The Government Accountability Office will investigate why it costs so much more to build transit in the United States than anywhere else in the world. Perhaps this could be the change of systematic change.
"The astronomical costs of building the Second Avenue subway and other New York public transit projects are now the subject of a federal inquiry," reports Brian M. Rosenthal. The Government Accountability Office will undertake the investigation.
The investigation will include transit projects around the United States, according to Rosenthal, with special attention paid to New York City.
According to Rosenthal, the investigation was enabled by the omnibus spending bill signed last week. The New York Times brought new attention to spending on transit capital investment projects in New York City at the beginning of the year, with a deep investigation of spending on projects like the Second Avenue Subway.
FULL STORY: Why Does Subway Construction Cost So Much? Congress Wants to Find Out
Congressional Report on Transit Spending Stops Short of Accountability
Transit advocates were hoping the U.S. Government Accountability Office was finally going to expose the systematic failures of transit spending in the United States by comparing the practices of other countries.
Who Killed the Federal Study of Transit Costs?
The Government Accountability Office was set to investigate why U.S. transit capital investments are so expensive, especially in contrast to comparable European projects, but that study will not leave the station.
New York MTA Upholds Pause on Congestion Pricing, Scales Back Projects
The agency will not be able to go forward with former plans to improve station facilities and transit safety, and expand service.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
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.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont