Be Safer?

That's the question asked by legislation introduced after a Metro-North commuter train slammed into an SUV at a crossing in Valhalla, N.Y., killing six people. More than 200 people die annually in over 2,000 grade crossing crashes.

March 15, 2015 - Progressive Railroading

Change of Venue for Denver's Transit CEO: Los Angeles

Phillip Washington will leave his role as CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District to take the same position at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

March 13, 2015 - Los Angeles Daily News

Wyoming to Finance Out-of-State Coal Ports

The state of Wyoming sees more potential than risk in financing coal industry infrastructure projects in the state of Washington.

March 11, 2015 - KUOW

GPS Technology Chosen for Oregon's Road Usage Charge

Oregon's much heralded mileage fee program, known as OReGO, has selected the technology to record the miles driven by participants. A French and Canadian company will collaborate to provide a telematics road usage charging framework to begin July 1.

March 11, 2015 - Automotive News

Ca73

A Pedestrian's Perspective on Sprawling Orange County

Southern California's Orange County isn't exactly known for its walkability. Frank H. Wu decided to test that notion on a recent carless visit.

March 11, 2015 - Huffington Post

Business, Government, and Infrastructure in Brazil

With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Brazil is at the cusp of major change. Arup's Gustavo Ferreria discusses the role that public-private partnerships are playing in modernizing and expanding the country's infrastructure systems.

March 11, 2015 - Arup Connect

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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