The State of Transit Construction in 2018

Though the Trump Administration isn't likely to be kind to public transit in 2018, it will be a big year for project opening anyway.

1 minute read

January 7, 2018, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


BART Station Construction

Brandon5485 / Wikimedia Commons

Yonah Freemark has released his annual report on the expected transit project openings for the year, showing dozens of projects ready to open around North America in 2018.

"In 2018, 340 route miles of new fixed-guideway transit projects, representing a total investment of $13.2 billion, are expected to open for riders in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada," according to Freemark. Another "366 miles of lines, costing a total of more than $75 billion to build, will be under construction in 2018 but are planned for opening in later years."

In the United States, an extension of Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to San Jose is the most expensive project expected to open in 2018. Four cities will also launch new streetcar routes in 2018—El Paso, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis. Of the many modes of public transit expected to open in 2018, the longest list of projects, and the most miles of new service, falls under "Bus Rapid Transit" (though we know the definition of that term can vary widely).

The report is the tenth edition of the complication of new transit projects, and Freemark offers links to the previous editions. The article announcing the 2018 list also includes a review of 2017's accomplishments. 2017 saw many new transit opening, but 2018 is expected to be more significant in terms of openings.

Friday, January 5, 2018 in theTransportPolitic

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business