Texas state legislators are holding to a promise not to spend voter-approved transportation funds on new toll roads. Local officials are scrambling.
"Texas lawmakers have gone from championing to criticizing toll roads, a shift that some Houston-area leaders worry has gone too far and could limit upcoming projects," reports Dug Begley.
Responding to the growing backlash against toll roads, Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal is quoted in the article saying, "Without toll roads and that funding, I don't know what we are going to do."
Despite the state's continued growth, the Texas Transportation Commission recently pulled the plug on two projects in the Dallas and Austin areas from the state's ten-year transportation plan "because proposed expansions of Interstate 635 and Interstate 35 rely on a mix of state funding and toll revenues," according to Begley's explanation of the decision. Planetizen correspondent Irvin Dawid recently provided thorough coverage of the state government's pushback on toll roads. Begley's coverage focuses more on the options for local officials in the Houston area trying to plan for more growth.
FULL STORY: Pushback on toll roads rankles Houston-area leaders
New, 44-Mile Section of Houston's Grand Parkway Ready for Construction
When the newest section is complete, the Grand Parkway will connect I-69 southwest of Sugar Land, Cinco Ranch and Cypress, unincorporated Harris County and Spring, and Harris, Montgomery, Liberty, and Chambers counties.
Florida Highway Project Faces Opposition From All Sides
Critics worry the proposed 330-mile corridor would encourage sprawl, harm wildlife, and saddle the state with decades of debt.
How Not to Do Growth
The state of Florida is moving forward with the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-Cores) plan to build several new toll expressways in rural parts of the state.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service